It’s important for us to always try and better ourselves. As such, taking good advice from
others is crucial. At the same time, if you see that someone you know can use your advice,
it’s equally important to help them. However, there is a certain way in which the nasiha
(advice) should be given.

Sincere intention: As with every other action,  your intention before advising
someone should be sincere. If you’re doing it to make yourself look better than the other
person or to simply make the other person look bad, there’s really no point.

Give the nasiha privately: Failure to do so will embarrass the person you’re trying to help.
Furthermore, remember that if you hide the flaws of others, Allah subhana wa ta’ala will
safeguard yours.

Be kind: “Kindness is not to be found in anything but that it adds to its beauty, and it is not
withdrawn from anything but it makes it defective.” [Muslim] If your words are harsh, the
person is more likely to get offended than he or she is to heed the advice.

The most important thing to remember is that you should treat others the way you would want to be
treated—give advice in the same manner that you would want to hear it, and in such a way
that the person understands the point that you’re trying to make and that you mean well.