Ramadan 2019/1440: Thought of the Day 20

The quote for Day 20 of Ramadan from my box of things to think about is:

“Remember your own faults before you remember others.”

I could not find a source for this quote, but I did come across the following:

Al-Bukhari reported: Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “If you intend to mention the faults of your companions, then remember your own faults.” (al-Adab al-Mufrad 328).

This is a nice technique for keeping your opinions to yourself if you struggle with this– when you see fault in others, look at yourself and it will discourage you from pointing a finger.  It might even encourage you to improve yourself.

It might not seem like a big thing to see the imperfections of others, but if you think of how important concepts like ummah, service to others and giving each other the benefit of the doubt are in Islam, you start to see why it is so important to refrain from picking faults and instead thinking well of each other.  To do otherwise is to place a burden on our own hearts.

Sayyidunā Abu Bakrah (Radhi Allahu ‘Anh) reports the Messenger of Allāh (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) saying, ‘Indeed, your blood, property and honour are sacred, like the sanctity of this day of yours, in this city of yours. (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ al-Muslim)

Do not hate one another, nor be jealous of one another; and do not desert one another, but O Allah’s worshippers! Be brothers. It is not lawful for a Muslim to desert his brother Muslim (and not to talk to him) for more than three nights.’ (Saheeh Muslim)