Being known as a source of inspiration, yet is often used in harmful ways, giving advice is an action that truly needs to be looked into. In today’s societies, giving advice has become such a regular habit that one may not even notice when doing it. Not noticing this ultimately means that one does not realize the effect their advice has on others. Giving advice, a term that refers to any kind of suggestion regarding a possible course of action for another person. Now up until this definition, there are no complications with this certain action however after knowing what giving advice is, one must learn how to give advice effectively in order to receive positive results. Unfortunately in today’s societies, advice is often received from the wrong individuals which may lead to the destruction of the individuals living in that society. This is why the religion of Islam and those who represent it from the Holy Prophets and Ahulbayt AS, revealed the true art of effectively giving advice. Through these messengers, Allah SWT wanted to reveal what giving advice is and what effect it should have, and this is seen numerous times throughout their holy lives. We witness Prophet Muhammed PBUH in one of his holy hadiths linking giving advice with religion as he says: “religion is giving sincere advice.”

Here the prophet PBUH is saying that one of the most important actions in the religion of Islam as giving sincere advice comes out of love and sympathy for others which are all things that Allah SWT wants to be present in a believing Muslim.

Giving advice, like any other action, can be taken on in either a positive or negative manner. Since it has such an immense impact Allah SWT selected specific individuals to advise his creations. These individuals are the prophets and the Ahulbayt AS. Throughout the holy Quran, it has been mentioned numerous times the amount of advice the Prophets gave to their communities, as they were ordered by Allah SWT. In the holy Quran it states “{I am to you a trustworthy adviser.} This holy verse, is relating to Prophet Hud AS as he spoke to his community, and advised them to follow the proper message of Allah SWT. Another verse that mentions the prophet’s advice to their communities is: “{O my people, I had certainly conveyed to you the messages of my Lord and advised you.} This verse is relating to Prophet Shuaib AS and how he delivered the messages of Allah to his community and advised them with sincerity and compassion so that they follow the proper path.

Other individual’s that also happen to be Allah’s messengers that act as a source of advice in everyday life are the Ahulbayt AS. These individuals were placed in society all for the purpose of enlightening minds by providing advice for the sake of the Almighty. They act as a helping hand that leads onto the proper path of one’s time of need and despair and they act as an everlasting light that enlightens even the darkest paths.

Now in today’s society, giving advice is something, which at times can be crucial. However in order for one to give effective advice, one must be sincere and honest with what they say. The advisor should give this advice for the sake of Allah without seeking worldly gain or revealing superiority. Another important aspect to keep in mind when one wants to give advice, is that the advisor should have enough knowledge about the advice he is providing before speaking. The reason behind this is because providing others with advice is a large responsibility that may lead to damaging results if not given properly. The advisor should also pay attention to the type of individual they are speaking to, so that they are able to give appropriate advice depending on the other individual’s thinking process, attitude, age and outlook. One must also be very gentle when giving advice as that acts as a way to convince the other individual to follow their advice. These reasons come together to reveal that giving advice is not something that one should take lightly instead one must pay close attention to what and how the advice they give is portrayed.

In conclusion, it becomes very clear that the idea of giving advice is extremely important and has many rules that need to be followed in order for it to be effective. Through verses from the holy Quran and the life of the Ahulbayt AS, one realizes that Allah SWT sends those who are sincere with their advice to advise the different communities that exist. One also realizes how one should portray the advice they are providing for others as that has a vast impact on society.