you offer sincere counsel to those whom Allah has placed over your affairs.”
In the Sunan collections (1), on the authority of Zayd ibn Thābit and Ibn Masʿūd—both jurists among the Companions—the Prophet ﷺ said:
“May Allah brighten the face of anyone who hears a report from us (2) and conveys it to one who has not heard it. For it may be that a person carries jurisprudence without being a jurist, and that he carries it to someone more learned than he is. Three things against which a Muslim’s heart will not harbour rancour: devoting one’s deeds sincerely to Allah, offering sincere counsel to the leaders, and staying with the community of the Muslims—for their collective supplication encompasses those behind them.”
His words “will not harbour rancour” mean that no malice clings to them; the Muslim heart does not detest these qualities but loves and approves of them.
The first point I shall address under this principle concerns myself (3). You know—may Allah be pleased with you—that I do not wish anyone from the general body of Muslims—much less our own companions—to be harmed in any way whatsoever (4), whether inwardly or outwardly. I harbour no reproach or blame toward any of them at all. On the contrary, they enjoy with me honour and esteem, love and veneration many times greater than before, each according to his rank.