How to Achieve Humbleness in Your Heart?

Humbleness is the opposite of arrogance, and is an attitude and behavior that Allah and His Messenger (Peace and blessings be upon him) have commanded us to have. It is also a great tool used to spread Islam to others.

Categories: Tazkiah - Actions of the heart -

The best way to achieve humbleness in the heart is contained in the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings be upon him), who prescribed many methods to teach his companions how to be humble. We ask Allah to help us all become humble and stay firm on that path. Following are some of the methods and ways of achieving humbleness:

Extending As-Salam (Saying As-Salamu Alaykum, Peace be Unto You)

Abdullah ibn ‘Amer said that a man asked the Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings be upon him), “Which part of Islam is the best?” He said, “To feed the food (to the poor), and to extend As Salam to those whom you know and whom you do not know.” [Al-Bukhari]

«أن رجلا سأل النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: أي الإسلام خير؟ قال: تطعم الطعام، وتقرأ السلام على من عرفت ومن لم تعرف» رواه البخاري

Therefore, extending As-Salam to the old, young, rich, poor, noble, common folk, stranger and relative, will open one’s heart to achieve humbleness and will shut the door closed for arrogance and tyranny.

Concerning the permissibility of men greeting women with salaam and women greeting men, it is only permitted when there is no fear of Fitnah.

The Muslim woman who fears Allah must do her duty towards Allah, and not speak to non-Mahram men in ways that may raise their hopes or tempt them. If she needs to go to a shop or a place where there are men, she should be modest and cover herself, and follow Islamic etiquette. If she speaks to men, she should speak in an honorable manner in which there is no Fitnah and nothing dubious.

Muslims should hate that people stand up for them

Mu’awiyah bin Abi Sufyan once entered a house where Abdullah ibn Az-Zubayr and Abdullah ibn ‘Amer were sitting. Abdullah ibn ‘Amer stood up while Ibn Az-Zubayr did not. Mu’awiyah said, “O ibn ‘Amer! Sit down, for I heard the Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings be upon him) say, ‘Let those who like for people to stand up for them take their seats in the Fire.’” [Authenticated by Al-Albani]

«من أحب أن يتمثل له الرجال قياما، فليتبوأ مقعده من النار» صححه الألباني

This Hadith prohibits the Muslim to like that people stand up for him when he meets with or passes by them. Furthermore, this Hadith teaches Muslims to enjoin righteousness and forbid evil, for Mu’awiyah criticized Abdullah ibn ‘Amer for standing up for him.

Sitting wherever one finds space

Jabir bin Samurah said, “When we used to come to the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him), we would sit wherever we find space.” Also, Ibn Umar narrated that the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) said, what translated means, “One of you must not remove a man from his place and sit in it. However, (those already sitting should) make space and spread up (leaving adequate space for newcomers).” [Authenticated by Al-Albain]

«لا يقيمن أحدكم الرجل من مجلسه ثم يجلس فيه، و لكن تفسحوا و توسعوا» صححه الألباني

Also, Ibn Umar used to avoid the place which a man vacated to make space for him. Therefore, one should sit wherever he finds space, whether in the center of the audience or not. Also, those who accept it that first-comers have the right to the best seats because all Muslims whether rich or poor are equal, will achieve humbleness in their hearts and deed, Allah willing.

Prohibiting the Muslim from claiming purity for himself

Allah said, what translated means,

{So ascribe not purity to yourselves. He knows best him who fears Allah and keep his duty to Him [i.e. those who are Al-Muttaqun (pious} [An-Najm 53:32]

{...فَلَا تُزَكُّوا أَنفُسَكُمْ ۖ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَنِ اتَّقَىٰ} النجم: 32

Transliteration:fala tuzakkoo anfusakum huwa aAAlamu bimani ittaqa

Muhammad ibn ‘Amr ibn A’ta’ said that he named his daughter Barrah (the righteous one). However, Zaynab bint Abi Salamah said that the Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings be upon him) prohibited using this name when she was called “Barrah.” He said, “Do not ascribe purity to yourselves; Allah knows the righteous ones among you.” The companions asked, “What should we call her?” He said, “Zaynab.” [Reported by Abu Dawood and authenticated by Al-Ablani]

«إن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم نهى عن هذا الاسم سميت برة فقال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم لا تزكوا أنفسكم، الله أعلم بأهل البر منكم. فقال: ما نسميها؟ قال: سموها زينب» رواه أبو داود وصححه الألباني

Prohibiting praising people in their presence

Abu Musa said, “The Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) heard a man praising another man and saying good words about him while he was present with them. He said, ‘You have destroyed or broke the back of the man!’” [Muslim]

«سمع النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم رجلا يثني على رجل، ويطريه في المدحة. فقال: لقد أهلكتم، أو قطعتم، ظهر الرجل» رواه مسلم

Also, Abdur Rahman bin Abi Bakrah said that a man was once mentioned in the presence of the Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings be upon him). Another man said good words of praise about him. The Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings be upon him) then said, what translated means, “Woe unto you! You have beheaded your friend. If one of you has to praise, let him say, ‘I think this and that’ (about the praised man), if he thinks that he deserves it, ‘And his reckoning is with Allah,’ and let him not ascribe purity (to anyone).” [Al-Bukhari & Muslim]

«أن رجلا ذكر عند النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فأثنى عليه رجل خيرا، فقال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: ويحك، قطعت عنق صاحبك -يقوله مرارا- إن كان أحدكم مادحا لا محالة فليقل: أحسب كذا وكذا، إن كان يرى أنه كذلك، والله حسيبه، ولا يزكي على الله أحدا» رواه البخاري مسلم

Also, Ibrahim At-Taymi said, “We were sitting in the presence of Umar when a man praised another man to his face. Umar said, ‘You ‘Aqartahu (crippled him), may Allah do the same to you.’”

Hammam bin al-Harith reported that a person began to praise ‘Uthman and Miqdad sat upon his knee; and he was a bulky person and began to throw pebbles upon his (flatterer’s) face. Thereupon ‘Uthman said: What is the matter with you? And he said: Verily, Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: When you see those who shower (undue) praise (upon others), throw dust upon their faces.” [Muslim]

«أن رجلا جعل يمدح عثمان. فعمد المقداد، فجثا على ركبتيه. وكان رجلا ضخما. فجعل يحثو في وجهه الحصباء. فقال له عثمان: ما شأنك؟ فقال: إن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: إذا رأيتم المداحين، فاحثوا في وجوههم التراب» رواه مسلم

From these Hadiths and stories, we conclude that the Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings be upon him) prohibited praising others, especially while they can hear their praise. This is because such praise may encourage the praised persons to overestimate themselves, especially if they were people of position or wealth. Also, such praise may lead the praised person to be arrogant, which may lead to laziness and a lower number of good deeds, for one will depend on what he heard of praise and ignore acquiring more good deeds.

Share Islam Team