The candle light

Candles have been in existence from the Roman era. A simple object that provides so much. One small candle has the power to illuminate a whole room. You may be thinking why is she going on about a candle.. well let me tell you. This candle represents so many of us today but we do not seem to realise it. Whilst this candle may be doing so much i.e. providing light or scent or whatever it is, the candle itself is slowly dying. Each second that candle illuminates, the more it melts and before you know it that candle is no more. So how does this analogy describe us? Think of yourself  as being that candle.. and think of the illuminating flame being your knowledge; knowledge you love so much to share with everyone else. You love to benefit and better others, but what about yourself? Whilst this candle is so consumed in illuminating it's surroundings the thought that its slowly dying seems to has escaped it's mind. The same thing with us. Whilst we are too busy advising and warning others we seem to forget about ourselves. We forget to apply that knowledge to OURSELVES. You may be going around and increasing the Imaan levels of your fellow brothers and sisters but when was the last time you sat down and judged your own? There is great reward in advising someone and an even greater reward if that person puts that advise into practice. But what use is it to you if you don't follow it yourself? When thinking about it, it just does not make sense. In the example of a fire, it's as if you help everyone else out but you decide to stay in whilst fully aware of it's consequences.
As reported by Usaamah ibn Zayd our Prophet (SAW) said:

"A man will be brought on the Day of Resurrection and thrown in the (Hell) Fire, so that his intestines will come out, and he will go around like a donkey goes around a millstone. The people of (Hell) Fire will gather around him and say: O so-and-so! What is wrong with you? Didn't you use to order us to do good deeds and forbid us to do bad deeds? He will reply: Yes, I used to order you to do good deeds, but I did not do them myself, and I used to forbid you to do bad deeds, yet I used to do them myself." (Bukhari)

Correcting other's mistakes and advising people is not a flaw, but we should start amending our mistakes and shortcomings before anyone else. On the day of judgement we will be held accountable on our own actions not anyone else's. We do not want to be labelled a hypocrite. May Allah protect us. This should be a reminder for us all. It's easy advising others but for once let's just pause and look at ourselves. 

"Most hateful it is with Allah that you say that which you do not do" (61:3)

Oh Allah! Do not make us amongst those hateful people. Purify our intentions and allow us to do what is good. اللهم امين يارب العالمين

(Jazakallahu khair to that Sheikh who left me pondering.. May Allah increase you. Ameen)