The Difference between Naseehah (Advising) and Tajreeh (Disparaging)

By Shaykh Saalih bin Fawzaan al-Fawzaan (hafithahullah)
Member of the Major Scholars and Permanent Committee for Religious Rulings
Translated by Aboo Imraan al-Mekseekee may Allah guide him
Source: The Difference between Naseehah and Tajreeh pages 14

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NASEEHAH (ADVISING) AND TAJREEH (DISPARAGING)

The Linguistic and Technical Meaning of the word Naseehah (Advising)

The word Naseehah linguistically indicates something that is pure.

It means purity from everything that is corrupt.

It is said that milk is Naasih (pure) when it is free of impurity.

Therefore the religion that Allah sent to our Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) commands (us to observe) this aspect of Naseehah which is a purity from all that is deceptive, whatever that form of deceit may be.

Whether it occurs in the relations people have, or during counseling sessions, or in their business transactions.

Even during their arguments and disputes, or the rulings given amongst the people all of that is done sincerely without any deceit or its involvement.

Naseehah begins first with Allah which is to believe in Him, and to believe in His names and attributes while worshiping Him the Glorified, the Most High, the one who is alone having no partner. This is the meaning of Naseehah to Allah.

Then there is Naseehah to the Book of Allah. It is to believe that the Quran is the speech of Allah the Glorious, the Most High. To use it as a source of reaching a ruling in order to settle disputes, to adhere to what was revealed within it, to act according to its commands and to leave that which it prohibits.

Then there is Naseehah to the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) which is to believe in him (as the final prophet) and to affirm this belief while loving him and obeying him.

It is to adhere to what he brought and to abandon all of the newly invented matters and innovations that oppose what was revealed to him (صلى الله عليه وسلم). This is the meaning of Naseehah to the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم).