Hues of Arrogance – Part 2

Bismillah

Part 1 |  Part 2

Following the first part of this article, “Hues of Arrogance”, we detail below the steps one can take to become more humble towards Allah and His creation:

Know Allah:

“What has knowing Allah got to do with arrogance?”

Everything! The one who truly recognizes his Creator, and learns about His exalted names and attributes (click here), embraces reality. He knows with conviction how great his Lord is, and how absolutely miniscule his own self is. He knows that each and everything that he has and does, is from Allah, the One who created him, fashioned him, brought him into this world, gave him sustenance, and nurtured him into strength after the frailty of infancy and childhood. Once he truly knows Allah, he can not have arrogance reside in his heart for long.

Make Quran education and recitation a daily part of your life:

What better way to get acquainted with Allah, than to understand His Word? The Quran is the best remedy for arrogance, because the latter is a disease of the heart, and the Quran itself testifies to being a healer of such diseases:

“O mankind! There has now come unto you an admonition from your Sustainer, and a cure for all [the ill] that may be in men’s hearts, and guidance and grace unto all who believe [in Him].” [10:57]

By pondering on its meanings, studying it with a teacher, and reciting it both in the morning and during prayers, with understanding, you will eventually be able to acquire the endearing trait of humility, insha’Allah. For this, you need to have a sincere intention when you approach the Quran.

“Thus, step by step, We bestow through this Qur’an all that gives health [to the spirit] and is a grace unto those who believe [in Us], the while it only adds to the ruin of evildoers.” [17:82]

Take heed from Allah’s signs:

The greatest people who ever lived – those having extraordinary physical or mental strengths – were reduced to dependence and weakness with the passage of time. Great scholars or professors can one day suffer from amnesia or Alzheimer’s. Even the man who played the fictional “Superman” – the idol of many young boys – suffered a crippling fall, withered and died before their very eyes.

Narrated Abû Hurairah [رضی اللہ عنہ]: Allah’s Messenger [صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم] said, “Allah looks neither at your figures, nor at your outward appearance, but He looks at your hearts and your deeds.” [Muslim]

This should remind us that each and every little blessing we have – from our looks, to our wealth, to our abilities and talents – is solely from Allah. Our achievements are not the product of our own selves – they are the result of the talents He endowed us with, combined with the effort He guided us to undertake. Not only that, He can take them away whenever He wants, even within a split second. A beauty queen can lose her perfect body and beauty to a disease (just a passing reference to the recent death of a 20-year-old Brazilian model, who died within two months of contracting a mysterious disease). A strong wrestler might suffer an accident that could render him invalid. Such accidents happen each day to people, but the less wise and arrogant ones do not take heed.

“None feels secure from Allah’s deep devising save people who are lost.” [7:99]

Wear ordinary clothes:

Muadh Bin Anas [رضی اللہ عنہ] reported: “The Messenger of Allah [صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم] said, “Whoever gives up wearing elegant and expensive garments out of humbleness, when he can do so, Allah will call him on the Day of Resurrection and before all the creations, He will give him the choice to wear whichever garment of ‘imaan‘ he would like to wear.””
[Al-Tirmidhi]

Remember that whatever you have, or whatever you are, will cease to exist one day:

The life of this world is fleeting; everything in it, whether it is a source of happiness or misery, will be gone one day. Only memories and stories will remain, remembered as ‘history’. So if you are the owner of something that makes you swell with pride, just remind yourself that it will be dead and gone one day. Just like you.

“Only the Face of your Lord of Might and Glory will remain.” [Al-Rahman 55:27]

Admit your mistakes, or accede to your opponent when they are right:

It might take a huge effort at first, but try to develop humility by hearing the other person out, even if you are right or better in opinion. Develop the ability to look at things from their point of view, which will make you a gentler and more empathetic person; more approachable and likeable.  Also, if you are among the older generation (say, above 50) and for the most part of your life, you have been telling the younger lot what to do and how to do it, accede to the fact that now they are adults; maybe acknowledging your own shortcomings before them, and occasionally acquiescing to their wishes won’t really belittle you before them. On the contrary, it might just make you more honorable.

Apologize to those you have wronged:

It takes a lot of strength to not just admit your mistake, but to go one step ahead and apologize to those you’ve wronged, whether it happened intentionally or not.  Asking another person to forgive you is a sign of humility, one that very few strong individuals can muster up the guts to acquire.

Befriend or occasionally keep company of poor people:

A humble person always compares himself to those lower than him in worldly status. For this reason, he is constantly concerned about their well-being and prosperity (“If we are finding it so hard to get by, what about those who earn just a few notes per day?”; “If we can not afford a rented apartment, what about those who are homeless?”). He is also attracted to their simple minds, lack of airs and superficiality, and genuineness. As a result, he finds himself sharing his meals with them, giving away his clothes to them, paying their medical bills, or asking about their well-being often. In short, rather than spend time with the influential upper crust of the society’s elite at lavish soirees featuring arrays of expensive food, couture and decor, he’d rather eat vegetables on bran whilst sitting on the floor with his servants dining around him.

Give alms regularly:

Narrated Abu Hurairah [رضی اللہ عنہ]: Allah’s Messenger [صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم] said, “Wealth is not diminished by giving (in charity). Allah augments the honor of one who forgives; and one who displays humility towards another seeking the Pleasure of Allah, Allah exalts him in ranks.” [Muslim]

Giving charity kills many birds with one stone, so to speak. It cools off the wrath of Allah if one has committed a sin; it carries great rewards, and it is the means of increasing one’s own sustenance. Last but not least, it appeases someone else’s calamity/neediness, or fills their stomach.

Greet people first, whether they are younger or older:

“So-and-so’s daughter is such a Miss high-and-mighty! What does she think of herself? Whenever she sees me, she averts her eyes. She doesn’t greet me, even though I am old enough to be her mother.”

Er……maybe you can teach her what she’s missing by practicing what you preach? What’s stopping you from greeting her with a warm, motherly smile?

Narrated Abu Dharr [رضی اللہ عنہ]: The Prophet [صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم] said, “Do not disdain any good deed, even your meeting with your brother (Muslim) with a cheerful face.” [Muslim]

While it’s true that the rider should greet the one on foot, and the standing one should greet the sitting one, it doesn’t mean the latter should expect to be greeted, passing judgments if not.

Remember your origins:

“Was he not a Nutfah (mixed male and female discharge of semen) poured forth? Then he became a clot; then (Allah) shaped and fashioned (him) in due proportion.” [Al-Qiyamah: 37-38]

The IslamQA fatwa committee bluntly describes this remedy (click here for the full article) for arrogance: “Another remedy (for arrogance) is to remember that he and urine came out of the same place; that he began as a despised drop of sperm and he will end up as a rotten corpse, and that in between he is a vessel for feces.  So what does he have to feel so proud and arrogant about?!”

Remember your sins and take yourself to account daily:

Every day, when you retire for the night, mentally recount how many wrong things you did during the day. After that, proceed to sincerely ask Allah for forgiveness. This daily activity will ensure that you stay focused on your own errors and weaknesses, paving the way for consistent humility and a gentler attitude towards the mistakes of others.

Remember that humility is a pathway to Paradise:

Narrated Harithah bin Wahb [رضی اللہ عنہ]: I heard Allah’s Messenger [صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم] saying, “Shall I not inform you about those who are entitled to Paradise? It is every person who is modest and humble (before Allah), a person who is accounted weak and is looked down upon, but if he swears (hoping for Allah’s Bounty), Allah will certainly give him what he desires. Now shall I not inform you about the inmates of Hell? It is every violent, impertinent and proud man.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Allah says: “Whosoever desires honor, power and glory then to Allah belong all honor, power and glory [and one can get honor, power and glory only by worshipping Allah (Alone)].” [Faatir – 35:10]

“See you not how Allah sets forth a parable? – A goodly word as a goodly tree, whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches (reach) to the sky (i.e. very high).

Giving its fruit at all times, by the Leave of its Lord and Allah sets forth parables for mankind in order that they may remember.”
[Surah Ibrahim: 24-25]

A believer has been likened to the date-palm tree. It provides beneficial fruit perennially. Similarly, a humble believer is of benefit to other human beings through word and deed, during all times, be they good or bad.

Any trait of humility that you have encountered in life, which is not mentioned above? Please tell us by commenting below.

Allah knows best, and is the source of all strength.