1.   He encourages others to do good whilst doing good himself.

2.   He prevents others from committing evil whilst refraining from it himself.

3.   He maintains the boundaries ordained upon him by Allah.”

The imam then stated, “Become someone who is distant from the world and strives for the Hereafter! Be truthful to Allah in all your affairs. If you do this, you will attain salvation!”^[1]

Dear Islamic brothers! How great and beneficial is this advice! May Allah grant us the ability to act upon it.

اٰمِیْن بِجَاہِ النَّبِیِّ الْاَمِیْن صلَّی اللہ عَلَیْہِ واٰلہٖ وسلَّم  

We learn from this faith-refreshing account of Imam Shāfiʿi رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه that he was passionate about inviting others towards goodness. Imam Shāfiʿi رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه did not come to teach and was only passing by, but still he highlighted how to do wuḍū correctly. We thus learn: a muballigh is a muballigh no matter where he is.

In order for us to invite others to goodness, it is not necessary that we only do this when carrying out specific good deeds, or only when travelling in Madani qafilahs. Whenever we see evil, we must invite towards goodness with wisdom and beautiful character, and forbid the bad we come across.

Imam Shāfiʿi رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه gave some beautiful pieces of advice. He explained that he who encourages others to do good whilst doing good himself, prevents others from committing evil whilst refraining from it himself, and is wary of the boundaries and commands of Allah; such a person’s faith is complete.