By Rumki Chowdhury
“You’re so smart!” or “That was impressive” are among the many words that are scientifically proven to heighten one’s self-esteem and motivate a reciprocal response. We smile, maybe hold our heads up a bit higher and strut or even skip instead of walk. Therefore, not only are compliments energy boosters for us, but they also encourage us to return the compliments. To be humble or the act of humility is a virtue in many religions and lifestyles including that of Islam. While responding with another compliment or simply saying, “Thank you” to show our gratitude, we should remain humble and not become arrogant:
Abdullāh ibn Mas‘ūd (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said: “Anyone who has an atom’s weight of arrogance in his heart will not enter Paradise.” A man said, “What if one likes his clothes and shoes to look good?” The Prophet ﷺ said, “Verily, Allah is beautiful and He loves beauty. Arrogance is to reject the truth and look down on people.”
In other words, anything done or felt in excess can prove detrimental to the human mind:
As seen in the above chart, referenced from The National Library of Medicine, arrogance may lead to personality disorders as in degrading another person when compliments should benefit both individuals, or openness to constructive criticism that could help in reaching one’s full potential. Thus, humility is a beneficial practice for people in any profession no matter the position or in any relationship whether with family, relatives and/or friends.
Here are some tips on how to maintain humility:
1. Understand that Allah is the Highest Power and there is no greater power than Allah. Practicing regular prayer and praising Allah when we raise our hands to make du’a are two of the many methods we remember Him:
➞ “Say, “O Allāh, Owner of Sovereignty, You give sovereignty to whom You will and You take sovereignty away from whom You will. You honor whom You will and You humble whom You will. In Your hand is all good. Indeed, You are over all things competent,” (Surah Ali’Imran 3.26).
➞ “So be patient over what they say and exalt [Allah] with praise of your Lord before the rising of the sun and before its setting; and during periods of the night [exalt Him] and at the ends of the day, that you may be satisfied,” (Surah Taha, 20:130).
2. Understand that humans are imperfect; thus, there is always room for development. Remember that Allah is Al-Ghafur or Oft-Forgiving:
➞“O’ you who believe! Turn to Allah a sincere turning; maybe your Lord will remove from you, your evil and cause you to enter gardens beneath which rivers flow, on the day on which Allah will not abase the Prophet and those who believe with him; their light shall run on before them and on their right hands; they shall say: Our Lord! make perfect for us our light, and grant us protection, surely Thou hast power over all things” (Surah Al-Qamar, 66:8).”
➞“Do you not know that Allah-His is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth; He chastises whom He pleases; and forgives whom He pleases and Allah has power over all things,” (Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5:40).
3. Giving in any way whether it is a smile or money to charity is a method in tackling one’s own ego, increasing while attaining the best rewards from Allah. Any righteous act adds up to a worth of 83 years. Not to mention, to give zakat during Ramadan reaps rewards worth 70 times. It is also stated in the Qur’an, if one gives charity in secret, it is even better for them:
➞“Whatever of your wealth you spend, shall (first) be for your parents, and for the near
of kin, and the orphans, and the needy, and the wayfarer; and whatever good you do,
verily, God has full knowledge thereof,” (Quran Surah Al Baqarah 2:215).
➞“Charity in secret, quiets the wrath of God and takes away one’s sin as the water puts out the fire and keeps away seventy kinds of calamities.” (Charity In Quran 2:271).
4. Listen. Sometimes, we get carried away talking rather than practicing listening. There is a reason, for example, we practice listening skills or listening comprehension in the world of academia; it is a crucial skill for the real life and for our personal development as individuals in both mind and heart:
➞”And when the Quran is recited, then listen to it and pay attention so that you may receive mercy” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2: 204).
➞ The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak a good word or remain silent. And whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should show hospitality to his neighbor. And whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should show hospitality to his guest,” (Sahih Muslim 47).
5. Celebrate others because their success is also your success especially when you are the one congratulating them.
➞ There are five divine guidelines that the Qur’an clearly presents to Muslims for building tolerance and understanding among different religions. Everyone’s God-given human dignity must be respected, regardless of his or her faith, race, ethnic origin, gender, or social status (ref. Qur’an, 17:70).
Practice humility while reaping rewards beyond your imagination because Allah knows best.
About the Author:
Rumki Chowdhury is Editor of World Hijab Day Organization. Moreover, she is a professional editor and an award-winning published author and poet. She has an MA in English Literature from Queen Mary University of London, a BA in English Writing from William Paterson University of New Jersey and an English Subject Teaching Degree from Gävle Högskolan in Stockholm, Sweden. She speaks Bengali and Swedish fluently! She has years of experience in the media and publishing worlds. Rumki lives with her husband and their three daughters.
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