One must realise we cannot reach the intellect of the pious predecessors.

With all due respect, their logic, mindset & approach were shaped by the Qur’an & Sunnah. For the Tabi’īn they were also shaped by the Sahabah RA, the Tabi Tabi’īn were shaped by the Tabi’īn.. with Isnad

Should we not ask how our mindset and approach is shaped? How often have we spent time with pious, Allāh-fearing people?

What kind of background and environment did we mature and grow in?

This is different to an individual’s personal relationship with Allāh and the sins they commit privately.

This is to do with their tarbiyyat. It has a massive impact on the person and subsequently that person’s mindset, ideology and views.

In this day and age, self-discipline is very difficult to achieve.

Only we know our true selves, and to what degree we possess the piety people assume we have.

Whether we are artificial in our sincerity, humility and Allah-consciousness.

The pious predecessors had their challenges but they were free from this artificial nature dominant in our society today.

Their actions reflected their inner states.