by blood; indeed, blood-relations that are not joined to religion amount to nothing. For this reason Allah said to Noah, when the latter pleaded, “My Lord, my son is of my family, and surely Your promise is true,” that He replied, “He is not of your family; his conduct is unrighteous” (Hūd 11:45–46).

As for the believers, even if their lands are far apart and their languages differ, they remain brothers all the same. A brother must therefore give sincere advice to his brother: pointing out what is good, clarifying it, and inviting him to it.

The second verse is Noah’s own statement—he was the first of the messengers—when he called his people to Allah: “and I give you sincere advice and know from Allah what you do not know” (al-Aʿrāf 7:62); that is, I am neither cheating you nor deceiving you, but rather acting as a sincere adviser.

The third verse is Allah’s words about Hūd: “and I am to you a trustworthy adviser” (al-Aʿrāf 7:68).

In any case, a person is obliged to be a sincere adviser to his brothers, openly showing them what is good and calling them to it, thereby fulfilling the bonds of faith-based brotherhood. Allah alone grants success.

As for the hadiths: 181 – The first is related by Abū Ruqayya Tamīm ibn Aws ad-Dārī (may Allah be pleased with him), who reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Religion is sincere counsel.” We asked, “To whom?” He replied, “To Allah, to His Book, to His Messenger, to the leaders of the Muslims, and to their common folk.” Muslim narrated it.