An uprooter of Self-opinion for an attentive one

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Allah, The Most High, said:

هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِكُمْ إِذْ أَنشَأَكُم مِّنَ الْأَرْضِ وَإِذْ أَنتُمْ أَجِنَّةٌ فِي بُطُونِ أُمَّهَاتِكُمْ ۖ فَلَا تُزَكُّوا أَنفُسَكُمْ ۖ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَنِ اتَّقَىٰ

He knows you well when He created you from the earth [Adam], and when you were fetuses in your mothers’ wombs. So ascribe not purity to yourselves. He knows best him who fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him. [An-Najm. 32]

Imam As-Sadi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

Weakness is present and witnessed from you since the time Allah created you from the earth [i.e. the origin of your father (Adam- peace be upon him)] and whilst you were in the wombs of your mothers. Even though Allah places strength in you to perform what you have been commanded, however, you have not ceased being weak. [فَلَا تُزَكُّوا أَنفُسَكُمْ – So ascribe not purity to yourselves]- Meaning: Do not address the people about (yourself) by way of praise. [هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَنِ اتَّقَىٰ- He (Allaah) knows best him who fears Allah and keep his duty to Him]- Meaning: Because indeed fear of Allah is situated in the heart and Allah (alone) is the One acquainted with its (true reality). [1]

Allah said:

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لَا يَسۡخَرۡ قَوۡمٌ۬ مِّن قَوۡمٍ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَكُونُواْ خَيۡرً۬ا مِّنۡہُمۡ وَلَا نِسَآءٌ۬ مِّن نِّسَآءٍ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَكُنَّ خَيۡرً۬ا مِّنۡہُنَّ‌ۖ

O you who believe! Let not a group scoff at another group, it may be that the latter are better than the former; nor let (some) women scoff at other women, it may be that the latter are better than the former. [Al-Hujurat. 11]

Al-Allamah Salih al-Fawzan, may Allah preserve him, stated:

Scoffing at Muslims is not permissible, rather a Muslim has status. A Muslim has rights that Allah has given and to be fulfilled by other Muslims, which cannot be violated. Therefore, it is not permissible to scoff at a Muslim or make fun of him. It may be that the one you scoff at is better than you in the sight of Allah. Therefore, do not scoff at people regardless of how poor they may be, regardless of what their appearance may be concerning their clothing or physical appearance. This is because the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “Many a person with dishevelled hair and covered with dust is turned away from the doors (whereas) were he to swear by Allah (about something), Allah will fulfil it”. [a] This person is a close friend among the close friends of Allah and were he to swear by Allah (about something), Allah would make it happen due to his high status in the sight of Allah, even though he is driven away from the doors. If he intercedes (for someone), his intercession will not be accepted; if he is absent, he is not missed, but he is a great one in the sight of Allah. So do not scoff at a believer whatever his status is, for indeed a believer is noble in the sight of Allah [Glorified and Exalted be He]. A believer has a station. has rights (that are not to be violated) and status in the sight of Allah. [2]

Imam An-Nawawi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

This type of person is one whom the people drive away from their doors in humiliation, but he is someone that if he were to swear by Allah about something, Allah will make it happen as an honour for him- by answering his request and safeguarding him from sin with regards to his oath. This is due to his great station in the sight of Allah [The Exalted], even though he is someone despised in the sight of the people. It is said that the meaning of [الْقَسَمِ in this hadeeth is (الدُّعَاءُ – supplication) and (إِبْرَارُهُ ) means (إِجَابَتُهُ -the response to the supplication)]. [3]

We ask Allah not to allow us to be deceived by the good opinions people hold about us, as Imam Al-Qahtaanee, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

“And You (Allah) have placed love for me within the hearts….And the affection from You is through mercy and kindness….And You have spread – amongst the people – good about me… And conceal my acts of disobedience from their eyes…And you have made my good mention amongst the people common (or widespread)…until you made them all my brothers….By Allaah, if they knew the repugnance of my secret affairs (or inner self)….The one who meets me would have refused to give me Salaams…And they would have turned away from me and loath my companionship…And I would have brought disgrace upon myself after being honoured…But you conceal my faults and deficiencies…And you dealt with my sins and transgression with forbearance (i.e. gave me the opportunity to repent)…So all praise and commendations- by way of my thoughts, limbs, and tongue- is Yours…. [4]

[1] An Excerpt from “Tafseer As-Sadi”

[2] An Excerpt from “It’haaf at-Tullaab Bi-Sharh Mandhumah Al-Aadab. 101-102

[a]  Sahih Muslim. Number 2662. Kitaab Al-Bir Was-Silah Wal Aadab

[3] An Excerpt from “Sharh Saheeh Muslim” Vol 15-16’ page 144’ publisher: Daar Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah’ 1st ed. (1421AH- Year 2000)]

[4] Refer to first lines of Al-Qahtaanee’s Nooniyyah