In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
Arrogance (also known as 'ujb) is a disease that has destroyed the faith and honor of countless individuals. It is among the most destructive vices a person can be stricken with because arrogance leads to hypocrisy, and hypocrisy leads to showing off (Riyaa) and a complete elimination of any faith in a human being. All of us, including the pious, are susceptible to it unless we are put ourselves in a state of continuously praising and thanking Allah, in humility for the blessings He has provided us.
Riyaa is showing off and can include the desire to seek praise or reputation. It includes worrying what people think of oneself. Showing off includes one’s deeds for someone else’s sake when they should be done for the sake of Allah.
Ibn ‘Abbas said: “Riyaa is more hidden than a black ant on a black stone in a dark night.”
The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wassallam) said, “What I fear for you the most is the minor shirk, that is ar-riyaa. Allah will say on the Day of Judgment when He is rewarding the people for their actions: Go to those for whom you did riyaa for in the world then see if you find the reward with them” (Ahmad).
The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wassallam) said, “Shall I not inform you of what I fear for you more than the maseeh ud-dajjaal (false messiah)? It is the hidden shirk (riyaa). It is when a man stands up for prayer, then beautifies his prayer for another to look at” (Ibn Majah).
Abu Hurayra narrated that the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wassallam) narrated a story about three people on the Day of Judgment. The first of the people whose case will be decided on Judgment Day will be a man who died as a martyr. He will be brought forth. Allah will make him know about His blessings (which He had bestowed on him in the World). The man will acknowledge them. Then God will ask him: What did you do with them? He will say: I fought in Your way until I died as a martyr. God will remark: You are lying. You fought so that you may be called a brave warrior. Then orders will be passed against him. So he will be dragged along on his face and cast into Hell. Second will be a man who studied religious knowledge. Then he taught it to others and recited the Qur'an. He will be brought for Judgment. Allah will remind him of His favors (showered on him in the world). He will admit them (having enjoyed them in his life). Then God will ask him: What did you do with them? He will reply: I acquired knowledge and imparted it and also recited the Qur'an for Your sake. God will observe: You have told a lie, for you got knowledge to be renowned as a scholar; and you recited the Qur'an to be marked as a Qari (one who recites the Qur'an according to the rules). Then orders will be passed against him. So he will be dragged along on his face and thrown into Hell. The third person will be a man to whom Allah had made abundantly rich and granted him every kind of wealth. He will be brought for judgment. God will let him know about His gifts conferred upon him in the world. He will recognize them. Then God will inquire: What did you with them? He will say: I left no way in which you like money to be spent without spending in it for your sake. God will say: You are lying. You did so to be described as generous and philanthropic in the society; It means you got your reward in the world according to your intention. Now you deserve nothing in the Hereafter except Hell. So orders will be passed against him and he will be dragged along on his face until he will be hurled into Hell.
We can defeat these vices through humility and by remembering that all good done on our part, talents we possess, and every good deed and worship we have completed are due to the Divine blessings and generosity of Allah, the most Honorable and Sovereign.
فَإِلَـٰهُكُمۡ إِلَـٰهٌ۬ وَٲحِدٌ۬ فَلَهُ ۥۤ أَسۡلِمُواْۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلۡمُخۡبِتِينَ (٣٤ ...(Qur'an, Al-Hajj 22:34-35)
ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ ٱللَّهُ وَجِلَتۡ قُلُوبُهُمۡ وَٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ عَلَىٰ مَآ أَصَابَہُمۡ وَٱلۡمُقِيمِى ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَمِمَّا رَزَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ يُنفِقُونَ (٣٥
...And your Ilâh (God) is One Ilâh (God — Allâh), so you must submit to Him Alone (in Islâm). And (O Muhammad SAW) give glad tidings to the Mukhbitun [those who obey Allâh with humility and are humble from among the true believers of Islâmic Monotheism], (34) Whose hearts are filled with fear when Allâh is mentioned; and As-Sabirun [who patiently bear whatever may befall them (of calamities); and who perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât), and who spend (in Allâh's Cause) out of what We have provided them. (35)
Humility and humbleness towards Allah manifest themselves as modesty, patience, and respect towards others. Submission to Allah leads a person towards a more tranquil and meek life of purpose and substance, while self-pride and arrogance leads one to a life of darkness and hatred. It is not possible to be in actual submission while behaving arrogantly and in contempt towards others. Indeed, humble submission before the Most Glorious and Eternal Lord is the most sublime and greatest source of honor and dignity a believing person can be afforded.
Humility comes from recognizing the Might of Allah and that all might belongs to Him, His Greatness, and being in awe of His Majesty. True humbleness asks that we remember Allah constantly, thank Him for His countless blessings that He has conferred upon us, use our talents and abilities in the path of Allah, and consider ourselves superior to no one.
... قَدۡ أَفۡلَحَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ (١) ٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ فِى صَلَاتِہِمۡ خَـٰشِعُونَ (٢) وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ عَنِ ٱللَّغۡوِ مُعۡرِضُونَ (٣[Qur'an, Al-Mukminun 23:02)
Successful indeed are the believers (1) Who concentrate their attention in humbleness when offering Salah (prayers) (2) And who keep themselves away from vain things, (3)...
May Allah purify our hearts and save us from arrogance and showing off and all blameworthy traits and replace them with praiseworthy traits. Ameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wassallam.
Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan
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