The Teachings of Islam
Realizing One’s Own Mistakes
~ 79 ~
REALIZING ONE’S OWN MISTAKES
People who are in the habit of filling out their
sentences with unnecessary words are usually quite
unaware of their own habit. If however, someone
else, does the same thing, they notice it
immediately.
This is a common human fault. People are usually
well-informed about others’ faults. They ferret out
shortcomings in other people, but pretend to know
nothing about what they and their friends do
wrong. Yet, it is acknowledgement of one’s own
faults rather than skill in noticing those of others
which will benefit one in God’s presence. To notice
others’ mistakes is to show God that one has been
altogether too attentive to worldly matters. On the
Day of Judgement, a severe punishment awaits one
who has been guilty of their error.
God has given man the power of distinguishing
between good and evil. People should use this
power to avoid paths leading to hell and keep to the
road destined for paradise. If one is following a
false path oneself, one’s exhortation of others to the
