How to achieve Humbleness?

[Flame of Hope]

I love this thread:wub:

Jazakallahu Khairan Flame for all the beautiful articles.

Wa iyyakum sister! Humility is a critical potion needed in our journey of life. But it's something that we forget and need to be reminded about on a regular basis.

Which is why I keep posting in this thread. lol.

Glad you found the posts beneficial.

 

[Flame of Hope]

I found a Personal Arrogance Check list written by Abdul Ahmed.

I've changed the title to make it relevant to this thread.

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The No-Humility Check-list

The kettle only fills the cup when its spout is lowered
A teacher can only benefit others when he lowers himself before Allah."

A person might be arrogant, proud, ostentatious or have elements of those qualities if (PLEASE note I have said MIGHT - make your own decision) if:

1. Reading the above lines makes you roll your eyes or feel uncomfortable that the topic has been brought up.

2. You feel that the majority of the people you speak to have less Islamic knowledge than yourself.

3. You find yourself giving more advice than asking for it, and don't feel that you need any right now.

4. You don't agree that that having the above qualities is a indication of a possibility of arrogance.

5. Think of five people you are almost or absolutely sure have less Islamic knowledge than you. Was that easy for you to do?

5a. Now imagine them correcting you in your Salah, or in something you just said in front of a group of friends. Would your heart feel strange if such a thing happened?

5b. You automatically go into "I know what you do not know" mode whenever you speak to these five people and cannot consider speaking to them as intellectual equals or learning something from them or getting advice from them.

6. You have recently started a sentence in public with "In my humble opinion..."

7. You openly declare your sinfulness in front of people when praised [not to lower yourself in your own eyes, but to show everyone how humble you are], or have strange forced reactions when complimented because you are not sure how to react and want to seem humble before people.

8. Think of a Muslim brother or sister whom you think has said some uninformed things about Islam, but is overall a good person and sincere. Think of someone praising and complimenting that person's knowledge in front of you. This makes you slightly uncomfortable because you think it is undeserved and you have a better understanding.

9. Assume that there is someone who is/was in a position above you in some way shape or form (jama'ah, masjid, work, school). You automatically assume that they got there through some means, not because they are worthy/competent/knowleable but because of shadiness.

10. You can think of at least a few instances where you have been corrected/advised in public and reacted with anger or sarcasm rather than gratitude. It is hard for you take accept advise from people who are younger than you, in your age group, or people who cannot be classified in one or more of the groups listed at the title of this post.

11. Think about all of the places in which you are important: work, Jama'ah, community work, masjids, etc. You feel that if you were to remove yourself from your activities there, that those groups would actually be at a loss, not realizing that if you were to leave - Allah can easily replace you with someone much more qualified.

12. Your Salah (prayer) is faster in private than it is in public.

13. When you read Quran in private, you imagine what it would be like if other people heard you recite.

14. You say things to people you know they will not understand in order to assert your intellectual superiority over them.

15. You automatically assume that you do have such knowledge that you actually have something so deep that some people won't understand.

16. You look at brothers or sisters who are not involved with Islamic work or commuity activism, and feel that you are better than them because you are "useful" to the community while they are not.

17. You are more concerned about making a mistake in a khutbah because of what people would think, as opposed to making a mistake in calling to Allah (swt).

18. When you make a mistake in regular conversation, you find yourself covering up for it by pretending you "knew that..but..."

19. Whenever the reference to sinners is made in the Quran, you don't wonder for a second, "what if that is me?"

20. Whenever a reference is made to those people who speak without knowledge - you do not immediately think of yourself.

21. Imagine that a major community volunteer leadership position has opened for a young muslim adult. It will be the most influential position in the entire city/community and the decisions made in this position will be able to impact thousands of youth and how/where they recieve knowledge about Islam and do youth activities and the ideologies by which they are led.

You cannot think of five people who are two years or more younger than you who should definitely be in this position more than you.

22. A fifteen-year old comes up to you, and tells you that your khutbah/speech/event you organized - sucked. That it didn't connect to him, that you made mistakes in it, and that you should work on your speaking/organizing skills. but he does it in a nice way - without using the word "sucked". What do you feel like? Anger?

23. You think about compliments other people give you and feel happy about them. You find yourself drawing nearer to the people who complement you and farther from the people who do not.

24. You don't think people deserve the effort you put in sometimes.

25. You hear an old person who doesn't know tajwid recite Quran, terribly. You laugh/cringe and think to yourself that you know what he does not know, rather than realizing that he simply was never taught properly. If he is young, rather than seeking to help him or offer lessons, you just shake your head and leave.

26. You think that scholars who don't entirely agree with your teachers/leaders have less of an understanding of Islam than you do; and you've criticized them publicly without explicit permission from your teachers/leaders.

27. It makes you irritated when people assume that you do not know something which you do.

28. The idea that the only reason you have been given what you have been given (quran, islamic work, etc) is because without it you would become the greatest sinner on the earth doesn't really cross your mind. When the time comes for someone to lead any salah and the jama'ah is selecting an imam, you are so used to being pushed up there that you don't even think about it anymore nor think about how many sins you are hiding from the people behind you.

29. Saying "my teacher" fills you up with just a little ounce of pride that you have a teacher, while the person you are speaking to does not.

30. There is a brother wearing earrings, gold chains, the ghettoest clothes imaginable, swearing left and right, listening to obscene music, and always hitting on girls. There is also a sister who dresses in revealing clothes, makes obscene remarks, is always looking for a laugh, always makes sarcasting, biting remarks towards other sisters, and is dating two guys.

In reading the above, a feeling of superiority over them already entered your heart. The idea that perhaps they want to change and might be spending more time asking for forgiveness in secret than we spend sinning didn't enter mind until you read this sentence.

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P.S. The lines in blue are the ones I thought we need to be particularly wary of. Of course, you can have your own blue lines.....

 

[Amat Allah]

Does this refer to not extending compliments to others because I have noticed that people, children especially, are expecting more and more compliments for things that they do instead of just taking joy from their good deeds. I can see how this expectation of external approval can negatively effect simple kindness, productivity, and creative.

you can encourage others my sweetheart; its absolutely ok honey but if you knew that that compliment would affect that person badly; like: filling his/her heart with pride or make him/her arrogant or may affect their sincerety; then its better not to say praising words but only make Duaa for that person like saying: May Allah bless you and give you success Ameeeen and you may say : Ma shaa Allah, May Allah bless you, Alhamdulilah the One Whom blessed ya which such thing...etc

and here the prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) didn`t want us to praise others good deeds (especially the acts of worship) so, they do not become decieved of what they have done and offered and then later be neglected and pride may enter their hearts then changes them to something bad and arrongant... ^^

Assalamu Alaikum sister, If I may I would recommend that you explain your action as to avoid been thought of as lacking in manners, for in todays world it's western manners that come first. Masalam

Wa Alikum Assalaam Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakaatuh my respected brother

like I mentioned above:

we should never stand up for others to glorify them for a position or some rank they may have but it is ok to stand up for your guests to welcome them and for old people out of respect ...what the prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) hated is the act of those whom seeing themselves better than others loving others to stand up for them to feel greatness and see themselves the best ....may Allah never make us from them Ameeeen

Assalamu Alaikum ProudMuslimSis, Should you add Mashallah to a reasonable compliment for example you say to a child "Mashallah that's a beautifull drawing you made" that's okay or Subhanallah that was good story and well read is fine; or to an adult "Mashallah that dress really suits you". In other words as long a the complement has Allah S.W.T's name and it's not extravagant it's fine. Should one say or you are the smartest person I've ever met, now that's wrong. In some cultures if you pay a compliment without Allah S.W.T's name they get very aggressive as they might think you're giving them the evil eye. Like one says oh what a lovely baby and the baby starts to vomit or develop a fever you're are going to be in trouble. This is no superstition either there are Ahadith about the evil eye. It pays to stick with the Sunna. I'm sure you're also familiar that a lot of compliments are false and placing Allah S.W.T's name to them makes one think again right ? I hope my answer helps you. Masalam

Ma shaa Allah, great answer my respected brother. May Allah bless ya , be pleased with ya and reward ya with the best always and forever Ameeeeen

P.S. The lines in blue are the ones I thought we need to be particularly wary of. Of course, you can have your own blue lines.....

^^ according to some of the points above; I am seriously an arrogant slave...

Alhamdulilah that at the end; none knows what inside of others and what their real intentions are but Allah...

inna lellah wa inna ilayhi rajioon...

 

[Flame of Hope]

I came up with a Humility Checklist based upon the check list given by Abdul Ahmed......

The purpose of this list is for your own self-evaluation. Hope it helps in some way.

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The Humility Checklist


1. The subject of arrogance and pride is of great interest to you. You want to know more about it in order to keep yourself safe from it.

2. You feel that the majority of the people you speak to have knowledge that you don't have.

3. You give advice when you are asked for it. And you feel that often times you are in need of advice about a lot of things.

4. It's hard for you to think of five people you are almost or absolutely sure have less knowledge than you.

5. You are not offended when people younger to you, from another culture or background correct you.

6. You thank people if they correct you.

7. You avoid using the words, "in my humble opinion...."

8. You take great care in hiding your sins and you don't make a show of how humble you are by speaking ill of yourself before others.

9. If others are praised or complimented, you are unaffected by it and not resentful. You have good thoughts about the person who has been complimented.

10. You think the best of others and are not suspicious of their intentions when they do good deeds.

11. You do not think of yourself as indispensable. You think there are others who are more capable and better in doing your job.

12. Your salah is long in private and short in public.

13. When you read the Qur'an in private you have no desire that others should hear you reciting it and admire you for it.

14. You say things to people in brief and in simplified terms so that they might clearly understand what you're saying. You don't make a show of your knowledge and you speak to people at their level of understanding.

15. If you have knowledge you desire others to know what you know so that they too might benefit from it.

16. You do not think of yourself as better than others because you are more involved or active in your religion.

17. If you make a mistake in a khutbah you are quick to acknowledge your fault or ignorance.

18. When you make a mistake you are quick to acknowledge your fault, ask for forgiveness, say sorry and make amends.

19. Whenever the reference to sinners is made in the Quran, you think to yourself, "what if that is me?"

20. Whenever a reference is made to those people who speak without knowledge - you immediately think of yourself.

21. Imagine that a major community volunteer leadership position has opened for a young muslim adult. It will be the most influential position in the entire city/community and the decisions made in this position will be able to impact thousands of youth and how/where they recieve knowledge about Islam and do youth activities and the ideologies by which they are led.

You can think of five people who are two years or more younger than you who should definitely be in this position more than you.

22. A fifteen-year old comes up to you, and tells you that your khutbah/speech/event you organized - sucked. That it didn't connect to him, that you made mistakes in it, and that you should work on your speaking/organizing skills. but he does it in a nice way - without using the word "sucked". You feel dismay and thank the fifteen year old for being honest in his feedback regarding your speech.

23. You flee from people who praise you and go nearer to people who criticize you.

24. You hear an old person who doesn't know tajwid recite Quran, terribly. You make excuses for him and think that he simply was never taught properly. If he is young, you seek to help him or offer lessons.

25. You have the utmost respect for scholars and teachers.

26. It does not make you irritated when people assume that you do not know something which you do.

27. There is a brother wearing earrings, gold chains, the ghettoest clothes imaginable, swearing left and right, listening to obscene music, and always hitting on girls. There is also a sister who dresses in revealing clothes, makes obscene remarks, is always looking for a laugh, always makes sarcasting, biting remarks towards other sisters, and is dating two guys.

In reading the above, you decide to mind your own business and be more concerned about your own faults. You feel that they might want to change in future and might be spending more time asking for forgiveness in secret than you spend sinning.

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[Amat Allah]

3. You give advice when you are asked for it. And you feel that often times you are in need of advice about a lot of things.

then how to join Allah commandments and forbid what Allah forbad if waiting for others to request for the Advice...

4. It's hard for you to think of five people you are almost or absolutely sure have less knowledge than you.

I can think of milion and milion people who know not not a lil but anything about Islam around the word that if you asked them what is Islam in your opinion? they would think that it is a trade mark of something...

7. You avoid using the words, "in my humble opinion...."

sometimes the word humbly used out of respect and to let others feel comfortable that none is better than the other and none knows who is better but Allah...

12. Your salah is long in private and short in public.

The salah of the person should never change ever it must be the same whether in private or in public...at the end we worship Allah and fear none but Him ...as a great scholar said that the Salah of the servant of Allah should never be changed whether in private or in front of others...

here you are a story about Ummar Bin Al Khattaab (May Allah be pleased with him)

‘Umar bin al-Khattab went to Syria and Abu ‘Ubaydah was in his company. When they reached a fort, ‘Umar descended from his camel, removed his shoes, placed them on his shoulder and then passed. Abu‘Ubaydah said in astonishment, ‘O Commander of the faithful! You are doing this? I do not wish that the people of this town see you in this condition!’

Umar retorted: ‘O Abu ‘Ubaydah, if other person were to say this saying of yours, I would have made him an example for the Muslims! We were the lowest of all people and then Allah gave us glory by Islam,and if we seek glory in anything other than what Allah has given us, Allah will disgrace us.

the glory is in being a slave and servant of Allah not in being praised by others...and there is no glory ever but with Allah and by Him the Exalted...

May Allah humble our hearts for each other and never make us from the worshipper of this dunya and its pleasures Ameeeeeeeen

it is breaking the heart hearing others praising you and that fills your heart with fear and sometimes drives ya to cry cause you might get decieved and turn to an arrogant and hypocrite person but also you gotta think about the feelings of those who are praising you just out of love and happiness and mean not to cause ya harm; then what the right way to save your soul and be at the same time very respectful and nice with them?

by making Duaa and words of kindness; we may make Duaa to remind others: O Allah make me desreve what they say O Allah never make us arrogant and hypocrite....

and this is a Duaa Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) would make after being praised (some narrations state that it was a duaa of Ali radi Allahu anhu).
It is reported that he would say:

اللهمَ اجْعَلْنِى خَيْرًا مِمَّا يَظُنُّونَ وَاغْفِرْ لِى مَا لَا يَعْلَمُونَ وَلَا تُؤَاخِذْنِى بِمَا يَقُولُون


Allahumma-ja’lni khayran mima yadhunoon wa-ghfir li ma la ya’lamoon wa la tu’akhidhni bi ma yaquloon.



O Allah, make me better than what they think of me, and forgive me for what they do not know about me, and do not take me to account for what they say about me.



The scholars and righteous of the past would find ways to keep this praise away from themselves and remind those around them to not over praise others. This is why we find many narrations where they humiliate or speak lowly of themselves - it is to keep their nafs in check.



May Allah help us all to be His true servants and slaves Ameeeeeeeeeen​

​

 

[Impey]

I very much liked the post on humility but as I am new here is it permitted to ask a question about it as I am a bit troubled by it

 

[Ğħαrєєвαħ]

^yes do ask away..

 

[Amat Allah]

I very much liked the post on humility but as I am new here is it permitted to ask a question about it as I am a bit troubled by it

of course you ask whatever you want whether about humility or anything else ...you are welcome my dear anytime so, never let anything stop ya from knowing more and more no shyness no hesitation in shaa Allah, ok?

May Allah lead your way to the path of the endless happiness always and forever Ameeeeeeen

take care of your precious self ...

leaving you under Allah`s sight and care...

Humbly, your sister:

Amat Allah.

 

[Flame of Hope]

Jazakallah khair sis for sharing your views........

then how to join Allah commandments and forbid what Allah forbad if waiting for others to request for the Advice...

There's something called unwanted advice. That's what we don't want to give. Advising people, enjoining the good and forbidding the evil has to be done with wisdom. And I know for a fact that unwanted advice is resented by a lot of people. It's also bad manners.

I can think of milion and milion people who know not not a lil but anything about Islam around the word that if you asked them what is Islam in your opinion? they would think that it is a trade mark of something...

The point is not to consider yourself to be more knowledgeable than others. But to have a good opinion about them and to think that perhaps they know a lot more than you do....it's just that they are concealing their knowledge.

sometimes the word humbly used out of respect and to let others feel comfortable that none is better than the other and none knows who is better but Allah...

This word is used in the context.. that you believe yourself to be humble. And if you do so, then you cease to be humble. Better not to use the word at all. There are other ways to express yourself.

The salah of the person should never change ever it must be the same whether in private or in public...at the end we worship Allah and fear none but Him ...as a great scholar said that the Salah of the servant of Allah should never be changed whether in private or in front of others...

The point was to be wary of showing off. A truly humble person does not make a show of his deeds. He takes great care to conceal his good deeds and his inner state is better than his outer. He cares more about what Allah thinks of him than what people think of him.

Indeed there are people in this world who are in reality among the saaliheen.....we would never know who they are......because they do such a good job in keeping their piety secret.

 

[Amat Allah]

Jazakallah khair sis for sharing your views........

Wa iyaki my sweetie Ameeeen

There's something called unwanted advice. That's what we don't want to give. Advising people, enjoining the good and forbidding the evil has to be done with wisdom. And I know for a fact that unwanted advice is resented by a lot of people. It's also bad manners.

but not all people ask for advices my dear sister and the prophets and messengers of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon them) followed Allah`s commandments in enjoining the good and forbidding the evil...the warn their people and adviced them as Allah ordered not waiting for them to ask honey...

you are right, but advicing hasn`t one way to be giving in but many and the wisdom is to know the right way for eachone you want to give that advice for him/her...

Umar bin Al Khattab (May allah be pleased with him) while dying he saw a man wearing a long Thawb and he right away told him to shorten it above his ankles accodring to the Shar`a of Allah not waiting from him to ask him his advice ...the evil is evil and must be changed by the ways and methods that the prophet Muhammad taught us as Allah commanded his and taught him (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) my dear sister...

the point is not to consider yourself to be more knowledgeable than others. But to have a good opinion about them and to think that perhaps they know a lot more than you do....it's just that they are concealing their knowledge.

Yes , I understood this point my precious sister...

This word is used in the context.. that you believe yourself to be humble. And if you do so, then you cease to be humble. Better not to use the word at all. There are other ways to express yourself.

like what? how to tell others that I see them like me and I even see them better than me and if I am saying something doing something and teaching something that I am not trying to show them that I am better that them ...how?

Allah knows the best my dear...

The point was to be wary of showing off. A truly humble person does not make a show of his deeds. He takes great care to conceal his good deeds and his inner state is better than his outer. He cares more about what Allah thinks of him than what people think of him. Indeed there are people in this world who are in reality among the saaliheen.....we would never know who they are......because they do such a good job in keeping their piety secret.

I know honey the point , but the example is not right to be giving and what I said is not out of my own view...this is the saying of a great trustworthy scholar May Allah have mercy on him who was moer knowledgable than I...

and Allah says:"If you disclose your charitable expenditures, they are good; but if you conceal them and give them to the poor, it is better for you, and He will remove from you some of your misdeeds [thereby]. And Allah, with what you do, is [fully] Acquainted. (271)" Surat Al Baqarah

and if you are used to do something then do it as you always done it and never change it ever cause as long as you are doing it for Allah`s sake then others opinion never mind ever...

and about other good deeds you may hide and not intending showing others but for Salat you can`t do what was mentioned above... and won`t shorten my Salat with my lord for the sake of a creature`s opinion of me..if thinking that I am showing of then Allah knows the reat intentions of his Ibaad..Alhamdulilah

don`t be mad of me honey ...this is what I believe...

 

[Flame of Hope]

Jazakallah khair ukhtee, for sharing your views...again.

but not all people ask for advices my dear sister and the prophets and messengers of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon them) followed Allah`s commandments in enjoining the good and forbidding the evil...the warn their people and adviced them as Allah ordered not waiting for them to ask honey...

Muslims must certainly enjoin the good and forbid the evil. I'm not saying that they shouldn't. What I am saying however, is that one should be careful while giving advice so as not to appear to others as though you are more knowledgeable or wiser.

One must check one's intentions while giving advice because the very act demonstrates to the person to whom you are "correcting" that you know better than he or she does. That's pride. The feeling that we know more than others and because of that we have the right to go around correcting people.

When someone with a "I know more than you" attitude goes around giving advice, he causes people to flee.

That's what I was trying to lay stress on. Correcting others, advising others must be done with wisdom. And wisdom won't come to us unless we fear Allah the way He should be feared. Allah does not like the proud no matter how right they may be in their knowledge.

like what? how to tell others that I see them like me and I even see them better than me and if I am saying something doing something and teaching something that I am not trying to show them that I am better that them ...how?

Allah knows the best my dear...

Yes, ukhtee. Allah knows best.

don`t be mad of me honey ...this is what I believe...

I'm not mad sister. I'm glad you shared your views. Jazakallah khair.

 

[Amat Allah]

Jazakallah khair ukhtee, for sharing your views...again.

Wa Alikum Assalaam Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakaatuh my sweetie ^^

Muslims must certainly enjoin the good and forbid the evil. I'm not saying that they shouldn't. What I am saying however, is that one should be careful while giving advice so as not to appear to others as though you are more knowledgeable or wiser. One must check one's intentions while giving advice because the very act demonstrates to the person to whom you are "correcting" that you know better than he or she does. That's pride. The feeling that we know more than others and because of that we have the right to go around correcting people. When someone with a "I know more than you" attitude goes around giving advice, he causes people to flee. That's what I was trying to lay stress on. Correcting others, advising others must be done with wisdom. And wisdom won't come to us unless we fear Allah the way He should be feared. Allah does not like the proud no matter how right they may be in their knowledge.

Now, when you said it in that way ,I realized what you wanted me to get and understand and indeed you are correct in that %100 May Allah bless ya Ameeeeen

I'm not mad sister. I'm glad you shared your views. Jazakallah khair.

Wa Iyaki my flame and may Allah never prevent ya from seeing His Al Mighty Face ever Ameeeeeeeen

I Swear by The One Who Created the whole world that I love you deeply and madly for Allah`s sake and no matter what in shaa Allah , may Allah love you and be pleased with you always Ameeen

take care of your precious self May Allah be with ya Ameeeen

Humbly, your sister no matter what:

Amat Allah.

 

[Impey]

of course you ask whatever you want whether about humility or anything else ...you are welcome my dear anytime so, never let anything stop ya from knowing more and more no shyness no hesitation in shaa Allah, ok? May Allah lead your way to the path of the endless happiness always and forever Ameeeeeeen
take care of your precious self ... leaving you under Allah`s sight and care...
Humbly, your sister: Amat Allah.

Thank you for this opportunity. I quote from your post #1

How to Achieve Humbleness in Your Heart?
Humbleness is the opposite of arrogance, and is an attitude and behavior that Allah and His Messenger (Peace and blessings be upon him) have commanded us to have. It is also a great tool used to spread Islam to others. The best way to achieve humbleness in the heart is contained in the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings be upon him), who prescribed many methods to teach his companions how to be humble. We ask Allah to help us all become humble and stay firm on that path. Following are some of the methods and ways of achieving humbleness:​

Let me say at the beginning I fully endorse what you say about the need for humility, there is nothing worse is there than a proud and arrogant person. I cannot of course endorse what the Sunnah says as I have no knowledge of it though being a Westerner I am familiar with the humility that we find in the person of Jesus in the Bible for example.

Firstly, there were no specific references or even an indirect one to the Qu'ran here - are there any? Secondly, and this is what bothers me is that I found an article where a Pakistani cricketer, Afridi said "I don't think [Indians] have the large and clean hearts that Allah has given us" - frankly, I found this shocking and if one takes the plain meaning of the words it is self-evidently not true as a Universal.

Anyway, I obtained a copy of Dawood's translation of the Qu'ran. I chose Dawood as it seems (to me) to read very well in English and searched for the these ideas.

Q3:110 You are the Noblest community ever raised up for mankind. You enjoin justice and forbid evil. You believe in God.

Q98:6 The unbelievers among the people of the boo and the pagans shall burn in the fisr of hell. They are the vilest of all creatures.​

I looked at a few other translations but the meaning seems plain (to me) and if I take these two verses, there seems no way to read them as expressing humility, indeed they seem the very opposite of humility?

 

[Amat Allah]

Let me say at the beginning I fully endorse what you say about the need for humility, there is nothing worse is there than a proud and arrogant person. I cannot of course endorse what the Sunnah says as I have no knowledge of it though being a Westerner I am familiar with the humility that we find in the person of Jesus in the Bible for example.

Yes indeed, nothing worse than a proud and arrogant person and surely, Jesus (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is an amazing example to be taken May Allah never prevent the whole Ummah from his company in Al Firdaws Ameeeeeeeen

Firstly, there were no specific references or even an indirect one to the Qu'ran here - are there any?

"...And give good tidings (O Muhammad) to the humble (34)" Surat Al Hajj

"Lo! those who believe and do good works and humble themselves before their Lord: such are rightful owners of the Garden; they will abide therein. (23)" Surat Hood

"And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth easily, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace, (63)" Surat Al Fur`qaan

" O my son, establish prayer, enjoin what is right, forbid what is wrong, and be patient over what befalls you. Indeed, [all] that is of the matters [requiring] determination. (17) And do not turn your cheek [in contempt] toward people and do not walk through the earth exultantly. Indeed, Allah does not like everyone self-deluded and boastful. (18)" Surat Luqmaan

and many...

Secondly, and this is what bothers me is that I found an article where a Pakistani cricketer, Afridi said "I don't think [Indians] have the large and clean hearts that Allah has given us" - frankly, I found this shocking and if one takes the plain meaning of the words it is self-evidently not true as a Universal.

This is clear arrogance and none knows us the best my respected like our Lord...if your teacher told ya: you are the best studant in my class, cause you have done your best in studying and worked so hard getting the higher mark; it is away different when you yourself say to your classmates: I am the best amongst you ...etc

the teacher was encouraging you and telling ya that when (Plough deep you will get plenty of corn ) and even if saying that to you infront of others then it is to give them an example and to encourage them to be better and to take the steps you have taken but when you parise yourself amongst others then this has another meaning and I think you already knew it...in shaa Allah you understood what I said...

Anyway, I obtained a copy of Dawood's translation of the Qu'ran. I chose Dawood as it seems (to me) to read very well in English and searched for the these ideas. Q3:110 You are the Noblest community ever raised up for mankind. You enjoin justice and forbid evil. You believe in God.

I believe if you already understood what I have said above then you will under stand this verse you have quoted...and another thing is: with all my respect and humility, I advise you to read more than one translation to understand Qur`aan in shaa Allah and also to complete reading the whole verses and what before them and after them to understand and get the real meaning....

"You are the best nation produced [as an example] for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah. If only the People of the Scripture had believed, it would have been better for them. Among them are believers, but most of them are defiantly disobedient. (110)"

now if you have understood what I wrote and replied to you on the second part of your post then you will understand what this verse is talking about...May Allah be with you Ameeeen

Q98:6 The unbelievers among the people of the book and the pagans shall burn in the fisr of hell. They are the vilest of all creatures. I looked at a few other translations but the meaning seems plain (to me) and if I take these two verses, there seems no way to read them as expressing humility, indeed they seem the very opposite of humility?

"Indeed, they who disbelieved among the People of the Scripture and the polytheists will be in the fire of Hell, abiding eternally therein. Those are the worst of creatures. (6)" Surat Al Bayyinah

my respected, didn`t you say above: there is nothing worse is there than a proud and arrogant person ?

then Allah said that before you do:"But the ones who deny Our verses and are arrogant toward them - those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide therein eternally. (36)" Al A`raaf

if disobeying your Lord and being arrogant towards Him and His proofs and verses; then what you are? the best of creatures?


the verse is talking about those who disbelieved in Allah The Lord of the world; neither about all of the people of Scripture nor all those who used to be polytheists...

many of the people of Scripture and polytheists who left the disbelief , humbled themselves to Allah and returned to Him in repentance believing in Him; the Creator and only true God Who deserves to be worshipped alone; are better than milions of Muslims...

again read the whole Sura not only one verse to understand better , God Willing .


and my respected, it is not about the name or to be named Muslim ; it is how to be a Muslim a true and real one and Muslim means: the one who submitted himself to God ...

another advices which are for all people from all different religions; never ever judge a religion by its sinful followers; cause this is not fair...but read about the religion itself and from the right sources (if searching sincerely then you will be guided to them, God Willing)and be independent and search by yourself and never be a tail for others wherever they drag you; you follow. read by yourself and search and never imitate others...

and if that religion you are searching for is from God HimSelf then you will surely know ; cause Allah Is perfect and His way of life is perfect too but those who follow it are not perfect at all , they are human and do mistakes...

May Allah guide us all before standing in His court Ameeeeeeeeeeen

 

[Impey]

I believe if you already understood what I have said above then you will under stand this verse you have quoted...and another thing is: with all my respect and humility, I advise you to read more than one translation to understand Qur`aan in shaa Allah and also to complete reading the whole verses and what before them and after them to understand and get the real meaning....

I did consult several (online) translations but the sense seemed always the same. I want to understand what you are saying, now I guess for you what is right and wrong is black and white? I have difficulty with this because I don't need a book of rules of any kind to know that if say I see a person suffering that I should help or understand that killing or steeling is bad. Similarly, I can never bring myself to say that amputation for theft or multiple wives is in any way right but for me definitely wrong.

"Indeed, they who disbelieved among the People of the Scripture and the polytheists will be in the fire of Hell, abiding eternally therein. Those are the worst of creatures. (6)" Surat Al Bayyinah

If I understand your point correctly, you are saying that those who don't believe are necessarily arrogant and proud and of course some may very well be but this cannot be a universal can it? So what you seem to be saying is that the very act of believing, just believing, forbidding and enjoining is enough to make you 'the best of all creatures'?

This makes me feel uncomfortable as if I could in general be better than anyone else in my own eyes or God's. Surely, a sign of a lack of humility is when you say you are better than others? Going back to my Sundays school days (a long time ago) I recall faintly a story of a tax collector and a Pharisee, the Pharisee was proud, he kept the law and so was not like other men but the tax collector would not even rise is head because he knew his own heart - which of these two pleases God?

 

[Flame of Hope]

:bump:

:bump1:

 

['Aleena]

Islam and Ego-Nouman Ali Khan
I found this lecture very beneficial. May Allah subhaan wa ta'ala reward the brother.

 

[Ahmadi.Flyer]

Subhan'Allah this was when one of the few and best talks on the subject.

 

[Amat Allah]

I did consult several (online) translations but the sense seemed always the same. I want to understand what you are saying, now I guess for you what is right and wrong is black and white? I have difficulty with this because I don't need a book of rules of any kind to know that if say I see a person suffering that I should help or understand that killing or steeling is bad. Similarly, I can never bring myself to say that amputation for theft or multiple wives is in any way right but for me definitely wrong.

how would you know then the diffirences between wrong and right if not accpeting your Lord teaching? The One Who Created you and Knows ya better than yourself no but the best ...none born knowledgeable %100 we have to learn and from whom? from the One Who created us and knows us...

and about amputation and multiple wives; have you ever read about them? their rulings, conditions and the wisdom behind the infliction of both of them on the guilty party or just putting them in the picture just like that?

and read here if you wana understand why the best people are those who enjoining good and forbidding evil, God Willing:

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/11403/أخرجت للناس

If I understand your point correctly, you are saying that those who don't believe are necessarily arrogant and proud and of course some may very well be but this cannot be a universal can it? So what you seem to be saying is that the very act of believing, just believing, forbidding and enjoining is enough to make you 'the best of all creatures'? This makes me feel uncomfortable as if I could in general be better than anyone else in my own eyes or God's. Surely, a sign of a lack of humility is when you say you are better than others? Going back to my Sundays school days (a long time ago) I recall faintly a story of a tax collector and a Pharisee, the Pharisee was proud, he kept the law and so was not like other men but the tax collector would not even rise is head because he knew his own heart - which of these two pleases God?

if you did understand what I have explained above then you wouldn`t write the above and whom better in Allah`s sight but who submit to His Willing, obeying Him The Exalted and be His true slave and servant just for His sake and not to show off...

and Allah knows the best.

 

[Flame of Hope]

I've been thinking about the title of this thread: How to achieve humbleness.

I don't think it is possible to achieve humbleness.

Here are some quotes on humility that bring home the point:

Humility is a strange thing. The minute you think you've got it, you've lost it.- E. D. Hulse

And the Devil did grin, for his darling sin Is pride that apes humility. - COLERIDGE: The Devil's Thoughts.