Who Is a Complete Muslim, Really?

The Prophet ﷺ himself gave us the measure, and Shaykh Waheed Bali has shown that the test is carried out in three places: the tongue, the hand, and hijrah.

Where It All Begins

The Prophet ﷺ himself told us when a Muslim's Islam becomes complete. Shaykh Bali has unfolded that very measure here.

He says: the tongue is an instrument that moves very fast and never gets tired. Once a word slips out, the regret stays for a lifetime.

Someone asks, "How is so-and-so doing?" It slips out of your mouth: "He is extremely careless about the Fajr prayer." The statement is true, but right there it became backbiting.

So the tongue needs a rule: when to speak and when to stay silent. Otherwise this very tongue drags a person to the brink of destruction.

The Shaykh's Explanation

A complete Muslim is the one from whose tongue and hand other Muslims are safe; and the muhajir is the one who gives up what Allah has forbidden.

The rule for the tongue was also given by the Prophet ﷺ: whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak good or remain silent. Imam Nawawi, may Allah have mercy on him, says that before speaking one should think: is there any benefit in it, for the religion or for this world? If not, staying silent is safer.

The account of the hand is the same: no striking anyone with this hand, no writing a complaint against someone unjustly, no shaking hands with a woman who is not permissible to you. And hijrah? The Shaykh says that door is still open today: the sin you have given up, that is your hijrah.

The Evidence: Where the Measure Comes From

الْمُسْلِمُ مَنْ سَلِمَ الْمُسْلِمُونَ مِنْ لِسَانِهِ وَيَدِهِ، وَالْمُهَاجِرُ مَنْ هَجَرَ مَا نَهَى اللَّهُ عَنْهُ

A Muslim is the one from whose tongue and hand Muslims are safe; and the muhajir is the one who gives up what Allah has forbidden. (Sahih Bukhari)Copy

وَلَا يَغْتَب بَّعْضُكُم بَعْضًا

O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allāh; indeed, Allāh is Accepting of Repentance and Merciful. (Surah Al-Hujuraat 49:12 — Saheeh International; meaning of the complete verse)Copy

What to Do

What is backbiting? The Prophet ﷺ said: Mentioning your brother in a way he dislikes. If what is said is true, it is backbiting; if it is false, it is slander. (Sahih Muslim)

1. Pause before you speak: if there is no benefit, silence is better.
2. In someone's absence, do not say anything that would hurt him if he heard it.
3. Do not hurt anyone with your hand; do not shake hands with anyone who is not a mahram.
4. Give up one sin, increase your voluntary worship, stay with dhikr. This is the hijrah of the heart.

Monthly Ruqyah Course

★ 12 live ruqyah sessions ★ A recorded video of every session ★ Separate session notes for every session ★ A diagnosis package worth 500 taka for only 150 taka ★ The opportunity to consult the raqi in a group ★ A separate Telegram group ★ A separate discussion group for brothers and sisters ★ Separate sessions for different problems ★ A guidelines and Q&A segment in every session

The course hadiya is only 490 taka. To join, write Session in a message, and I will send you the form link in sha Allah.

Source: Based on a talk by Shaykh Waheed Abdussalam Bali

Translation and compilation: Raqi Faisal Ahmed Sabit, Al Qur'an Ruqyah Healing Center