for battle. “Al-fazaʿah” carries a similar meaning. “Maẓānnu ʾl-shayʾ” denotes the places where something is thought likely to be found. “Al-ghunaymah”—with a ḍamma on the ghayn—is the diminutive of ghanam (sheep). “Al-shaʿfah,” with a fatḥah on both the shīn and ʿayn, refers to the summit of a mountain.

70 – Chapter: The excellence of mingling with people, attending their Friday and congregational prayers, participating in occasions of good, joining their gatherings of remembrance, visiting their sick, attending their funerals, supporting their needy, guiding their uninformed, and fulfilling other communal interests—for anyone who is able to enjoin what is right, forbid what is wrong, restrain himself from harming others, and patiently endure whatever harm comes his way.

Know that mixing with people in the manner just described is the preferred course. It was the practice of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, of all the prophets (peace and blessings be upon them), the Rightly Guided Caliphs, the Companions, the Successors, and the scholars and righteous who came after them. It is the view held by the majority of the Successors and those who followed them, and it is the position of al-Shāfiʿī, Aḥmad, and most jurists (may Allah be pleased with them all). Allah the Exalted says, “Cooperate with one another in righteousness and piety” ⦗al-Māʾidah: 20⦘, and many other verses convey the same meaning and are well-known.

71 – Chapter: Humility and lowering the wing to the believers

Allah the Exalted says, “And lower your wing to the believers who follow you” ⦗26:215⦘.

He also says, “O you who believe, whoever among you turns away from his religion, Allah will bring a people whom He loves and who love Him, humble toward the believers, strong against—”