Surah Baqarah, 44

“What! Do you tell others to do good whilst you are forgetful of yourself, whereas you read the Kitaab?”

(Surah Baqarah, 44)

Question: Does this mean that one whose actions are not in order should desist from admonishing others?

Response: No! The purport of this Aayat is that one who tells others to do good deeds should not forget about himself. Telling others to do good deeds is vital and there is definitely some benefit in it or other. The benefit to the listener is self-evident; even the admonisher benefits. It is my experience that when I find some deficiency in me, I give a bayaan on the subject and from that day onwards I automatically start engaging in the work for it is embarrassing to find myself lacking in something which I have propagated to others. (Ashrafut Tafaaseer)