Always keep in mind that people have different levels of understanding, because of their background, education, and other factors.

In this brief reminder, Sheikh Hamza Yusuf cites several examples from the time of the Prophet, peace be upon him, and reflects on our current times.

The Prophet, peace be upon him, during his early period, the way that he treated people was very different from his later period, not because he changed, but because the level of consciousness and awareness of the people had changed.

So for instance, there are many hadiths in which the Prophet, peace be upon him, excused the most gross breaches of courtesy.

During the time of the Prophet, peace be upon him, there was somebody who yanked his coat.

He was a bedouin man, and he literally yanked his coat.

The Prophet, peace be upon him, was light skinned, and because of that a red mark appeared on his neck.

And the Prophet, peace be upon him, smiled and dealt with this man in a very beautiful way, partly because he understood he was a bedouin, and the bedouins are very rough in their behavior.

But partly because people are ignorant, and when people are ignorant there is a different level of understanding.

Muslims Today

Muslims today have distanced themselves so far from some basic teachings, that to apply the same hadiths that we find in the Sunnah of the Prophet, peace be upon him, that relate to a later time now would be a gross injustice.

This is something that takes knowledge and discernment of understanding the situation, the level of the person that you are talking to of who is in front of you.

There are many people who have tape recorders and they have pre-recorded messages that they are going to deliver.

It does not matter who you are, it does not matter what your level of education is, this person who is a da’ee will come and will click, turn on a cassette that is in his brain, and the same thing will come out…

Don’t miss this excellent reminder by Sheikh Hamza Yusuf.