Living our words

In the Name of Allaah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. 

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"I desire not to do behind your backs that which I ask you not to do. I only desire reform so far as I am able to." Q 11:88

In the hierarchy of men, undoubtedly the Prophets of Allaah occupy the loftiest position, they enjoyed the special privilege of receiving message and guidance directly from Allaah. They are chosen servants of Allaah.

The above quoted verse talks about one of the renowned Prophets of Islam, Prophet Shu'ayb (AS), in the face of mockery from those opposed to his message he said; "I‎ desire not to do behind your backs that which I ask you not to do. I only desire reform so far as I am able."

It is highly undesirable and misfit for one to promote goodness while he is guilty of not implementing the good or to prevent evil while he hides from people just to commit the evil.

Prophet Shu'ayb (AS) was genuinely concerned lest he contradicts his own prohibitions in secret behind the backs of the people.

Allaah says: "Enjoy you Al-Birr (piety and righteousness and every act of obedience to Allaah) on the people and you forget (to practice it) yourselves, while you recite the Scripture! Have you then no sense." Q2:44

If those that spread the message of Islam practice what they preach, then those suffering in the hands of Satanic temptation will see Islam as a way out of their predicament. ‎

For the message of the preacher against nudity  to have profound effect on the audience held bondage by the naked world, then they need to be modest in what they do.

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Here is a frightening hadith in Bukhari and Muslim relevant to the topic:

"A man will be brought on the Day of Resurrection and thrown in the Fire. His intestines will fall out and he will continue circling pulling them behind him, just as the donkey goes round the pole. The people of the Fire will go to that man and ask him, 'What happened to you? Did you not used to command us to do righteous acts and forbid us from committing evil' he will say, 'Yes. I used to enjoin righteousness, but refrained from performing righteousness, and I used to forbid you to perform evil while I myself did it."

Brothers and sisters, enjoining piety and practicing it are intertwined. 

We need to live the life of the message we preach. ‎