Article of the day

Was searching for an article for my work...then came across the interesting title...'saying what you don't do'. Couldnt helping myself...had to find out what the article is all about and I find it rather interesting as it is something that we can easily relate to.

Enjoy reading ;)

Saying what you don't do
Dr Khalid Sa'ud al-Hulaybi

Friday, July 25, 2008

RARELY do people live up to everything that they say. It is part of our human condition. Some of us almost always follow through with what we say, so that there is almost never a discrepancy between our words and deeds. Some of us act before we speak.

Some of us speak readily, then drag our feet when getting around to doing what we say we are going to do — but ultimately get it done.

There are those of us who mean what they say, sincerely, but never get around to doing it. Then there are those who nobody should bother waiting for them to do anything, because they never seriously mean to do what they say.

This is a logical breakdown of people with respect to their doing what they say. Some people might consider it too obvious to need mentioning.

However, more astute minds would have started pondering on this topic from the moment they read read the title. By the time they finished reading the introductory paragraph, they would feel some personal distress. This is what I intended.

As the old saying goes: "When a person takes himself to task, only then he becomes worthy of esteem."

We often say and do things without thinking. Then, worse still, we fail to evaluate our words and deeds. We never look at ourselves critically.

We might fall into the trap of heedlessness on one occasion. We might succumb to difficult circumstances on another. We might even fall into sin.

Allâh says: "It is most hateful to Allâh for you to say what you do not do." (surah al-Saff: 2-3)

People generally look positively on those who practice what they preach. This is why it is a compliment to call someone "a man of his word".

We look upon a doer differently than we do upon a mere "sayer". A doer is respected and trusted, someone you can do business with.

The glib talker, on the other hand, is looked down upon, distrusted, and his words are laughed at. We know there is no substance to what he says. A person who works is at the threshold of true satisfaction. If he makes work his habit, he will achieve it.

Philosophers have contemplated the meaning of Earthly happiness, but I have not found anything better or truer than: "Happiness is in achievement."

This definition of happiness approaches the concept from the angle of activity and productive work. We should most certainly plan out our efforts, but we should not waste all of our time in aimless planning.

I have seen so many cases where precious time is spent in holding consultations, mapping out objectives, and articulating dreams — but without any productive work ever coming of it.

Those who people take as role models — and those who set themselves up to be role models — are individuals whose lives are their deeds. If their deeds disgrace them, then they are truly disgraced — in their own eyes, in the eyes of society, and maybe even in the eyes of God. People are more comfortable with someone who is true to his word, even when that person makes a decision that is contrary to their interests. This is because they know where they stand with him, and they respect that.

Allâh tells us that the Prophet Syu'aib, peace be upon him, said to his people: "I wish not, in opposition to you, to do that which I forbid you to do. I only desire (your) betterment to the best of my power; and my success (in my task) can only come from Allâh. In Him I trust, and unto Him I look." (surah Hud: 88)

A person might stumble when he walks, but he is still better than someone sitting still. A person might fall when he runs, but he is still faster than someone who walks.

A ship at sea is in danger of sinking, but the ship was not made to stay in the harbour forever.Islam Today