Ibn Al-Qayyim said, “ Whoever shames his brother for a sin, he WILL be tested with the same sin“



We have often heard our elders say don't judge others, yet sadly we continue doing it - myself being guilty of it! A few weeks back someone shared a video and after watching it I thought as always I'll try not to judge others. Subhan Allah, humans as we are, we soon forget and repeat our mistakes over and over. 





But Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim gave a whole new and deeper dimension to why we shouldn't shame others for their shortcomings. These words lingered with me in the back of my mind for a long time but Subhan Allah it really hit home for me a few days ago... I did something that I felt guilty about and asked Allah for forgiveness and tawfeeq not to repeat it. But I kept thinking to myself how did I end up doing it while all along I used to look down upon others for doing the same thing, and then this saying of Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim hit me "Whoever shames his brother for a sin, he WILL be tested with the same sin". I realized for the first time that Subhan Allah I was being tested by the same sin! 

It's one thing to listen to a piece of advice and try to act on it but it's a completely different feeling once you've internalized that advice that shakes up your core. I am grateful to Allah that He granted me this insight and hopefully, this reminder will remain with me for the rest of my life. Video and its transcript have been shared below - hoping others can benefit from it too in sha' Allah.




Summary of the attached clip:

Ibn Al-Qayyim said, “ Whoever shames his brother for a sin, he will be tested with the same sin“. Therefore, if you hear/see a sin from another person, say “ may Allah (SWT) forgive us and them.“

Ibn Umar ( may Allah be pleased with him ) said “ wallahi, I fear if I shame a woman for her pregnancy, I’d end up pregnant “ 

Don’t sit and watch people, and look for their fault and don’t expose them or spy on them. Instead, work on yourself and fix your faults first. Remember, you will only be asked about yourself, not others. Don’t look down upon so and so because his son is not praying or is drinking, and don’t shame so and so because her daughter is not wearing hijab in public. You do not know the suffering of their parents in raising them, and the effort and dedication they put in to guard them. 

Don’t you know, the son of Prophet Nuh ( AS ) is in hellfire? and the father of Prophet Ibrahim ( AS ) is also in hellfire? So stop assuming destinies and translating intentions. Instead, focus on yourself and those whom you’re responsible for. Today, you might be righteous and tomorrow you might end up with a bad ending. Remember, the hearts of humans are between the fingers of Allah (SWT). They turn like the turning of boiling water. Always make sure to ask yourself who guided you and what situation you’re in. 

So if you see something you don’t like in someone, say : 

‎الحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي عَافَانِي مِمَّا ابْتَلَاكَ بِهِ، وَفَضَّلَنِي عَلَى كَثِيرٍ مِمَّنْ خَلَقَ تَفْضِيلًا
Translation: Praise be to Allah (SWT), who had saved me from what he had afflicted them with, and for honoring me as of a many of his creations. 

and then say rabbi aslahum wa sabithna
Translation: O Allah, guide them and keep us steadfast. 

or you can say
‎ثَبِّت قَلْبِي عَلَى دِيْنِكَ ‎يا مُقلِّبَ القُلُوْبِ
Translation: O Turner of the hearts, keep my heart upon your religion.

Abu Hanifa (may Allah be pleased with him) had an alcoholic neighbor who when he tried to advise him on so many occasions until he got tired and left him. One day, the wife of the alcoholic man knocked on the door of Abu Hanifa, telling him that her husband had passed away and that she wants him to pray for his Janazah, but Abu Hanifa refused. Later that day, Abu Hanifa SAS then saw the man in his dream walking between the gardens of heaven saying, “ Tell Abu Hanifa that alhamdulillah Jannah wasn’t on his hands “. When Abu Hanifa woke up, he rushed to the wife of the deceased and asked, “ how was he before his death? “ She said “ He was the same as you knew him, except that every Friday, he used to feed the orphans and say “ pray for your uncle” “ It could be the dua of one of the orphans. Hearing this, Abu Hanifa had a deep regret. 

So my dear sister, do not shame the people of sins and look down on them. We all are under the cover of Allah (SWT) and if he was to remove that cover, we would all be exposed. Don’t be proud of your plentiful prayers and fasts because you don’t know who is closer to Allah (SWT). Advice and don’t expose. Confront and don’t hurt. Don’t be arrogant and don’t mock and make sure to remember that day is turned exactly like how hearts can turn.





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