will observe the person, and if he notices that he is inclining toward one of the two alternatives—or one of the two opinions—he rushes to recommend that very option. He says, “I prefer to go along with whatever he feels suits him.” This is a serious error—indeed, a betrayal. When someone seeks your advice, you are obliged to tell him what you believe is right and beneficial, whether it pleases him or not. If you do that, you are a sincere adviser and have fulfilled your responsibility. Should he accept your counsel and deem it correct, so much the better; and if he does not, your liability is discharged.
Anything else is treachery, and you may also draw a mistaken conclusion: you might assume he wants a certain outcome when, in truth, he does not. In that case you lose on two counts:
- Faulty understanding.
- Faulty intent.
The Prophet’s (peace and blessings be upon him) saying “No” shows that there is nothing objectionable in a person’s using the word “no”; it carries no impoliteness whatsoever.
Indeed, the Prophet (peace be upon him) used the word “no.” Another illustration is when Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) was lagging behind because his camel had become exhausted and the Prophet caught up with him. It was the Messenger’s habit—as the shepherd of his community—not to walk ahead of them but behind them, so that if anyone needed something he could help him. Behold the humility and the excellence of his care: when he reached Jabir—whose camel had grown weary—the Prophet, peace be upon him, tapped the camel