14/02/2024
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: âEveryone starts his day and is a vendor of his soul, either freeing it or bringing about its ruin.â (Muslim).
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 Qurâan did I memorise?
Indeed the one who memorises nothing of the Qurâan 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?
Prayer with congregation is twenty-seven times superior to one performed individually. (Bukhari)
6. What part of the Qurâan did I read with understanding?
Do they not seek to understand the Qurâan, or are their hearts locked up by them? (47:24)
7. What did I do to fulfil my duty as a daâiyah (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?
our 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?
he 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 Allahâs 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).
âUmar ibn al-Khattab, in one of his famous sayings said âJudge yourselves before you are judged, evaluate yourselves before you are evaluated and be ready for the greatest investigation (the Day of Judgement)â
âThe 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.â (Hassan al-Basri)
