Author: Sayyed Musleh Uddin
The Fate of Scientific Arrogance (Part 13)
True Humility:
Yunus ibn ‘Ubayd says: “In the presence of Hasan al-Basri, the topic of humility was discussed. Hasan al-Basri said, ‘Do you know what humility is?’ We asked, ‘In your view, what is true humility?’ He replied, ‘True humility is that when you go out of your house, you consider every Muslim you see to be better than yourself.’”
“One must learn from the pupil of the eye — to see everyone, and not see themselves.” [1]
Arrogance and pride are among the most detestable traits a human can possess. This vile quality is one of the greatest causes for denying the truth and opposing the people of truth throughout human history. The Noble Messenger of Islam also condemned it in various ways and strongly warned his followers against it. Numerous hadiths have been reported on this topic, and to avoid making this too lengthy, only a few will be mentioned here.
Abdullah ibn Masoud narrates that the Prophet (PBUH) said: «لَا يَدْخُلُ الْجَنَّةَ إِنْسَانٌ فِي قَلْبِهِ مِثْقَالُ حَبَّةٍ مِنْ خَرْدَلٍ مِنْ كِبْرِ» Translation: “No one who has even a mustard seed’s weight of pride in their heart will enter Paradise.” [2]
Abu Huraira (MABH) narrates from the Prophet (PBUH) that a man was walking arrogantly and proudly, full of vanity and self-conceit, when suddenly the earth swallowed him, and he continues to sink into it until the Day of Resurrection. He also narrated: «إذا سمعت الرجل يقول هلك الناسُ، فهو أهلكهم» Translation: “When you hear someone say, ‘People are doomed,’ know that he is the most doomed among them.” [3]
Humility in Knowledge:
The Prophet (PBUH) said: “Be humble and modest with those from whom you learn knowledge.” [4]
Imam Mujahid (MABH) said: “Whoever feels shame or arrogance while learning will never acquire knowledge.”
Hazrat Umar (MABH) said: “Strive in seeking knowledge and teach what you have learned to others. Along with knowledge, learn composure and dignity. Be completely humble toward those from whom you learn and those to whom you teach. Do not be among the arrogant and prideful scholars, so that your knowledge and awareness may correct the crookedness and ignorance of your soul.” [5]
Humility and Sincerity:
“Do not worship like beggars for a reward,
For the Lord knows well how to nurture His servants.” [6]
The most crucial need for a seeker of knowledge is sincerity and the pursuit of Allah’s pleasure, for sincerity is the soul of all actions. Just as a body without a soul is deprived of life, likewise, any action not done sincerely for Allah’s sake holds no value because it lacks spiritual life.
Much has been said in the Qur’an, hadiths, and the works of scholars about sincerity in all actions. Here, only a few brief mentions are made.
Acquiring knowledge without a sincere intention is nothing but hardship and toil. Similarly, intention without sincerity is nothing but hypocrisy, showing off, and arrogance. Despite its immense importance, knowledge alone is not beneficial unless accompanied by a sincere intention. For example, Iblis, Balaam ibn Ba‘ura, and others had a great deal of knowledge, but because it was not accompanied by sincerity and the pursuit of Allah, it led to their downfall and fueled their pride and arrogance.
For this reason, Allah Almighty has emphasized sincerity in many parts of the Qur’an. For instance, in Surah Al-Isra (verses 18–19), we read: «مَنْ كَانَ يُرِيدُ الْعَاجِلَةَ عَجَّلْنَا لَهُ فِيهَا مَا نَشَاءُ لِمَن نُّرِيدُ ثُمَّ جَعَلْنَا لَهُ جَهَنَّمَ يَصْلَاهَا مَذْمُومًا مَّدْحُورًا وَمَنْ أَرَادَ الْآخِرَةَ وَسَعَى لَهَا سَعْيَهَا وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَأُولَئِكَ كَانَ سَعْيُهُم مَّشْكُورًا” Translation: “Whoever desires the immediate (worldly life), We hasten for him from it what We will to whom We will. Then We appoint for him Hell, wherein he will enter to burn, disgraced and rejected. But whoever desires the Hereafter and strives for it with the striving it deserves, while he is a believer — then the effort of such will be appreciated.” [7]
Commentators of the hadith “Indeed, actions are judged by intentions…” mention that Imam al-Bukhari (MABH) placed this hadith at the beginning of his book to emphasize that any student of knowledge should first correct their intention before pursuing knowledge.
Continues…
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References:
1. Select Verses from Great Minds, Treasure of Mysticism, No. 2
2. Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 91
3. Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 2623; Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith No. 4983
4. Kanz al-‘Ummal, Vol. 3, p. 453
5. The Status of Knowledge and Scholars, p. 213
6. Hafez’s Ghazals, Ghazal No. 177
7. Surah Al-Isra, Verses 18–19
