Humility for Allah’s sake
Humility makes a believer accept and believe in the Infinite Greatness of Almighty Allah and makes him turn to Him sincerely by submitting to His commands, and by taking care of His rights and those of His servants. When Almighty Allah raises him in worldly status, the virtue of humility protects a believer from self-praise, pride and feelings of superiority over others. It makes him an individual whose only concern is the pleasure of Almighty Allah.
Even though being humble and confident are characteristics that we should acquire, we must be careful not to cross the line and trip into the sins of arrogance and self-praise. Almighty Allah tells us in the Noble Quran, translated as: “And the true and sincere servants of the Most Merciful God (Allah) are those who walk humbly upon the earth, and when the ignorant people address them harshly, they say (words of) peace.” (Al-Furqan – the Criterion 25: 63)
Among the lessons we learn from the verse above is that when faced with ignorance or inappropriate behavior from others, true believers in Almighty Allah respond with words of peace. They do not allow the ignorance of others to provoke them into unwise and impulsive reactions.
Almighty Allah warned Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that had he been harsh in dealing with his followers, they would have disbanded away from him. This indicates the significance of humility in dealing with human beings as it is one of the virtues that softens hearts by Almighty Allah’s Will. Almighty Allah says what can be translated as: “So, by mercy from Allah (O Muhammad), you were lenient with them. And had you been rude (in speech), and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded away from you...” (A’l-Imran – the Family of Imran 3: 159)
Once Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) noticed that one of his Companions who was fearlessly brave at war and used to kill many enemy invaders, had started feeling superior to those of lesser achievements than him. The Prophet (PBUH) told him: “You are not blessed with victory nor ample sustenance except by treating well the weak (and the poor) among you who, in turn, pray for you and their supplication is accepted (by Allah) directly.” (Al-Bukhari # 2, 896) On the same note, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to urge his Companions to seek for him the poor and the weak and to treat them well because that was one of the reasons for them to enjoy victory from Almighty Allah and to be blessed with abundant means of livelihood. (Sahih At-Targheeb # 3, 206 + Sahih At-Tirmidhi # 1, 702)
Arrogance is among the characteristics of the people of Hell: Ha’ritha bin Wahb Al-Khuzaei (RA) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) asked his Companions: “May I tell you of the people of Paradise?” They replied, “Yes, O Allah’s Messenger.” He said, “Every weak, poor and humble person whom people look down upon, but if he swears on something, (Almighty) Allah would fulfill his oath.” Then (conversely), he asked them: “Shall I tell you of the (miserable) dwellers of the Hellfire?” They replied in the affirmative. He said, “Every cruel, greedy and stingy person who is arrogant, immoral, argumentative, and saunters proudly.” (Al-Bukhari # 2, 853)
A rare event that exemplified Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) humility: Anas bin Ma’lik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) used to have a she-camel called Al-Adh’ba’a, which was never surpassed by any camel or according to a sub-narrator, it would hardly be surpassed in a race. Once a bedouin came riding a young camel that surpassed it (ie, Al-Adh’ba’a) in a race. The Muslims were very upset to see that happen. Noticing how upset they were, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, translated as: “It is Allah’s Law that nothing rises high in this world except that He brings it down.” (Al-Bukhari # 2, 872)
In the above incident, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) exhibited the highest degree of sportsmanship. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was really the epitome of virtues, good morals and manners, among them humility. Taking time to stop and remember what you have to be grateful for is among the good ways to cultivate a humble and positive frame of mind.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) comforts a man: Abu Masoud (RA) narrated that a man approached Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) and started talking to him while trembling with awe and fear. The Prophet (PBUH) told him, translated as: “Take it easy; I am just a man whose mother used to eat dried meat.” (Al-Albani rated it as sahih in Sahih Ibn Ma’jah # 2, 693)
It’s normal that some people, when they talk to a high-ranking official or a person of high caliber, feel uneasy and start to tremble. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) wanted to send a message across that he is not like some people who enjoy when those deemed inferior to them talk to them while trembling. Indeed, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) came as a mercy to all Allah’s creatures.
In conclusion, humility begins with accepting who we are and what makes us human. As a result of this, you gain control over your attitude and outlook on life. Being humble is an important life skill and an important Islamic value as well. — Courtesy of Kuwaiti Society for Cultural Dialogue