TAMBIHUL GHAAFILEEN - ADMONITION FOR THE NEGLECTFUL
by Faqih Abul Laith Samarqandi

14. PRIDE

PRIDE MEANS TO CONSIDER ONESELF AS BEING SUPERIOR AND TO LOOK DOWN ON OTHERS.

Hadhrat Hassan bin Ali (R.A) passed by some poor persons who were sitting on a shawl and eating from a piece of bread. Upon seeing him, they all invited him to partake of the meal. He alighted form his conveyance and joined them saying, "I do not like proud people." After eating with them, he took them all to his house and fed them whatever was available.

THREE PEOPLE ARE DESERVING OF PUNISHMENT.

Rasulullah (sallallahu-alayhi-wa-sallam) has mentioned that Allah will not speak to three persons on the Day of Qiyamah. He will not even look at them with mercy. However, He will subject them to a most excruciating punishment.

The first is the old man who fornicates. Although fornication is just as abominable in youth as it is in old age, it is much worse in old age because the old person is close to death and has begun to loose his carnal passions.

The second person is that king who lies. Lying is worse for a king because he has none to fear and cannot be forced into doing so.

The third person is a proud beggar. Pride is worse for a beggar because he has nothing to be proud of.

THE FIRST THREE PEOPLE TO ENTER JANNAH AND JAHANNAM.

Rasulullah (sallallahu-alayhi-wa-sallam) has mentioned that he was shown the first three people to enter Jannah, as well as the first three to enter Jahannam. Those to be admitted first to Jannah shall be:

1. The martyr (who sacrificed his life in Allah´s path with sincerity).
2. The slave whose slavery did not prevent him from obeying Allah. He obeyed his master without compromising on the commandments of Allah.
3. The poor person who had children (he was physically weak, as well as handicapped by a lack of wealth and being a father to many children. However, he remained patient and grateful).

The first three to be entered into Jahannam shall be:

1. The ruler who continually oppressed his subjects.
2. The person who does not pay zakaah (it is futile to expect any charity from the person who cannot even pay his zakaah).
3. The proud beggar (being proud despite the impediments of destitution and poverty reveal a wretched and base personality).

ALLAH DETESTS THREE PERSONS.

1. All sinners, especially those who are aged.
2. All misers, especially those who are wealthy.
3. All proud people, especially the proud beggar.

THE THREE PERSONS WHO ARE MOST BELOVED TO ALLAH.

1. The abstinent, especially the abstinent youth.
2. The generous, especially the poor person who is generous.
3. The humble, especially a wealthy man who is humble.

THE REALITY OF PRIDE.

Rasulullah (sallallahu-alayhi-wa-sallam) has mentioned that the person who has pride equivalent to a mustard seed will not enter Jannah. Someone asked, "I like my clothes and shoes to be nice and clean. Is this also pride?"

Rasulullah (sallallahu-alayhi-wa-sallam) replied, "No. Allah is beautiful and appreciates beauty. He wants to see the effects of His bounties on His bondsmen. Allah dislikes a wealthy person from adopting the appearance of a poor person. Pride means that a person looks down upon others. The person who keeps his shoes in order, patches his clothing, and prostrates to Allah is free from pride."

THE MOST DETESTABLE PERSON.

Hadhrat Moosa (A.S) once asked Allah, "Which of your creation is most detestable in Your sight?" Allah replied, "The person whose heart is filled with pride, whose tongue is harsh, whose conviction is weak and whose hands are miserly."

WORDS OF WISDOM.

"The fruit of patience is comfort and the fruit of humility is love. The pride of a Mu´min is his Rabb, his honour is his religion. On the other hand, the pride of the hypocrite is his lineage and his wealth is his honour."

ALLAH DISLIKES STRUTTING.

Muhallab bin Mughiera, who was in the army of Hajaaj, once passed Mutarraf bin Abdullah (R.A) strutting in elegant clothes. Mutarraf (R.A) told him, "Oh servant of Allah! Allah does not like this walk."

Muhallab retorted, "Do you not know who I am?" Mutarraf (R.A) replied, "I know you very well. You were originally a drop of dirty fluid and will soon become a stinking corpse. At this point in time you are carrying a load of excrement with you." After hearing this Muhallab changed his walk.

GOOD CHARACTER MEANS TO BEHAVE HUMBLY TOWARDS THE HUMBLE AND BEHAVE PROUDLY WITH THE PROUD.

Rasulullah (sallallahu-alayhi-wa-sallam) has mentioned, "Behave humbly towards the humble and proudly towards the proud. Your pride will be a cause of disgrace and humiliation to the proud people and it will be charity on your part."

THE HIGHEST FORM OF HUMILITY.

Hadhrat Umar (R.A) said, "The highest form of humility is that you greet every Muslim, are pleased with the worst place in a gathering and that you dislike being praised."

HUMILITY IS A TRAIT OF THE AMBIYAA (AS), WHILE PRIDE IS THE TRAIT OF THE KUFFAAR.

Faqih Abul Laith Samarqandi (R.A) has mentioned that humility is the sterling quality of the Ambiyaa (A.S) and the pious. On the other hand, pride is the trait of the kuffar and people like Fir´oun. The humble and proud people are mentioned as follows in the Qur´aan:

1. "The bondsmen of Rahmaan are those who walk upon the earth in humility."
2. "Oh Rasulullah (sallallahu-alayhi-wa-sallam)! Behave humbly towards the believers."
3. "You [Oh Rasulullah (sallallahu-alayhi-wa-sallam)] are a embodiment the most noble of character."
4. "When they are told that there is no deity besides Allah they are arrogant."
5. "Verily those who do not worship Me due to their pride shall soon enter Jahannam in humiliation."
6. "Enter the doors of Jahannam, wherein you shall abide forever. Terrible inaction is the abode of the proud ones."
7. "Undoubtedly Allah does not like those who are proud."

Humility is the noblest trait of good character. Rasulullah (sallallahu-alayhi-wa-sallam) was so humble that he even rode a donkey and accepted the invitation of slaves.

THE HUMILITY OF HADHRAT IBN UMAR (R.A).

A visitor once came to Hadhrat Abdullah bin Umar (R.A) during the night while he was busy writing under a lantern. When the light of the lantern began to dwindle, the guest offered to fix it. Hadhrat Abdullah bin Umar (R.A) said, "It is contrary to good manners that a person takes service from his guest."

The guest then asked if he should awaken the slave. Hadhrat Abdullah bin Umar (R.A) replied, "No. He has just fallen off to sleep." Consequently, Hadhrat Abdullah bin Umar (R.A) got up himself and poured oil into the lantern. The guest then asked, "Why did you undergo such trouble when I was available?" Hadhrat Abdullah bin Umar (R.A) replied, "I was Ibn Umar then and I am Ibn Umar now as well. Pouring oil into the lantern did not diminish my rank in the least. In fact, Allah loves those who are humble."

THE HUMILITY OF HADHRAT UMAR (R.A)

It is well known that when Hadhrat Umar (R.A) was travelling to Shaam, he took turns riding with his slave. While the one would ride the other would lead the animal by it´s reins. On one occasion, Hadhrat Umar (R.A) placed his shoes beneath his arm so as to cross over some water. As they approached their destination, the governor, Hadhrat Abu Ubaidah (R.A) came to welcome them.

Seeing Hadhrat Umar (R.A) leading the animal, Hadhrat Abu Ubaidah (R.A), "Oh Ameerul Mu´mineen! The people have come out to meet you. It is not befitting for them to see you in this condition. Why do you not mount the animal? Hadhrat Umar (R.A) replied, "Allah gave us honour by virtue of Islam. Now I will not take heed to what people say. (I will not be unjust to this slave on account of what people have to say)."

THE HUMILITY OF HADHRAT SALMAAN FAARSI (R.A)

Hadhrat Salmaan Faarsi (R.A), after been appointed as governor of Madinah, was once walking through the marketplace. Mistaking him to be a slave, someone instructed him to carry a load. Hadhrat Salmaan (R.A) happily complied. As they were walking through the streets, people began to wonder in astonishment. Each one of them said, "May Allah have mercy on you Oh Ameerul Mu´mineen! Allow us to carry the load." However, Hadhrat Salmaan (R.A) refused all of them and continued to carry the load.

When the person realized his error, he apologized for not recognizing the governor. Hadhrat Salmaan (R.A) said, "Do not worry about it. Just keep walking." The two eventually reached the person´s house. The person was so embarrassed about his behaviour that he vowed never to employ the services of anyone.

THE HUMILITY OF HADHRAT ALI (R.A).

Hadhrat Ali (R.A) once purchased two garments from a shop and then asked his slave to first chose which of the two he liked best. The slave chose the better of the two for himself and Hadhrat Ali (R.A) happily wore the other. When Hadhrat Ali (R.A) noticed that the sleeves of his garment were too long, he asked for a scissors, cut the sleeves to size, and proceeded to deliver a sermon.

This was the behaviour of our predecessors. They were never fussy or demanding. On the other hand, we are totally different and cannot do without behaving querulously and demandingly.

RANKS ARE RAISED BY SPENDING IN CHARITY AND BY FORGIVING OTHERS WITHOUT 3 TRAITS GRANTS JANNAH.

Rasulullah (sallallahu-alayhi-wa-sallam) has mentioned, "Wealth does not decrease when spent in charity (but rather increases). Forgiving the transgressions of others raises a person´s ranks. If three traits are not within a person when he dies, he shall enter Jannah, viz.

(1) Pride, (2) Betrayal and (3) Debts.