There is something that every teacher, religious preacher, Islamic scholar, and community leader should be concerned about: the possibility of saying one thing to others while doing the opposite in their own lives.
In simple terms, we must never become people who swallow their own words. We must not preach goodness while neglecting to practice it. We must not advise others to be humble while allowing pride to grow within ourselves. We must not encourage people to remain steadfast in faith while failing to maintain that same commitment in our own lives.
This is not about determining who has the greatest knowledge, the highest religious title, or the most influential position in society. It is about honesty with ourselves.
The higher a person's position in society, the greater the moral responsibility they carry.
A teacher is not judged merely by how well they explain lessons. A religious preacher is not judged only by how beautifully they deliver sermons. A religious leader is not measured simply by their appearance of righteousness.
More importantly, they are judged by how sincerely they practice what they teach.
Let us not allow our tongues to become more active in preaching goodness than our own hearts and actions are in practicing it.
1. A Title Is Not a Reason to Feel Superior
Being a teacher, religious preacher, or religious leader is an honor, but it is also a responsibility.
Such titles should never become reasons to consider ourselves superior to others.
In fact, the greater a person's knowledge, the more humble that person should become. The more religious understanding someone possesses, the more aware they should be of how much they still have to learn.
Humility does not mean lowering our dignity. It means understanding our proper position before Allah SWT and treating other people with respect.
Never allow the title of teacher or religious scholar to make you feel that you are beyond criticism. Never assume that because people frequently invite you to speak before an audience, everything you say and do must be correct.
We are all human beings. No matter how knowledgeable we become, we still have weaknesses and shortcomings.
Even someone who regularly gives advice needs advice from others.
A truly knowledgeable person does not feel humiliated when receiving criticism. Instead, they see it as an opportunity to learn, reflect, and improve themselves.
2. Do Not Let Righteousness Become Merely an Appearance
There is something we need to reflect upon together.
Sometimes, a person appears extremely polite and religious when standing before a congregation. Their words are gentle, their advice touches people's hearts, and their appearance reflects religious devotion.
But what happens when they leave the gathering?
Do they remain gentle? Do they continue to practice honesty? Do they still respect others? Do they maintain their good character when nobody is watching?
True righteousness is not merely about how we appear before people. It is about how we conduct ourselves when nobody is observing us.
We must be careful of riya, the act of performing good deeds to gain praise, admiration, or recognition from others.
Do not turn worship into a performance. Do not use religious advice as a tool to build a personal image. Do not make righteousness a garment that we wear in front of a congregation but remove when we return to our private lives.
Allah SWT knows everything hidden within the human heart.
Therefore, what we should seek is not human applause, but the pleasure and acceptance of Allah SWT.
3. Do Not Turn the Pulpit into a Place for Seeking Profit Alone
Being invited to speak at religious gatherings, Islamic study circles, and community events is not wrong.
Receiving an honorarium for the time, effort, and knowledge we share is also not automatically blameworthy.
However, there is one thing we must always protect: our intention.
Do we accept invitations because we sincerely want to share knowledge and benefit others, or are we primarily interested in the payment we will receive after every speaking engagement?
This question is not intended to judge anyone. Rather, it is an invitation for each of us to examine our own intentions.
Do not measure the value of an invitation solely by the amount of money offered. Do not become enthusiastic when the payment is large but lose your willingness to help when the community cannot afford to compensate you.
Earning a living is important. Everyone has financial responsibilities. However, we must never allow material interests to overpower the true purpose of religious teaching.
A pulpit should be a place for delivering truth, not building arrogance.
Religious knowledge should bring us closer to Allah, not merely become a means of obtaining worldly recognition and financial benefits.
4. Put Obligations Before Things That Are Merely Permissible
In life, we are often faced with choices between things that are obligatory and things that are simply permissible.
Unfortunately, people sometimes become more interested in activities that attract attention, bring praise, or provide personal benefits while neglecting responsibilities that should come first.
For example, a teacher may be extremely enthusiastic about attending invitations to speak at various places, yet neglect their primary responsibility toward their students.
A religious leader may be very active in speaking about social responsibility, but when a friend or fellow community member needs help, that person is nowhere to be found.
Shouldn't we learn to put everything in its proper place?
We must not prioritize things that are merely permissible while neglecting obligations that are our actual responsibilities.
We need to distinguish between desires and duties, popularity and service, as well as activities that bring praise and responsibilities that genuinely benefit others.
Not everything that looks impressive in the eyes of human beings has greater value in the sight of Allah SWT.
5. Steadfastness Is Not Only Something We Teach, but Something We Must Practice
We often hear religious advice about istiqamah, or remaining steadfast in faith.
Congregations are encouraged to maintain their prayers, increase their good deeds, respect others, guard their speech, and avoid sinful behavior.
All these teachings are correct and important.
But have we ever asked ourselves whether we have actually practiced what we have been teaching?
Do not become someone who firmly reminds others to maintain their prayers while frequently neglecting them personally.
Do not encourage people to be honest while continuing to engage in dishonesty.
Do not teach patience while becoming angry whenever someone offers criticism.
Remaining steadfast is not easy. Nobody is perfect. Teachers make mistakes, religious scholars can fall into error, and community leaders can experience moments of spiritual weakness.
However, imperfection should never become an excuse to stop improving ourselves.
A good person is someone who recognizes their mistakes, has the courage to acknowledge them, and sincerely tries to correct them.
Do not demand steadfastness from your congregation if you are unwilling to struggle for it in your own life.
6. Respect Your Companions and Never Lose Your Sense of Solidarity
Knowledge should make a person wiser in the way they treat others.
Do not look down on your friends simply because you hold a higher position. Do not assume that you are more honorable than someone who has never had the opportunity to stand before a congregation and deliver a sermon.
Respect your companions. Appreciate the struggles of others. Never forget the people who once walked beside you.
Solidarity is part of noble character.
Do not appear only when you need someone's assistance and disappear when that person needs you.
Do not respect only those who have positions, wealth, and influence. Respect ordinary people as well, including those without impressive titles but who possess sincerity and honesty.
The true dignity of a person is not determined by how many people address them with honorable titles, but by the quality of their character and their devotion to Allah SWT.
7. Do Not Become a Candle That Illuminates Others While Destroying Itself
There is a meaningful expression that we should remember:
Do not become like a candle that illuminates everything around it while slowly burning itself away.
This metaphor reminds us that giving advice to others is not enough. We must also ensure that the advice becomes a guiding light in our own lives.
Do not become so busy correcting other people's mistakes that you never have the courage to examine your own.
Do not become someone who is excellent at showing others the road to goodness while personally walking away from that very path.
Before correcting others, correct yourself.
Before inviting others to become better people, ask whether you have sincerely tried to become better yourself.
This does not mean we must wait until we are perfect before giving advice. No human being is free from mistakes.
However, we must never stop trying to make our words consistent with our actions.
The Prophet Muhammad SAW demonstrated the importance of noble character through his example. Knowledge, worship, and behavior should go hand in hand.
True moral character is not demonstrated merely by what we say, but also by what we do.
8. This Is Not an Attack on Others, but a Reminder to Ourselves
This article is not an accusation against all teachers, religious scholars, preachers, or community leaders.
We know that many people sincerely dedicate their lives to education, religious teaching, and serving society.
There are teachers who continue educating students with patience despite receiving limited income.
There are religious preachers who share their knowledge without seeking praise.
There are community leaders who quietly help others without wanting anyone to know.
They are examples worthy of respect.
Nevertheless, like all human beings, anyone can fall into arrogance, showing off, believing they are always right, or becoming carried away by the admiration of others.
Therefore, let us not become so occupied with watching other people's mistakes that we forget to examine ourselves.
Sometimes, we need to sit quietly and ask our own hearts:
Have I practiced what I have been teaching others?
Am I genuinely humble, or do I simply want to be respected?
Do I share religious knowledge for the sake of Allah, or because I want recognition?
Have I respected my companions and treated others with dignity?
Am I willing to accept criticism, even when it hurts?
Have I placed my obligations above my personal interests?
These simple questions may be difficult to answer.
However, real personal transformation begins with the courage to examine ourselves honestly.
Conclusion: Improve Yourself Before It Is Too Late
Ultimately, the titles of teacher, religious preacher, Islamic scholar, or community leader do not guarantee that someone has become a perfect human being.
A title is simply a responsibility that must be fulfilled and accounted for.
Do not allow people to respect you because of the advice you deliver while you yourself neglect the responsibility of personal improvement.
Do not allow yourself to become known as a righteous person before a congregation while losing your sincerity outside the gathering.
Let us learn to become people who do not merely speak about goodness but sincerely strive to practice it.
If you make a mistake, acknowledge it. If you are wrong, correct yourself. If someone criticizes you, listen. If you are given a responsibility, fulfill it. If people honor you, remain humble. If you receive blessings, remember to be grateful.
We do not have to become perfect human beings before inviting others to goodness. However, we must continuously strive not to become the very first people to violate the advice we give.
Remember, do not allow your tongue to become a teacher to others while your behavior becomes a bad example for them. Do not spend your life illuminating the paths of others while losing your own way in darkness.
Because in the end, what truly matters is not how many people praise our righteousness, but how sincerely we improve ourselves before Allah SWT.
May Allah SWT protect our hearts from arrogance, keep us away from showing off, strengthen our steadfastness in faith, and grant us the ability to align our knowledge, words, and actions.
O Allah, do not make us among those who are good at showing others the path of righteousness but forget to guide themselves toward Your path. Ameen, Ya Rabbal Alamin.
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