Photo: Collected
Imam Ibn Qudamah al-Maqdisi (may Allah have mercy on him) wrote in his book ‘Mukhtasar Minhaj al-Qasidin’ that four paths are open to a person who wants to know his own faults:
1. Sitting in the company of a wise and experienced shaikh. That is, staying close to a scholar or elder who is experienced in the diseases and defects of the soul.
He will point out the faults and also show the way to treat them. In the present age such people are very rare. So if someone finds such a teacher, it should be understood that he has found a skilled physician; he should not leave him.
2. Making a truthful and religious friend one’s critic. One must choose a sincere, prudent and pious friend who will honestly point out one’s mistakes.
3. Learning of one’s faults through the words of an enemy as well. Often an enemy reveals certain defects that a friend keeps hidden.
4. Taking lessons by mixing with people. Not allowing into oneself those behaviours that seem reprehensible or bad in people. Learning from the mistakes of others is also an important means of self-reform.
Four steps of self-reform
1. Correction of the heart: First of all the heart must be purified. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, ‘Know that there is a piece of flesh in the body. If it is sound, the whole body is sound; and if it is corrupt, the whole body is corrupt. Know that it is the heart.’ (Sahih Bukhari)
2. Correction of character and conduct: It is not enough for the heart alone to be good; conduct must also be made beautiful. Allah the Almighty says, ‘And as for him who fears standing before his Lord and restrains his self from evil desire, paradise will be his refuge.’ (Surah An-Naziat, verses 40-41)
3. Accustoming the limbs to good deeds: The influence of the heart and character is expressed through a person’s actions. So the eyes, ears, tongue, hands and feet must be trained in such a way that they are used only in obedience to Allah.
4. Preparing to play a positive role in society: A Muslim does not live merely to eat, sleep and die; he plays a beneficial role in the world for the pleasure of Allah. Allah the Almighty says, ‘Do good deeds, so that you may succeed.’ (Surah Al-Hajj, verse 77)
One should pay attention to one’s own correction rather than staying busy with the faults of others. Be concerned with others only as far as the responsibility Allah has placed on you. Dr Mustafa as-Sibai (may Allah have mercy on him) wrote in his book ‘This Is How Life Taught Me’, ‘When your nafs inclines towards a sin, first remind it of Allah. If it turns back, praise Allah. If it does not turn back, remind it of the character of honourable people. If it still does not turn back, remind it of being disgraced before people. If it still does not turn back, then know that the nafs has reached such a stage that it has become a follower of animal instincts.’
The purpose of this statement is not to insult people; rather it is to convey that when a person loses all forms of moral restraint, namely conscience, faith, good character and a sense of social shame, he begins to move only by following his desires. Islam saves people from this state and calls them towards self-restraint, taqwa and moral advancement. Remember, Allah the Almighty has said, ‘Surely the nafs (human desire) commands only evil.’ (Surah Yusuf, verse 53)
If your nafs wants to keep you from obedience to Allah, then try to keep it from sin. There is nothing more in need of control than one’s own nafs; nor is there any organ more in need of restraint than the tongue and the gaze. These must be strictly controlled so that they do not go down the path of Allah’s displeasure. Can you hope for His mercy while disobeying Allah? One should not hope for His paradise while defying Allah.
Remember, one day you will certainly have to appear before Allah. As you act, so will you be recompensed; the reward is in keeping with the deed. And Almighty Allah does not do the slightest injustice to anyone.
Remember, how many momentary desires have become the cause of lasting humiliation in people’s lives! How many sins there have been because of which a person was deprived of the good fortune of tahajjud for years on end! How many forbidden glances there have been that took away the light of a person’s insight (basirah)!
The greatest punishment of sin
The most terrible punishment of sin is being deprived of the sweetness of worship. Often a person does not even feel it. The reason may be weakness of insight, weakness of faith or hardness of the heart.
Imam Ibn al-Jawzi (may Allah have mercy on him) mentioned a touching incident. He said a wise man of Bani Israil had said, ‘O my Lord! How many times I disobey You, yet You do not punish me!’ Then he was told, ‘I have indeed punished you many times, but you did not realise it. Have I not deprived you of the sweetness of intimate conversation (munajat) with Me?’ (Sayd al-Khatir, page 65)
In conclusion it can be said that self-purification is not the work of a single day; it is a lifelong pursuit. The person who learns to recognise his own faults, sincerely repents, beautifies his heart and character and works for the good of society is the one who truly advances on the path of self-reform.
The teaching of Islam is to make the utmost effort to correct one’s own heart, character and deeds before setting out to look for the faults of others.
