The Perfect Humility

By Maulana AS Desai

Saturday 22 Shawwaal 1447 – 11 April 2026

The Perfect Humility

(BY MUJLISUL ULAMA OF S.A.)

Bismillahi Ta’ala…

Sayidunna Ibn al- Sammak rahmatullahi alayh (of Kufa d. 179 AH ~ 799 CE) narrated,

‘The perfect humility (Tawadhu) is to never consider yourself better than the next man. Always regard yourself to be lower than the next person. Whosoever you observe, believe them to be better than you.’

It is difficult in the beginning to cultivate this condition and attitude, as everything requires struggle. Even to to inculcate humility (Tawadhu) struggle is required because we humans have an evil self (nafs).

For example, if somebody annoys you or you heard somebody spoke ill about you, then naturally in such circumstances, you become offended. Demand of humility is to suppress the self (nafs). Then reflect about what has been said about you? Do not vent anger. Reflect! Is it true or false? Regardless of who said it, whether it is friend or foe – somebody who has an axe to grind with you, do not worry about such matters. Rather try to understand the statement which was made about you. Is it true or false?

If it is true, then you have to remedy it. You must work on yourself. Resort to Istighfaar (repentence). If it is false, then you are not the loser for the accuser’s good deeds are transferred to you and you are rewarded. There is no need to become inflamed or to defend yourself or to establish that you are not guilty. Insha’Allah, this is one of the ways you will cultivate humility (Tawadhu).

You must tolerate the difficulties and indiscretion people put in your path. For example, a neighbour inconveniences you. Some people cause hardship and difficulties. Toleration is necessary. Suppress your emotions and insha’Allah ultimately you will acquire the attribute of humility (Tawadhu) in your heart.

Regard all others to be better (afdhal) than you. Regard all your contemporaries, no matter who you are, whether a learned person, a pious person, ashaikh, a buzrug, a king, a muhaddith or a mujaddid ro be better than you.

No one has the guarantee that he will be the same tomorrow as he is today or better than the person who is being despised. Allah Ta’ala may elevate that person whom you are despising and because of your pride (takabbur), you may be demoted from you imaginary pedestal of elevation.. Therefore, you should ask the person (whom you are despising and may hold a lower rank in society or is poor or involved in sin) to make du’a for you with the firm conviction (yaqeen) that through his medium and blessings (tawassul) Allah Ta’ala will accept his du’a for you and forgive and ward off difficulties from you. This is perfect humility (Tawadhu).

There was once a very high-ranking Shaykh, who after delivering a lecture (bayaan) left the Masjid with his students and disciples following. It was an extremely hot day and Allah Ta’ala sent a cloud to shade them. Amongst them was a person who was not a Mureed (disciple), rather he was impious and full of sins. He too had joined the lecture and followed the Shaykh. The people observing the cloud shading the group, assumed it was due to the barakah of this Shaykh. As people began to depart towards their different ways and homes, their numbers began to dwindle. When the entourage reached by the home of the sinner, he too left towards his alleyway. As he departed, the cloud began to follow him. The Shaykh and his remaining followers were left without shade. Now the people realised that the cloud had been sent by Allah Ta’ala because of the barakah of the sinner and not because of the barakah of the Shaykh. All were left now standing in amazement under the sun as they saw the cloud following this forlorn person.

Everybody had assumed Allah Ta’ala had sent the cloud, in the intense heat, due to the barakah of the Shaykh; and possibility he too was under this same impression and, had developed some conceit (ujub). Allah Ta’ala now showed everybody that the episode of the cloud was due to the barakah of the sinner. No one knows who is closer to Allah Ta’ala and how He acts with His servants.

Another example: Once there was a severe drought in Lucknow and people were suffering and perishing. No water at all. Despite the presence of Ulama and Pious Saints (buzrugs) and their collective performance of Salaah al-Istisqa (congregational du’a for rain in a field on the outskirts), du’a upon du’a, but no rain came.

Then what happened? There was a brothel in Lucknow full of prostitutes. It occurred to some of them that this suffering of the entire community is because of “our evil”. It appears in Hadeeth, when immorality and adultery (zina) become prevalent, then Allah Ta’ala sends drought and famine.

These prostitutes sent a delegation to the Mayor of Lucknow and addressed him: ‘We have understood that this calamity which has afflicted and befallen the entire city is because of our misdeeds and our evil. We sincerely regret and wish to repent (make tawbah) and we too also wish to perform Salaah al-Istisqa, but we wish to do it completely separately without contaminating it with the presence of any men. No one should see us. Are you able to make such arrangements for us in a field?

The mayor made such an arrangement. No men were allowed. All these prostitutes went to the field and cried profusely making du’a, and lo! as they made du’a the rain arrived in torrents, torrents and torrents.

Never ever despise anyone. Do not think, that sitting on your high horse, you will not fall. Regard yourself to be the most contemptible in this world, worse than a dog.

If you work on your nafs (self), Allah Ta’ala promises in the Glorious Qur’an:

“…Allah Ta’ala draws or attracts towards Himself whomsoever He wills. And He guides towards Himself one who inclines towards Him.” (Surah 42: Ash Shura: Part of Verse 13)

Although instantaneous reformation is an exception, it does happen that suddenly a person becomes a Saint (buzrug). Allah Ta’ala gives a person the tawfeeq (ability) and the guidance and they reform without any struggle. An example is the Magicians of Fir’own during the time of Sayidunna Moosaa alayhis salam. In a matter of minutes, after their defeat upon the miracle of Sayidunna Moosaa alayhis salam, Allah Ta’ala gave them such tawfeeq, such hidayah (guidance), that they immediately fell into sujood (prostration). Prior to this they did not have one single good deed to their names. It was only that one Qalimah they recited whilst in sujood. They had spent their entire life in evil, sorcery and magic, yet Allah Ta’ala gave them such strong Imaan, that in a matter of minutes, despite Fir’own torturing and driving huge bolts though their bodies against trees, they proclaimed, ‘Do as you wish, it does not matter!’

Obviously, this case was an exception, but there are many cases of people who suddenly, from being faajir and faasiq became great Awliya. But the normal rule is that one has to struggle, and this is the prime purpose for our existence in this dunya. Allah Ta’ala has created an evil nafs within us together with the presence of Shaytaan. This dunya is the place of constant conflict and therefore there will always be a struggle. If you strive, insha’Allah Allah Ta’ala will crown you with success.

“And our final statement is that all praise belongs to Allah, Lord of the Worlds.”