Allah says:
“And lower your wing to those who follow you among the believers.”
(Qur’an 26:215)
Meaning: treat them with gentleness, speak kindly to them, show affection toward them, endear yourself to them, and display good character and complete kindness toward them.
The Prophet ﷺ practiced this, as Allah also said:
“So by mercy from Allah you were gentle with them. If you had been harsh and hard-hearted, they would have dispersed from around you. So pardon them, ask forgiveness for them, and consult them in the matter.”
(Qur’an 3:159)
These were the manners of the Prophet ﷺ, the most perfect manners, through which tremendous benefits are achieved and many harms are prevented.
So is it appropriate for someone who believes in Allah and His Messenger and claims to follow and emulate him to be harsh toward the Muslims, aggressive in character, severe toward them, hard-hearted, harsh in speech, and rough in behavior?
Then if he sees from them a sin or bad conduct, he abandons them, despises them, and hates them, having no gentleness, no proper conduct, and no divine guidance.
Through this type of treatment many harms occur and many benefits are lost.
Yet you may find him belittling the one who possesses the qualities of the noble Messenger, accusing him of hypocrisy or compromise.
Meanwhile he elevates himself, considers himself complete, and becomes impressed with his own deeds.
Is this anything other than ignorance and the deception and beautification of Shayṭān?
For this reason Allah said to His Messenger:
“But if they disobey you…”
(Qur’an 26:216)
Meaning: if they disobey you in some matters, do not disassociate yourself from them and do not stop treating them with gentleness and kindness.
Rather, disassociate from their actions, admonish them concerning it, sincerely advise them, and exert your effort to turn them away from it and guide them to repentance.
This clarification removes the misunderstanding of those who think that the statement “Lower your wing to the believers” means approving everything they do as long as they are believers.
This explanation clarifies that misunderstanding.
And Allah knows best.
تيسير الكريم الرحمن في تفسير كلام المنان