PRIDE AND SELF ESTEEM

Mufti A S Desai Afrikee hafizahullah

Bismillahi Ta’ala…

Hadhrat Aboo Muslim Khawlani (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) would say, ‘Only the person who is contemptible will have Takabbur (pride)’

The first being who displayed Takabbur was Shaitaan. The initial stage of pride is Ujb (vanity). When a person has Takabbur, he believes himself to be better than others. He despises them and holds them in contempt. Ujb is self-esteem because of some bounty that Allah Ta’ala has bestowed to you; be it health, strength, knowledge or piety. On that basis a person feels contented with himself.

This was the first downfall of Shaitaan. Allah Ta’ala had bestowed upon him the honour of being the teacher of Angels. Yet he developed the idea of himself being a great, holy being. He did not despise the Angels as they were his students. Later, when Hadhrat Adam (Alayhis Salam) was created, he despised him; believing himself to be of a higher level and proclaiming,

‘O Allah Ta’ala, you created me from fire and Him (Adam Alayhis Salam) from clay’. (7:12)

Both Takabbur and Ujb are diseases upon which Allah Ta’ala sends his punishment in this world.

Allah Ta’ala mentioning one incident during time of Sahaba (Radhiallahu Anhum) says,

‘Even at the Battle of Hunain when you took pride in your great numbers yet they proved of no advantage and the earth became small for you despite its vastness, thereafter you fled.’ (9:25)

In all previous battles, the numbers of Sahaaba (Radhiallahu Anhum) had been inferior. The enemy had been greater in number and better equipped. Despite this inequality, Allah Ta’ala gave them victory. On the occasion of Hunayn (a place around 10 miles from Makkah Mukarramah), the Sahaba (Radhiallahu Anhum) numbered 14000. The Kuffar numbered around 4000. It occurred to some of the Sahaba (Radhiallahu Anhum) that due to their superior numbers, victory was guaranteed. The focus shifted from Allah Ta’ala to their own strength.

Allah Ta’ala on this occasion placed fear in the hearts of the Sahaba (Radhiallahu Anhum). The enemy were experts in archery and were showering them with arrows. Courage and bravery are a great bounty of Allah Ta’ala. Allah Ta’ala now snatched away this bounty because of Ujb (vanity). The gaze of some Sahaba (Radhiallahu Anhum) was now on their own ability, not on Allah Ta’ala.

Alhamdulillah, this setback was only temporary. Allah Ta’ala wanted to teach them not to rely on their own ability. Nabi (Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam) called on them, they regrouped then won.

A Muslim never relies upon the bounty given to him by Allah Ta’ala. Upon such bounties we must display gratitude and utilise them correctly. Allah Ta’ala will then increase those bounties. However, should the focus shift from Allah Ta’ala, he can snatch it away and bring calamities in its wake.

Hadhrat Urwah Ibn Zubair (Radhiallahu Anhu) said, ‘Make humility incumbent upon you. It is such a bounty over which nobody will be jealous of you.’ Indeed, nobility is in humility.

If a person is always humble, nobody will harbour jealousy for him. Yet a person who has pride will fall victim to jealousy.

Always adopt Tawadhu. Tawadhu (humility) is not the mere exchanging of niceties or offering acts of worship. Tawadhu is acting according to the Shariah when someone angers or annoys. The root of anger is Takabbur (pride). When committing an error, if someone corrects you, the flames or anger and annoyance start burning, this is Takabbur against which you must struggle and suppress the flames of the Nafs (desires). By doing this repeatedly, you will gain the ability to inculcate Tawadhu. If you give vent to your anger, you will never acquire Tawadhu. It is necessary for all Muslims to acquire Tawadhu.

All forms of worship (minus Tawadhu) will be valid from a Fiqhi perspective but in the court of Allah Ta’ala will not be accepted.

Hadhrat Sufyan Ibn Uyayna (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) said, ‘A Zaahid (devout worshipper) who is devoid of humility is not a true Zaahid. He is like a tree which is devoid of fruit.’

There is no benefit in worship without humility. You will discharge your duty but the worship will not bring any benefit.

May Allah Ta’ala grant us all the understanding. Aameen