So Allah said:

“O you wrapped in your cloak,
arise and warn,
and magnify your Lord,
and purify your garments,
and shun idols,
and do not give in order to receive more,
and be patient for the sake of your Lord.”

He began the verses commissioning him to convey the message to creation with the command to warn, and ended them with the command to be patient. Warning itself consists of enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong. Thus, it is clear that patience is required afterward. He also said:

“Be patient with your Lord’s decree, for you are under Our eyes.”

And He, Most High, said:

“Be patient with what they say, and leave them graciously.”

“So be patient, as were the messengers of firm resolve.”

“So be patient with your Lord’s decree, and do not be like the companion of the fish.”

“And be patient; your patience is only through Allah.”

“And be patient, for Allah does not let the reward of those who do good go to waste.”

These three qualities are therefore indispensable: knowledge, gentleness, and patience. Knowledge comes before enjoining and forbidding, gentleness accompanies it, and patience follows it—although all three must remain present throughout these stages. This accords with a report from some of the early generations, which has also been narrated with attribution to the Prophet. Judge Abū Ya‘lā mentioned it in al-Mu‘tamad:

“None should enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong unless he understands what he enjoins and understands what he forbids; is gentle in what he enjoins and gentle in what he forbids; and is forbearing in what he enjoins and forbearing in what he forbids.”

It should be understood that the requirement to possess these qualities when enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong proves difficult for many people. A person may therefore imagine that this absolves him of the duty and abandon it. Such abandonment harms him more than enjoining without these qualities—or