The Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم stated: “An intelligent person should have a portion of time in which he performs self-accountability.”^[1]

The Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم also said: “To contemplate (about the matters of the Hereafter) for a moment is better than 60 years of worship.”^[2]

Benefits of self-accountability

Dear Islamic brothers! From the blessed verse, its commentary, and from the sayings of the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, it becomes clear that Islam strongly encourages self-accountability, because:

1. Through it, a person begins to avoid sins.

2. Performing good deeds becomes easier.

3. A person becomes mindful of fulfilling the rights Allah and the rights of His servants.

4. Fear of Allah Almighty enters the heart.

5. The outward and inward states of a person improve.

6. A mindset forms to prepare for death before it arrives.

7. One develops a mindset of following in the footsteps of the pious.

8. Good habits are formed.

9. One becomes inclined to rid himself of bad traits.

In short, through self-accountability, ease and success is attained in this world and the Hereafter. This is why Islam places great emphasis on self-accountability. Now, let us listen to the definition of self-accountability, so that we may succeed in evaluating our deeds in a more effective manner.