Alhamdulillah wa salatu wa salam ala rasulullah (SAW) amma ba’d..Assalamualikum
This is an article of how we, Muslims, treat other Muslims for their shortcomings.
So here a few questions and I want you to answer honestly. How would you react if a Muslim didn't pray 5 times a day, if a Muslim drank alcohol, if a Muslim went to a club and partied, if a Muslim didn't fast in Ramadan, if a Muslimah wasn't on her Hijab or was wearing an inappropriate dress? Be honest because you and I know the answer already. Some of us have already come across such situations, maybe with our friends, relatives, etc. What did we do when we came to know about it? What we normally do is we gave them a big tight lecture telling them “You should not do this otherwise you will burn in Hell” or some of us may spread it to other people (which is backbiting) or some of us remain quiet but think worse than what we say.
Believe me, we are so quick to judge that we ourselves don't realize. At some point in our life, we have judged people, but we should know that our judgement and words can change people's life for the better/worse? The way we approach them, the way we treat them, all of that plays a significant role in their life, in their struggle which we may not be aware of.
Different people have different struggles. You, too, struggled back then but Allah guided you. Maybe your struggles were different. But you, certainly, did struggle. So, don't go around judging people. Rather, try to make them understand politely and advise them. (not like 'You going to Hell') But what do we usually do? Ah, we don't talk to them or stop going out with them (some people even go to the extremes of calling them 'Kafir')
We are one Ummah. They are our Brothers & Sisters in humanity & faith and we cut off with them just because they went to a club? Please don't misunderstand me. I am not trying to say hangout with the people going to clubs. But rather be polite rather than being harsh. Our behaviour doesn't bring them closer to Allah, but rather will take them away. They start thinking Islam to be so 'Strict & Harsh' and 'Out of their league' and they go like 'Since I can never be able to be a good Muslim, so why be one?' And then we will responsible for their astraying away.
We make Islam seem so harsh to them but Allah (SWT) says in the Quran: "Allah intends for you ease, and does not want to make things difficult for you" [2:185] Allah made things so simple for us and we overcomplicate things. We make things more haram than it is.
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “Allah shall forbid the fire from anyone that bears witness truthfully from his heart that there is nothing worthy of worship except for Allah and that Muhammed is his slave and messenger.” [Bukhari and Muslim] So, now tell me who are we to judge people and tell who will go in hell when the Messenger of Allah (SAW) himself said that Allah forbade fire (Hell) for the believers (only believers and no other criteria)?
Don't judge people for their shortcomings. Everyone has shortcomings, even you and I do. Just sit down with them and have a talk. Counsel them politely. Be a nice brother/sister. They need you. Allah made them your friend/relative/family for a reason: to guide them not to push them away.
If I made any mistakes, it was from Shaytan and my own mistakes. If anything you find is useful, is from Allah as He guides whom He wills.
JazakAllahu Khairan. BarakAllahu Fekkum and Salam…