In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Shaikh Andullaah Al-Bukhaari [hafidhahullaah] was asked to give advice to those who are returning to their countries – especially non-Muslim countries – during summer vocations, so the Shaikh stated:

Firstly, everyone should fear Allaah and fulfil servitude to Allaah, whether one is living in the Muslim land or not. Wherever one is, he should be a slave of Allaah. Allaah said: [يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِ وَلاَ تَمُوتُنَّ إِلاَّ وَأَنْتُمْ مُسْلِمُونَ – O you who believe! Fear Allah (by doing all that He has ordered and by abstaining from all that He has forbidden) as He should be feared. [Obey Him, be thankful to Him, and remember Him always], and die not except in a state of Islam (as Muslims) with complete submission to Allah]. [Surah Aal Imraan. Aayah 102]

Fulfil that which Allaah has commanded and keep away from that which Allaah has forbidden…. Be a good example for others – those in your house, city district etc. Do not just speak, rather be what you say in reality. Be upon the Sunnah and manners of the Messenger…. Be a man who is Saaleh [righteous] and Muslih [a person who follows the paths of sound rectification] – in yourself and for others; adhere to knowledge and call to it with your manners and deeds…look at when rain falls down, it benefits and thus brings forth every kind of lovely growth (plants).

Be a student of knowledge- benefiting others, being Mubaarak wherever you may be, meaning benefitting others, teaching people good. This is what a student should be whether he returns to his land during summer or other than that; whether in his land or other than it; must be a student upon lofty manners – well-mannered in his relationship with Allaah- whether in private or public, and good mannered with the people; exalting the Sunnah and following it; teaching the people good…this is what we advise you and advise ourselves…

A person should not be the reason behind people’s rejection of the truth, either due to bad manners or an evil he commits openly, so be careful! Some people may come with an affair which one cannot declare Haraam or Makrooh, however it is deemed ugly or repugnant by people who possess upright souls and sound natural disposition.

My sons, Allaah bore witness for the Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam], saying:

وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلى خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ

And verily, you (O Muhammad) are on an exalted standard of character.

Therefore, it is incumbent upon us to have good manners. Ibn Seereen [rahimahullaah] said, “We used to learn upright guidance [or good etiquettes, manners] just as we used to seek knowledge”.

Read the biographies of the scholars, the virtuous people and the khulafaa, for they used to go to the possessors of good etiquettes [or manners] to teach them good etiquettes etc. And due to the greatness and importance of this subject matter, the Imaams of Islaam authored books on this subject matter.

My sons, do not be a reason behind the people’s rejection of the truth, for this is something that occurs. Your seeking knowledge should get you closer to the people and not distance you from them; and none humbles himself to Allaah except that Allaah raises him as the Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] stated.. Be careful, humility is a great affair related to manners.

Complaints have been made regarding some students – that they look down on the common people. Why this behaviour?! Why this lack of humility?! A student of knowledge should have noble manners by way of his actions before his statements. Why are you not humble? You contradict the guidance of the Messenger [in this affair of good manners]: [لَقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ – Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad) you have a good example to follow]. [surah Al-Ahzaab. Aayah 21]

It is incumbent upon you to know the meaning of Ittibaa – adherence to the Sunnah of the Messenger, the Prophet’s statements and deeds in all his affairs. The most comprehensive definition of the Sunnah is that which has been narrated with authentic chains of transmission regarding his statements, deeds, tacit approvals and characteristics etc Why do you not be like this?!

Also know that there might be infiltrators within the ranks of Taa’ifatul Mansoorah [the victorious group] and Firqatun Naaji’yah [The Saved Sect] in general, and I don’t mean specific individuals…therefore be upon  clarity and do not accompany everyone…

Paraphrased: Listen full audio here: http://elbukhari.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/fawaid_sawtiyah_sh_albukhary_182.mp3