Warning against something and then doing it myself

Reference: Fataawa al-Lajnah ad-Daa.imah lil-Buhooth al-'Ilmiyyah wal-Iftaa. v12 p268 q2 of no.16920

Question: If I exhort my brothers and warn them against some sins, but fall into these sins myself, am I considered a hypocrite? Please advise me, [and] may Allaah reward you with good.

Response: It is obligatory upon you to repent from the sins and exhort your brothers against them. And it is not permissible for you to continue [committing] sins and not advise your brothers, because [doing] this is combining two sins. So it is upon you to repent to Allaah from that, in addition to advising your brothers. This does not make you a hypocrite, however, it does place you in that [state] which is condemned as blameworthy by Allaah in His سبحانه و تعالى saying:

{Most hateful it is with Allaah that you say that which you do not do} as-Saff 61:3

;

{Enjoin you al-birr (piety and righteousness and each and every act of obedience to Allaah) on the people and you forget [to practise it] yourselves, while you recite the Scripture! Have you then no sense?} al-Baqarah 2:44

And with Allaah lies all success and may Allaah send prayers and salutations upon our Prophet ﷺ and his family and his companions.

Translation originally published on 1 May, 2001.