The accused Number 1

 Before taking out the flaws of a person, we should first reflect on ourselves. This is a statement that will be unanimously agreed by one and all. Who knows, perhaps the flaw that you are taking out in the next person, may be found to a greater degree in yourself? You are worried about a beautiful beauty spot on the face of the next person without knowing that you have a big black blemish on your own face. Now if you wish, you may call it "a big blemish". But everyone knows what it is.

We have been committing this error for a long time. We complain about the dilemma of being trampled and enduring difficulties and injustice by others. Have we ever thought how much harm we are causing to our own people (the Muslim community). How much we are stepping on ourselves. A person is unable to live in peace despite being surrounded by his own people. How can we live in harmony with others when we are already like cat and dog among ourselves? Good manners and good character are means that may aid to win over the heart of a person. But due to our bad character and weak attitude, we could not conquer the hearts of our own people. If we could not catch a fish in the aquarium, then how will we fish in a great ocean!

Not everyone on this earth lacks understanding. There are many who are seeking the truth. If we knew how to practice our Deen properly, we could have been living examples that could have encouraged and impressed others. But our actions and behaviours do not reflect what we claim. We call ourselves Muslims but nothing of Islam reflects on us. We resemble others more than ourselves. One’s name should be heard to know who one is. In such a situation, how can we expect people to know that it is Deen that guarantees harmony and peace? However much you may speak, people will be impressed by your behaviour and your way of life and not by your words. If today we are having problems, it is because we did not do our work. We did not practice Islam in our daily lives. People have remained ignorant of Islam and whatever they came to know of, they came to know of it incorrectly. So, to a certain extent, the first offender and the accused number 1 is ourselves, because we have neglected our Deen and we have forgotten our mission. We may say that we made humanity suffer by neglecting our Deen !!!

[English version of "Accusé No 1" – Al Jamiat – Vol.7 No.15]