STOP Being a Haram Police
Giving Advice (Naseehah) in Islam
It is a well-known teaching in Islam to give advice — i.e. naseehah — to others, as our Prophet ﷺ reminded us in a hadith recorded in Sahih Muslim and also included in the Forty Hadith of Imam al-Nawawi.
In the hadith, the companions asked the Prophet ﷺ about sincerity, and he replied:
“To Allah, to His Book, to His Messenger, to the leaders of the Muslims, and to their common folk.”
This hadith emphasises that sincerity and sincere advice are fundamental aspects of the faith and of Islamic ethics.
The Problem of Naseehah in the 21st Century
Sadly, we have now reached a time when advice has become so heavy-handed that many Muslims feel repelled and alienated from their communities. Advice today often takes the form of criticism rather than sincere counsel. It has turned into a competition of “who will correct this Muslim first?” rather than a genuine act of kindness and guidance for a fellow believer.
Another problem is the sense of obligation some people feel to “police” others. There is absolutely nothing in Islam that compels Muslims to constantly point out others’ mistakes — especially when the person giving advice is a total stranger. Traditionally, advice is given privately, face-to-face, and with compassion. Yet nowadays, it has become a public performance, often displayed online for everyone to see. This is humiliating, off-putting, and dismissive. It feels like a public ritual of shaming that every Muslim must endure for simply making a mistake.
It is one thing to receive advice from someone close — a family member or friend who knows you — but quite another to be criticised by a stranger who knows nothing about your life, intentions, or circumstances.
Advice vs. Criticism
In Islam, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ emphasised the importance of naseehah as a form of compassion and brotherhood. The goal is always to support and uplift one another. It should be done privately, protecting the dignity of the individual.
While constructive criticism can be part of naseehah, it must always be rooted in sincerity, kindness, and genuine concern for the person’s well-being — not in arrogance or self-righteousness.
There are, however, notable exceptions when it comes to public figures or leaders, especially when their actions affect the community. Classical scholars such as Ibn Taymiyyah and al-Ghazali discussed this matter widely, explaining that when a person holds public power or influence, offering advice or even criticism publicly can be justified. This is because such actions have public consequences, and correcting them openly may prevent harm to society.
These scholars refer to historical examples where companions of the Prophet ﷺ advised or corrected caliphs and governors publicly — provided it was done with sincerity and respect. While no specific hadith mandates public criticism, this principle falls under the Qur’anic duty of enjoining good and forbidding evil (al-amr bil-ma‘ruf wal-nahy ‘an al-munkar).
Constant Bombardment of Criticism Toward New Muslims
New Muslims (reverts) often face relentless criticism from born Muslims — and, sadly, even from other reverts. Many feel pressured to appear “perfect” immediately after embracing Islam, terrified of making mistakes.
This pressure can become so suffocating that some feel driven to leave Islam — not because they misunderstand the faith, but because they feel judged, watched, and unwelcomed by their fellow Muslims. It becomes a constant battle to avoid error or expressing any opinion, as they are often dismissed as “too new to know anything.”
The most troubling part is that many of those giving such “advice” are not even Islamically educated. They rely on assumptions, social media snippets, or emotion, yet feel entitled to correct others harshly. This attitude contradicts the Prophet’s compassion and wisdom in dealing with people.
What To Do If We Must Give Advice
If you truly feel the need to advise someone, remember the Prophet’s example — do so privately and gently. Public correction should be avoided unless there is genuine necessity and benefit, and even then it must be approached with utmost wisdom and respect.
Before giving naseehah, ask yourself: Is my intention pure? Do I genuinely care for this person’s improvement? Will my words bring them closer to Allah or drive them away? If the answer is uncertain, then silence is better than harm. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak good or remain silent.” (Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Lastly, Naseehah is one of the most beautiful and compassionate aspects of Islam when practised correctly. But when mixed with ego, pride, or judgement, it becomes destructive. The purpose of advice is to heal hearts, not break them. So, before rushing to correct others, we should first correct ourselves — with humility, wisdom, and mercy.
