📖 Narrated by Tamim ad-Dari (RA):
> The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“The religion is sincere advice (al-dīn al-naṣīḥah).”
We said, “To whom, O Messenger of Allah?”
He ﷺ said:
“To Allah, His Book, His Messenger, the leaders of the Muslims, and their common people.”
(Sahih Muslim 55)
This profound hadith summarizes the entire religion in a single concept: naṣīḥah (sincere advice or sincerity). Scholars describe it as one of the great principles of Islam, encompassing the relationship between a believer and Allah, the Qur’an, the Prophet ﷺ, and fellow Muslims.
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1. The Meaning of “Al-Dīn al-Naṣīḥah”
The Prophet ﷺ said, “The religion is sincere advice.”
The Arabic word naṣīḥah means more than advice—it implies sincerity, goodwill, and pure intention.
It comes from “naṣḥ,” which means to purify, as in purifying honey from wax.
Thus, naṣīḥah means a pure, genuine attitude toward others—free from deceit, selfishness, or hypocrisy.
👉 Lesson: Islam is built upon sincerity—purity of heart, truthfulness in speech, and goodwill in action.
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2. Sincerity to Allah (Naṣīḥah lillāh)
To have naṣīḥah for Allah means:
Believing in Him alone (Tawḥīd), worshiping none besides Him.
Loving what He loves and hating what He forbids.
Being sincere in acts of worship—without showing off (riyā’).
Trusting His decree and submitting to His commands.
It is not that Allah needs our advice, but rather that we fulfill our duty to Him sincerely.
👉 Lesson: The first level of naṣīḥah is pure devotion and loyalty to Allah in belief, intention, and action.
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3. Sincerity to His Book (Naṣīḥah likitābih)
Sincerity to the Qur’an includes:
Believing it is the word of Allah, uncreated and perfect.
Reciting it regularly with reflection.
Acting upon its commands and avoiding its prohibitions.
Defending it from distortion or misinterpretation.
Teaching it to others with sincerity.
The Qur’an is not just to be read—it is to be lived.
👉 Lesson: True sincerity to the Qur’an
is seen in how it shapes our lives, not just our tongues.
4. Sincerity to His Messenger (Naṣīḥahlirasūlih)
Sincerity to the Prophet ﷺ includes:
Believing in his message.
Obeying his commands and avoiding what he forbade.
Loving him more than oneself and all others.
Defending his Sunnah from distortion or neglect.
Spreading his message with wisdom and compassion.
It also means following his Sunnah in daily life and showing respect when his name is mentioned.
👉 Lesson: Loving and obeying the Prophet ﷺ is part of sincerity to Allah. His teachings guide us to truth.
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5. Sincerity to the Leaders of the Muslims (Naṣīḥah li a’immat al-Muslimīn)
This includes rulers, scholars, and those in positions of authority.
For rulers: Praying for their guidance, advising them privately, and obeying them in good (not in sin).
For scholars: Respecting their knowledge, learning from them, and supporting their efforts to teach truth.
Naṣīḥah does not mean rebellion or public humiliation—it means constructive advice rooted in sincerity, wisdom, and compassion.
👉 Lesson: True advice is meant to reform, not to shame. Sincere hearts seek reform, not rebellion.
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6. Sincerity to the Common Muslims (Naṣīḥah li ‘āmmatihim)
This includes all fellow believers.
Naṣīḥah toward them means:
Wishing good for them as you wish for yourself.
Helping them in need.
Teaching them truth.
Avoiding cheating, backbiting, or envy.
Being compassionate, forgiving, and supportive.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim; he does not oppress him, abandon him, lie to him, or humiliate him.” (Muslim)
👉 Lesson: The Muslim community should be built on mutual love, sincerity, and brotherhood.
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7. The Comprehensive Nature of Naṣīḥah
This single word covers every aspect of Islam:
Relationship with Allah → sincerity in worship.
Relationship with revelation → obedience and reflection.
Relationship with the Prophet ﷺ → love and following.
Relationship with leaders → wise and loyal counsel.
Relationship with people → honesty and compassion.
👉 Lesson: Naṣīḥah is not just advice—it is the spirit of Islam in all interactions.
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8. The Significance in Daily Life
This hadith guides every believer:
In worship: Focus on sincerity.
In knowledge: Share truth sincerely.
In leadership: Advise with honesty.
In community: Wish good for all.
Where naṣīḥah exists, hypocrisy disappears; where it is absent, society becomes corrupt.
👉 Lesson: A sincere heart builds trust and unity; an insincere heart spreads division.
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9. Scholarly Reflections
Imam al-Nawawi said: “This hadith is among the greatest of Islam; it encompasses all forms of goodness.”
Ibn Rajab wrote: “Naṣīḥah is the essence of religion, as hypocrisy is its opposite.”
Scholars agree: Without sincerity, deeds lose their value.
👉 Lesson: Naṣīḥah is the soul of every good deed.
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CONCLUSION:
The Prophet ﷺ summarized the entire religion in one word: naṣīḥah—sincere devotion, truthful counsel, and pure intentions. It governs our relationship with Allah, His Book, His Messenger, leaders, and all people.
Where sincerity exists, faith flourishes; where it is lost, religion becomes empty ritual.
Thus, every believer must live by this principle: be sincere in all things—for Allah, His Messenger, and His creation.
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