Introduction
In this chapter it is intended to draw our attention to a specific shortcoming. Just as most educated Muslims and Ulama of the day have neglected the duty of Tableegh work, similarly there are those who preach Islam to others through speech and by writings, but they neglect practising what they say. In fact they, as preachers, should worry more about reforming themselves than to reform others. Rasulullah ﷺ has strictly forbidden such people to preach who are themselves guilty of sin.
On the night of Mi’raaj, Rasulullah ﷺ saw a group of people whose lips were being clipped with burning scissors. When he asked who they were, Jibreel عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ said that these people preached to others but did not act on what they preached. A Hadith says: “Some of the people of Jannah will ask those in Jahannam: ‘How is it that you people are here, whereas we followed your preaching, and got into Jannah?’ They will answer: ‘We did not practice ourselves what we preached to others.’” Another Hadith says: “The punishment of Allah Ta’ala will come down more quickly upon the evil Ulama than on the common sinners. They will be surprised to see this, and will say: “Why is the punishment of Allah Ta’ala coming upon us before even the idol worshipers?” The answer they will receive is that: “Those who committed sins in spite of having the knowledge of Deen are more guilty than those who did not have this knowledge.” The pious elders have written that the dawat of those who do not practise Deen themselves, cannot leave an impression on others. That is why Deeni talks, writings and articles today have no effect on the listeners and the readers. Allah Ta’ala says in the Qur-aan Shareef:
Translation: “Do you command people to do good but forget your own selves, even though you read the Book? Don’t you understand?” (Surah Baqarah – Aayah 44)
Rasulullah ﷺ said:
Translation: “On the Day of Qiyaamah, no one will be permitted to move one step until he is asked four questions: (1) How did he spend his life? (2) What use did he make of his youth? (3) How did he earn his wealth and (4) where did he spend it? (5) How much did he act upon his knowledge?”
Hadhrat Abu Darda رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says: “The thing I fear most on the Day of Qiyaamah is the question that I will be asked in front of all the people: ‘Did you act upon the knowledge that you had?’” One of the Sahaabah of Rasulullah ﷺ asked him: “Who is the worst of all creation?” He answered: “Don’t ask me questions about bad things, but ask me good things. The worst of all creation are the evil Ulama, (i.e. those who do not practise what they say).” Rasulullah ﷺ says in another Hadith: “Knowledge is of two types: One which remains on the tongue and does not affect the heart and the other which goes into the heart and benefits the rooh (soul) and that is the useful type.” A Muslim should not only learn the knowledge of the external ibaadat (e.g. Salaat, reciting the Qur-aan Shareef, etc.) but also the knowledge of the inner self which would purify his heart and enlighten . We will be questioned on the Day of Qiyaamah as to how much we acted upon our knowledge. Similar warnings are found in several other Ahaadith. Therefore, I would request all the people doing the work of Tableegh to reform their outer and inner-selves and to practise themselves what they preach to others, otherwise only preaching without amal (practicing) cannot be accepted by Allah Ta’ala, as has been shown by various Aayaat of the Qur-aan Shareef, as well as the Ahaadith of Rasulullah ﷺ . I make dua to Allah Ta’ala that He should enable me to also improve myself externally and internally and practise what I preach, for I totally depend upon His favours to hide my shortcomings.
Translation: Except that Allah Ta’ala will envelope me in His encompassing mercy