It is Easier to Criticize But Difficult to Improve
Once upon a time there was a painter who had just completed his course under disciplehood of a great painter. This young artist decided to assess his skills so he decided to give his best strokes on the canvass. He took three days and painted beautiful scenery.
Suddenly an idea flashed in his mind and he decided to display it on a busy street-square of his small town. He wanted people's opinion about his caliber and painting skills.
He put his creation at a busy street-crossing. And just down below a board which read - "Gentlemen, I have painted this piece. Since I am new to this profession I might have committed some mistakes in my strokes, etc. Please put a cross wherever you see a mistake."
While he came back in the evening to collect his painting he was completely shattered to see that whole canvass was filled with Xs (crosses) and some people had even written their comments on the painting.
Disheartened and broken completely he ran to his master's place and burst into tears. Sobbing and crying inconsolably he told his master about what happened and showed the pathetic state of his creation which was filled with marks everywhere. Such was the state that colors were not visible, only things one could see were crosses and correction remarks.
This young artist was breathing heavily and his master heard him saying "I am useless and if this is what I have learnt to paint I am not worth becoming a painter. People have rejected me completely. I feel like dying."
The master smiled and suggested, "My son, I will prove that you are a great artist and have learnt a flawless painting."
Young disciple couldn't believe it and said, "I have lost faith in me and I don't think I am good enough, don't give false hopes master."
"Do as I say without questioning it. It will work." the master interrupted him.
"Just paint exactly similar painting once again for me and give it to me. Will you do that for your master?" the master instructed.
Young artist reluctantly agreed and three days later early morning he presented a replica of his earlier painting to his master. The master took that gracefully and smiled.
"Come with me." master said.
They reached the same street-square early morning and displayed the same painting exactly at the same place. Now master took out another board which read - "Gentlemen, I have painted this piece. Since I am new to this profession I might have committed some mistakes in my strokes, etc. I have put a box with colors and brushes just below. Please do a favor. If you see a mistake, kindly pick up the brush and correct it."
The master and his disciple walked back home.
They both visited the place same evening. Young painter was surprised to see that actually there was not a single correction done so far. But the master was not satisfied as yet and he told his disciple, "May be one day was too little a time for people to come up with ideas and take time out of their busy schedules to correct it so let us keep it here for one more day. Tomorrow is Sunday, so we can expect some corrections coming in."
Next day again they visited and found painting remained untouched. They say the painting was kept there for a month but no correction came in!
Moral of the Story: It is easier to criticize, but difficult to improve.
It is pointless to watch other people's houses crumbling when our own house is in need of repair and attention.
It seems this story has been posted here before. Alhamdulillah!
I'm thinking why not discuss this issue of criticizing here in this thread.
I think it's better to be silent than criticize. It goes along with the hadith : "Whosoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should either speak good or remain silent."
In other words, if one does not have anything good to say, it would be a good policy to remain silent.
This lesson is in the film called Bambi by the way.
It is pointless to watch other people's houses crumbling when our own house is in need of repair and attention.
I was taught that one should only criticise when one's purpose is to provide a solution, other wise to criticise would be Fitnah.
Criticism also should be confined to Din matters only and not personal perspectives devoid of Sunnah or Usul Fiqh.
Salaam Sis,
Thank you very much for this story, i love those types of stories.
True it is very easy to criticise people and their work , even when the work is pretty much flawless, i guess because sometimes our human nature inclines towards jealousy and wanting to be the best,,etc, but this is very bad i hope God purifies our hearts from these diseases.
Criticism can really hurt a humanbeing and it almost never works except in a negative way , that's why i don't recommend it and i hope i don't use it against anyone. Because it might just shatter their hope as seen in the story you've posted.It is better to put up a good opinion about other people and give them support and encourage them but some times to some people that is hard, i don't know why exactly.
the world's most difficult thing is self improvement / tazkiya / islah. and most easy one to critisize othres.
i heard that Umar BIn Abdul Aziz RA and Hajaj bin Yousaf were king in almost same time. when Umar Bin Abdul Aziz RA was given the goveronment, he start from his own(self impovement /own islah) and by this peace was established in all country. however although hajaj had done some good, but there was fitna in all country bcz he forgot himself and his intention was to correct other.
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It is Easy To Criticize......
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