The Noble quality of Humbleness

The Noble quality of Humbleness

HUMBLENESS is an attribute liked by Almighty Allah. Those who humble  themselves  for the pleasure of Almighty Allah are raised to high ranks by Him and those who boast about themselves are humbled by Him.

Vanity is the aggrandizing of some blessing while forgetting that it came from God. Vanity originates from one’s ignorance of two matters: God alone is the Fashioner and the Giver of Blessings and we human beings are incapable of accomplishing anything without God’s will and blessings. If one accomplishes something, let him or her remember God and be grateful, and not swagger with haughtiness. For if we do not humble ourselves, God will humble us. When men and women are blessed with exceptional outward beauty, they introduce ugliness when they have vanity for it.

Allah Subhanahu wa T’ala mentions in the Holy Qur’an : “That Abode of the Next World: We grant it to those who do not seek to exalt themselves in the earth or to cause corruption in it. The successful outcome is for the Godfearing,” (Surah Al Qasas,Chapter 28: Verse 83).

The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “A Mu’min(true believer) cannot have kibr (pride) in him.”

Imam Gazali(RA) mentions following couplets in Mukashifatul Quloob :

” In humility be like stars which appear like drops of water on the sky but are giant in reality.

Don’t be like smoke which goes high in the sky but is useless and has no worth”

Few traditions about Gentleness

Hadith #1

Hadrat Abu Hurayra(Radiyallahu Anhu) reported that Allah’s Messenger(peace be upon him) was saying “Charitable donation does not in any way decrease the wealth, and the servant who forgives, Allah Most High adds to his honor, and the one who adopts humility for the pleasure of Allah Most High , Allah elevates his rank. “ { Muslim al-Sahih 4:2001 Hadith #2588; al-Darimi Al-Sunan 1:486 Hadith #1676 ; Ibn Khuzayma in al-Sahih 4:97 HAdith #2438; Abu Yala in alMusnad 11:344 Hadith #6458}

Hadith #2

According to Hadrat ‘Abd Allah b.Masud(Radiyallahu Anhu): “The Messenger of Allah(peace be upon him) said:”‘ Shall I not inform you of whom the fire is forbidden and he who is forbidden for the fire? He is the one who is near to people due to his good moral character, he is gentle in his temperament and he is considered very easy(to deal with) for his conduct.'” {Ahmed b.Hanbal in al-Musnad,1:415 Hadith #3938;al-Tirmidhi in al-sunan,4:654 Hadith #2488.*Abu Yala in al-Musnad,8:467 Hadith #5053;Ibn Hibban in al-sahih,2:215 Hadith #469}

Hadith #3

Hadrat Abu al-Darda(Radiyallahu Anhu) narrated that the Prophet(peace be upon him) said“Whoever is bequeathed with a major share from gentleness has been bequeathed with a major share of goodness.And Whoever has been deprived of his share of gentleness has been deprived of his share of goodness.”{Ahmad b.Hanbal in al-Musnad,6:451 Hadith #27593;*al-Tirmidhi in al-Sunan,4:367  Hadith #2013;Ishaq b.Rahway in al-Musnad,5:263 Hadith #2417.al-Humaydi in al-Musnad,1:193 Hadith #393}

Hadith #4

According to Hadrat Abu Darda(Radiyallahu Anhu): “The Holy Prophet(peace be upon him) said: ‘ The sign of a person’s wisdom lies in his gentleness in the worldly matter‘”{Ahmed b.Hanbal in al-Musnad,5:194 Hadith #21742.*al-Tabarani in Musnad al-Shamiyyin,2:352 Hadith #1482}

Humbleness of our Beloved Prophet(peace be upon him)

Dignity with God comes to those who are humble before Him; who place prime value on how they are received by their Maker and not by how they will be judged by the ephemeral norms of people. When the Prophet(peace be upon him) saw a reflection of himself—and he was a beautiful man—he would make the following supplication: “O God, as You have made my countenance most excellent, make my character most excellent.”

Prophet(peace be upon him) chose poverty over wealth: he did not have money in his home, and he slept on the floor upon a bed made out of leather stuffed with palm fibers;he did not have jewelry; he had two pillows in his room for guests. The Messenger of God(peace be upon him), despite the elevation of his station and the loftiness of his position, was humble in the midst of his companions, close to them, teaching them that  high status and loving regard can only be achieved in the hearts of mankind by means of humbling oneself before them, never by lording oneself over them.

Hadith

By way of Abu Mas’ud, who said, “The Messenger of God approached a man and spoke to him, whereupon the man began to tremble where he stood. So, He said to him, ‘Calm down, for I am no king. I am just the son of a woman who ate meat rendered into jerkey.’” {Ibn Majah, Sunan (Kitab Al-At’imah, chapter on ‘Jerked meat’), vol. 2, p. 1101, no (3312). Al-Hakim, Mustadrak (Kitab Al-Maghazi wa Al-Siyar), vol. 3, p. 50, no (4366),he declared it authentic}