Rafed English

People who do not deserve to be shown Humility

Adopted from the book : "Pride" by : "Mujahidali A.R. Sheriff"

Humility cannot be shown to all the people. Here are some categories of people who do not deserve to be shown humility. Most of us fail to distinguish these people and many a time we honour them while on the other hand forget the deserving ones.

This category of people are the following :

i. Non Believers and Sinners

There is no doubt that a believer irrespective of his colour, caste or status is better than a disbeliever or a sinful person.

Allah (s.w.t.) says : "Is he then who is a believer like him who is a transgressor? They at not equal." (Sajdah/18)

In another place the Almighty Allah says : "And do not marry the idolatrous until they believe, and certainly a believing maid is better than an idolatous woman even though she may allure you." (Al-Baqarah/221)

So one cannot compare a believer with any disbeliever or even with a transgressor. A believer has an exceptional dignity bestowed upon him by Allah (s.w.t.). He achieved this dignity because of his belief in Allah (s.w.t.) and therefore showing humbleness and humility to a disbeliever is belittling Imaan (Belief) before Kufr (Disbelief) thus disgracing the Imaan.

ii. The Rich for their Wealth

The Holy Qur’an and the narration have both strongly protested against showing humility towards rich people their wealth. Almighty Allah says : "And do not stretch your eyes after that with which we have provided different classes of them (of) the splendour of this world’s life that we may therefore try them." (Taha/131)

Imam Ali (a.s.) has said : "Whoever comes to a rich person and expresses humility for his wealth, Allah snatches two thirds of his religion."

Ayatlullah Dasti Ghayb explains the above hadith beautifully in his book ‘Adh-Dhunooh al Kabeera’ (The major Sins). He writes that Imaam is made up of three things.

a) Conviction at heart;
b) Admission by tongue: and
c) Action by parts of the body.

Since showing humility to the rich for their wealth is expressed by the first two i.e. the heart and tongue, therefore two thirds of one’s faith goes away.

iii. To the Proud Ones

Avoid showing humility and being humble before the proud ones. This is because showing humility to such kind of people firstly, brings self-humiliation and disgrace and secondly, it will encourage the proud ones to continue with pride and disregard the rights of others. Moreover, by not showing humility to a proud one, there are chances that he might acknowledge his grave mistake.

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) has said : "If you notice the humble ones in my nation, then show humility towards them and if you see the proud ones, then show (your) pride over them for verily for them in that is humiliation and lowliness." (Jami’us saadaat)

Finally, we pray to the Almighty Allah (s.w.t.) to guide us and save us from Kibr of all kinds.

Aamina Rabbal ‘Aalameen.

Walahu Waliyyut Tawfeeque.

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