Judge
yourself before you are judged
The importance of self-evaluation
It is suggested to our brothers and
sisters whether beginners, illustrious workers, or responsible
leaders, that they should have a daily period put aside for
self-evaluation and examination. We should realise that all of us
are going to be accountable for our deeds on the Day of Judgement.
It is therefore wise that we continuously assess ourselves in this
world and make amends before that final judgement by Allah when we
will not be given an opportunity to make up for our misdeeds.
The prophet said:
'Everyone starts his day and is a vendor of his soul, either freeing
it or bringing about its ruin.' (Muslim).
'Umar ibn al-Khattab, in one of his famous sayings said:
"Judge yourselves before you are judged, evaluate yourselves before
you are evaluated and be ready for the greatest investigation (the
Day of Judgement)"
1. Did I offer my five daily Salat on time?
Guard stricly your Salat or Prayer, especially the middle prayer;
and stand before Allah submissively (al-Baqarah 2.238).
The Prayer most loved by Allah is Prayer performed on time (Muslim).
2. Am I satisfied with the quality of my Salat?
If a man performs two units of prayer without the distraction of any
worldly thoughts, all his previous sins will be forgiven (Bukhari)
When you stand for Prayer perform your Prayer as if were your last
(Ahmad).
3. How many verses of the Qur'an did I memorise?
Indeed the one who memorises nothing of the Qur'an is similar to a
deserted house (Timidhi)
4. What steps did I take to bring my family closer to Islam?
O you who believe! Save yourself and your family from a fire whose
fuel is men and stones (66:6).
5. How many Salat did I offer in congregation?
A prayer with congregation is twenty-seven times superior to one
performed individually. (Bukhari)
6. What part of the Qur'an did I read with understanding?
Do they not seek to understand the Qur'an, or are their hearts
locked up by them? (47:24)
7. What did I do to fulfil my duty as a da'iyah (caller to Islam)?
Encourage one another in truth, and encourage one another in
patience
(al-Asr 103) Who is better in speech than one who calls to God, acts
righteously and says: I am of those who surrenter [unto Him]. (al
Fusilat 41:33]
8. Have I treated my parents with love and respect and have I given
due consideration to all their needs?
Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you
are to be kind to Parents whether on or both of them attain old age
during your lifetime, say no to them a word of contempt nor repel
them but address them in terms of honour. And out of kindness lower
to them the wing of humility and say: My Lord: bestow on them your
mercy even as they cherished me in childhood (17:23-24)
9. Did I safeguard my tongue from useless speech?
The faith of a man cannot be straight unless his heart becomes
straight and his heart cannot be straight unless his tongue becomes
straight. (Ahmad)
10. Did I commend others for the good things they may have done?
Kind works and the covering of faults are better than charity
followed by injury. Allah is free of all wants and He is Most
Forbearing (2:263)
11. Did I take an interest in my health (diet, exercises, etc)?
Health for one who fears Allah is better than wealth (Hadith)
12 Have I been just in all my dealings?
O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice as witnesses to
Allah even against yourself, or your kith and kin and whether they
be rich or poor, for Allah can best protect both. (al-Nisa 4:135)
13. Did I backbite or slander anyone?
None of you should tell me anything about anyone, for I like to meet
[anyone] of you with a clean heart. (Abu Dawud).
14. What acts of sadaqah did I perform?
There are 360 joints in the body and for each joint you must give a
sadaqah (thanks or charity). (Bukhari)
15. Was I safeguard my eyes from the evil influences of Shaitan?
A gaze is a poisoned arrow from Satan. Whoever abstains from it in
fear of God shall receive from Him an increase in faith, the
sweetness of which he will feel in his hear. (Musnad of ibn Hanbal)
16. What have I read to improve my understanding of Islam?
(Al-Fatir 35:28)
17. Did I save a portion of my wealth?
Make not your hand be chained to your neck nor open it with a
complete opening, lest you become blameworthy and destitute. (al-Isra
17:29)
18. Did I fulfil all my promises?
And fulfil your promise. Verily you will be answerable for your
promises (al-Isra 17:34)
19. Did I make tawbah (seek Allah's forgiveness)?
Allah will continue to hold out His hand at night so that he who
sinned during the day might repent, and to hold out His hand during
the day so that he who sinned at night might repent till the sun
shoud rise from the West. (Muslim)
20. Did I implement what I read and said?
O you who believer! Why do you say that which you do not do?
Grievously hateful is it in the sight of God that you should say
what you do not do. (al-Saif 6x-243)
21. Did I perform my work with proficiency?
Verily Allah loves that when anyone of you does a job, he should
perfect it.
(al-Bayhaqi)
22. Did I reflect on my accountability to Allah on the Day of
Judgement?
And fear the Day when you shall be brought back to Allah. Then shall
every soul be paid what it earned and none shall be dealt with
unjustly (al-Baqarah 2:281)
That day we seal your mouths and hand speak out and feet bear
witness, to all that they did. (Ya-Sin 36:65)
23. Am I satisfied with the way I spent the day?
Wise is the one who continually assesses himself and performs good
deeds for the life after death. Foolish is the one who follows his
desires and entertains very high hopes from Allah. (Timidhi).
'Umar ibn al-Khattab, in one of his famous sayings said "Judge
yourselves before you are judged, evaluate yourselves before you are
evaluated and be ready for the greatest investigation (the Day of
Judgement)"
"The World is three days: As for yesterday, it has vanished,
along with all that was in it. As for tomorrow, you may never see
it. As for today, it is yours, so work in it." (Hassan al-Basri) |
