Superiority of the Humble and Modest

(Article written for Issue 17 of the Noor Magazine)

In the Name of Allah, the Glorified and Exalted, who says in the Qur’an, “And keep yourself (O Muhammad (SAW)) patiently with those who call on their Rubb (Lord) morning and afternoon, seeking His Face; and let not your eyes overlook them, desiring the pomp and glitter of the life of this world; and obey not him whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance, and who follows his own lust, and whose affair (deeds) has been lost.” (18:28)

Here we are, a new year approaching (coincidentally, according to both the Christian and Muslim calendars) and a nice time to think about change, for the start of the Muslim Hijri calendar signifies just that: a change, a move from oppression in Makkah to liberation in Madinah.

The choice, ultimately, that each of us faces is twofold. On the one hand, we can rise in pride, chin raised, chest puffed, conforming to the masses we can walk the earth as kings; you are your own boss and free to do as you please. On the other hand, the more difficult option, we can step back, reflect upon, regret and refrain from past mistakes, and decide that there is a purpose more meaningful; you humble yourself with those who recognise and call on their Lord, morning and evening, seeking His Face.

That is the topic of my article: The superiority of those who humble themselves before God and the excellence of those who choose the path of modesty. To demonstrate the point I have selected just three Ahadith (sayings of the Prophet). The list is by no means exhaustive and there is definitely no shortage of teachings on the matter.

(1) Harithah bin Wahb (RA) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (SAW) saying, “Shall I not inform you about the people of Jannah? 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 calls upon Allah, Allah will certainly give him what he desires. Now shall I not inform you about the inmates of Hell? It is every violent, rude and proud man.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

We see here the distinction of such modest and humble persons who, despite not having any important position in society, are so eminent in piety and trust in Allah that if they were to take an oath for something, Allah Almighty would fulfil it. Not only does this Hadith highlight the importance of modesty, it condemns pride, miserliness and lust for name and fame.

(2) Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri (RA) reported that the Prophet (SAW) said: There was a dispute between Hell and Jannah.

Hell said: “The haughty and proud are my inmates.”

Jannah said: “The modest and the humble are my residents.”

Thereupon, Allah the Exalted and Glorious (addressing Jannah) said: “You are My Mercy, through you I shall show mercy to those whom I wish.”

(And addressing Hell), He said: “You are (the means) of My punishment by which I shall punish such of My slaves as I wish and each one of you would have its fill.” (Muslim)

In this Hadith the people who are termed as ‘modest’ and ‘humble’ are those who are rich in faith and piety, who lead a life of patience and contentment. This Hadith gives glad tidings to such noble people. On the contrary, this Hadith has a threat of Hell for those who disobey the commandments of Allah out of haughtiness and pride, who refuse to bow down their faces in submission of their Lord, Most High. Now, it is entirely our own choice which way we go, and as the old saying goes, there is no time better than the present.

(3) Abu Hurairah (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “On the Day of Resurrection, there will be brought forth a bulky person whose value to Allah will be less than that of the wing of a mosquito.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

The manifestation of power and splendour, which we consider to be so important, will be of no value to Allah on the Day of Account. In the Hereafter, Allah will judge a person by his faith, devotion and piety. Therefore, over and above all else, it is essential that we concentrate on the reformation of our hearts, and it is vital that we develop a relationship with our Lord, the Most Glorified and Exalted. This Hadith makes it abundantly clear that what really matters with Allah is faith and piety; not lineage nor pomp nor show.

Summary

These Ahadith prove many points. The one that concerns us most here is that we must avoid copying those who are haughty and proud no matter how attractive their appearance is. The pleasure that comes with such imitation is deceptive and short-lived. True success lies instead in humbling ourselves before Allah. We must try to emulate those of virtue, humility and modesty, because seeking the pleasure of people is nothing but a fad. The very people whose pleasure we seek, like us, will be gone tomorrow, leaving this world to stand before their Lord, the Most Great, on a Day when there will be no bargaining, nor friendship, nor intercession.

Subhaana-Allah, those very people whose praise we seek and strive for, will forget us the day we are laid down and flattened in our graves. When that last piece of soil is placed on your grave, the people will all turn around, walk away and return to their jobs and their bills, leaving you alone, all alone, with nothing but your deeds, to answer the question, O Son of Adam, why did you not humble yourself before your Lord, Most High? O Son of Adam, why did you not humble yourself before your Lord, the most deserving of submission?

O Allah, just as You have made our external features beautiful, make our character beautiful as well, and make our faces forbidden for the Hellfire. Ameen.

Rceommended Reading: Riyadh-Us-Saliheen, a compilation of Hadith by Imam An-Nawawi