[Pak Youth] Shortcomings and Weaknesses

There are four ways by which a person can realise his own shortcomings and weaknesses:

The first way: A person sits with a scholar who has insight and understanding of the nature of personal weaknesses and sin. The scholar makes the person aware of his weaknesses and the means to cure them. The existence of this way is rare in this day and age, so if a person finds such a scholar, he has indeed discovered an intelligent doctor and its not befitting to leave him.

The second way: A person should seek out an honest, religious and insightful friend and allow him to be a guardian over him so that he can inform him of any disliked mannerisms and actions.

The commander of the Believers Umar Ibn al-Khattaab (may Allah be pleased with him) would say, "May Allah have mercy upon a person who gifts us our own weaknesses."

The pious predecessors used to love those who would inform them of their shortcomings. However today – in most cases – the most hated of people to us are those who inform us of our shortcomings.

The third way: A person benefits from the tongue of his enemies in knowing his weaknesses. This is because an eye which is displeased will only see the bad characteristics [of the person it looks at]. A person taking advantage of a quarrelsome opponent who mentions his weaknesses; [he] is more beneficial than a friend who flatters and hides his weaknesses from him.

The fourth way: By mixing and interacting with people and avoiding that which one considers to be blameworthy in them.

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