The Fear of Criticism
Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem
By Hadhrat Moulana Abdul Hamid Sahib (Daamat Barakaatuhu)
Hadhrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (Rahmatullahi alayh) mentioned that a great malady which has overtaken the people, including the Ulama, is the fear of criticism. No one wants to be criticized. There is the fear: No one must speak ill about me. No one should criticize me. I must remain a favourite of everyone. As such, generally, people don’t want to speak the truth. They keep quiet about the truth.
Hadhrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) explained that the reason for this is Hubbe Jah (Love for fame). The root cause is pride.
Consequently, even Ulama will give talks – and they will give many talks and travel widely to give talks – but very sadly, many will not speak of what is required; what is the pressing priority and need of the hour. Often, the crucial duty of ‘nahy anil munkar’ (prohibiting evil) is avoided. Why? …People will not be happy. People will not speak well of me. I will lose my following and the favours of the people. …Yes, they will be content to speak of what will please the people and will remind and encourage them to be good and do good, as this meets with approval.
Due to this fear of criticism, the Ummah is not being warned of the severe consequences of our disobedience and neglect of Dien nor is the Ummah alerted regarding those who are misinforming and misleading them; who are misrepresenting Dien from a position of authority in Dien. …Because when a person speaks the truth and people don’t like it, they will be quick to say: “You are creating disunity and are the cause of Iktilaaf”, “You are a very controversial man.”, “You are speaking ill of scholars…” and so forth.
These Ulama will not consider the grievous and open wrongdoings of those scholars who are not only going in the wrong direction but are taking people with them. …By not speaking out; not warning and cautioning the people, and leaving them to go down the path of misguidance, such an Aalim falls into the crime of Mudahanat fid Dien (complacency/dishonesty of Dien) and Khiyaanat fid Dien (breach of trust).
When we give a talk, it is not what we want or like to say and what pleases the people. We will have to speak the truth. …As an analogy: There is a pandemic or plague and people are dying in large numbers throughout the world. However, the doctors are averse to treating such patients; instead, they are only treating those who have simple ailments. …Presently, on a global level, the damage to Imaan is colossal. There is the plague and pandemic of Irtidaad which is the terrible consequence of the Kufr which is being promulgated in different ways. There is such an aggressive, intensive and extensive attack on Imaan. We see it with LGBTQ, Interfaith, Ribaa (Usury/Interest), Secularism, Feminism and other isms. However, we don’t want to touch on these subjects let alone prevent and prohibit them since a majority welcome a liberal version of Islam and we are seeking a following.
To win over the people and be a favourite, we evade matters which will invite censure and prefer to ‘safely’ encourage towards good deeds, good qualities, etiquette and respect – and no doubt, we have to speak about these aspects of Dien. However, we don’t venture near what needs to be urgently addressed though we see that people are dying spiritually and destroying their Aakhirah.
It is said that anger is the illegitimate child of pride. Similarly, not speaking the truth is another of the offspring of pride. The silence is so evident…. Never do I tell you: You have made this mistake. Never do you tell me that I am doing something wrong. …I call you Haji Sahib, you call me Molvi Sahib. I don’t take out any faults of yours and you don’t take out any faults of mine. We will just praise each other and live in a ‘bubble’.
This is because the concern is how the people will respond to us and how we can remain prominent and influential and continue to receive their gifts. We don’t seem remotely bothered that we are hurting the heart of Rasulullah Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam or that we are trampling on the Commands of Allah Ta’ala and the Sunnah.
…When this is the approach: I must not upset the applecart. I must not rock the boat. No one should take offence. All must be happy with me and praise me. I must be in everyone’s good books. All must be in my good books. I cannot sacrifice my popularity, I cannot forfeit the first class and business class travel and other material comforts, etc. Allah Ta’ala says that we should wait for His Command to come to pass.
“Say (O Muhammad Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam), ‘If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your relatives, wealth which you have obtained, commerce wherein you fear decline, and dwellings with which you are pleased are more beloved to you than Allah and His Messenger and jihad in His cause, then wait until Allah executes His Command. And Allah does not guide the defiantly disobedient people.’”
[Surah At-Taubah 9 : 24]
In the Tafsier, it is explained that people are generally subdued by the love of family and material possessions. If this love dominates and overpowers one’s Dien, then there is the warning of punishment. Just as the love of wealth (hubbe maal) has its severe repercussions on a person’s Dien, the same ramifications follow the love for name and fame (hubbe jah). On the other hand, a clear sign of the Love of Allah Ta’ala and His Rasul Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam is that a person will safeguard the Shari’ah and Sunnah and defends it at all cost. The person will not be deterred by the dissatisfaction and criticism of people.
We can see what is happening. As long as we can, we should advise and caution. Rasulullah Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam said: “Whoever among you sees evil, let him change it with his hand. If he cannot do so, then (let him change it) with his tongue. If he cannot do so, then with his heart, which is the weakest level of faith.”[1]
True friendship is that in a polite, suitable way, we advise and correct the person. If, for example, the person’s pants is below his ankle or his beard is not one fist length, explain: “Brother, this is not right. This is displeasing to Allah Ta’ala and His Rasul Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam. Come let us work together in improving our Dien and our connection with Allah Ta’ala and Rasulullah Sallallaahu ‘alayhi Sallam…”
Allah Ta’ala describes the relationship among the Believers as:
“The believers, men and women, are Auliya (helpers / friends / supporters / protectors) of one another, they enjoin (on the people) Al-Ma’ruf (that which Islam orders one to do), and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar (that which Islam has forbidden)…”
[Surah At-Taubah 9 : 71]
This is friendship. …I am not offended when a weakness of mine is pointed out and you don’t take offence when I inform you of any weakness. How many of us adopt this approach when it comes to matters of Dien? …If some food particle is caught in a friend’s beard, we will immediately bring it to his attention or remove it ourselves. However, when it comes to him being caught in a fitnah – in a trial and tribulation – that will destroy his Dien, we are silent. We don’t make an effort to prevent or protect him.
As Hadhrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (Rahmatullahi alayh) explained; this fear of criticism is due to Takabbur and Hubbe Jah. …Sadly, the learned are themselves suffering very much from these ailments. If no effort is made to rectify ourselves, these spiritual maladies will bring about humiliation and disgrace. May Allah Ta’ala purify and protect us.
In this path of truth, there should be no fear of censure and criticism. …Whoever follows the path of the Ambiyaa (Alaihimus Salaam) will have to also deal with some degree of rejection and reproach from the people, as the Ambiyaa (Alaihimus Salaam) did. May Allah Ta’ala grant us the courage to stand for the truth, promote the truth and be steadfast on the truth.
[1] Sahih Muslim
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