Q: How should we understand and apply this narration, what is the correct method to practice it?
عن أبي قلابة، أن أبا الدرداء مر على رجل قد أصاب ذنبا، فكانوا يسبونه، فقال: أرأيتم لو وجدتموه في قليب ألم تكونوا مستخرجيه؟ قالوا: بلى، قال: فلا تسبوا أخاكم واحمدوا الله الذي عافاكم ، قالوا: أفلا تبغضه؟ قال: إنما أبغض عمله، فإذا تركه فهو أخي
Abu Qilabah (rahimahullah) narrates that Abud Darda (radiyallahu ‘anhu) once passed by a man who had committed a sin and the people were cursing him. So he said: “Tell me, if you were you to find him in a deep well wouldn’t you bring him out?” When they replied in the affirmative, he said: ‘Then do not curse your brother and praise Allah who protected you.’ They asked, ‘Don’t you hate him?’ He replied: ‘I only hate his wrong doing, but when he abandons it then he is my brother.'”
This statement of Sayyiduna Abud Darda (radiyallahu ‘anhu) is recorded in Musannaf ‘Abdur Razzaq and Shu’abul Iman. (Musannaf ‘Abdur Razzaq: 20267, Shu’abul Iman: 6264) The narrators are reliable.
A: Advise him and don't despise him.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
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