Exegesis of the saying of Allah the Exalted: “Do you enjoin righteousness upon people and forget yourselves?”

Question:
With Allah’s blessing, we begin today’s episode with what one of the brothers sent, asking: What is the interpretation of the saying of Allah the Exalted in Surat al-Baqarah? .

Answer:
And may Allah send prayers and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his Companions. In this noble verse, Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, rebukes the Children of Israel for commanding righteousness while not practicing it themselves. They command people to do good, yet they do not do it themselves. This is a rebuke for anyone among the people who has this characteristic. It is guidance from Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, that a person should begin with himself. "O you who teach others, why do you not apply this teaching to yourself? Begin with yourself and stop from its evil; if you stop from it, then you are wise." So a person who enjoins good and forbids evil should start with himself, his household, and his children, and then command the people among his neighbors and those around him. This is especially so if this duty is incumbent upon him, for it is obligatory for him from two aspects: from the aspect of his relationship with Allah, and from the aspect of his relationship with the one in authority. Yes.