Self praise – Now that we know that shaitaan in the form our carnal desires influences the way we think and behave, we look into some of the ways in which he does this..
“The idol of yourself is the mother of (all) idols, because that (material) idol is (only) a snake, while this spiritual idol is a dragon.” Matanawi 1:772.
One night 2 men jumped over the wall of Hazrath Dawood (AS)’s fort and asked him to judge between them. The one said that my brother has ninety nine ewes while I have only one ewe and he persists that he wants my one ewe.
” (David) said, ‘He has certainly been unjust to you in demanding your ewe (to be added) to his own ewes. And Surely many partners transgress against one another except those who believe (in God) and do deeds of righteousness. Yet how few are these!’ (While saying this) David realised that We had tried him, therefore he sought protection of his Lord and fell down bowing in worship and turned (to his Lord) in repentance.” Al Quran 38:24
According to the translator’s note, the sin that Hazrath Dawood (AS) committed here was that he was thinking that he was one of those few righteous persons. Instead of just judging on the case he sort of used this as an excuse to indirectly brag about himself.
If Hazrath Dawood (AS) could make this mistake, then, most certainly we all must be guilty of such sins. We may not realise it but if we carefully analyse our actions and scrutinise our feelings carefully then we would see these shortcomings in us.
How often, when talking to people we sometimes include bits of information so as to bring to people’s attention our good conduct or piety or knowledge or strength etc. Sometimes we say things like “I am up from four in the morning and after fajar prayer I….”.
Our intention behind such conversations is to impress on the listener that we read our morning prayer. “have you not seen those who hold themselves to be righteous….” Al Quran 4:49.
Sometimes, we might quote a Hadith or we might argue a point so as to show people that we are knowledgeable. On a lesser scale we sometimes show people our homes or cars in order to show off our possessions. Sometimes we use our dressing as a means of impressing people. This kind of attitude shows self conceit and self reliance.
If we do not check ourselves and correct these habits then it could lead to us having pride and of all sins, pride is the worst. “…for Allah loves not any vainglorious boaster.” Al Quran 57:23.
“The Prophet ﷺ said: Seek refuge from the valley of grief which is a place in hell which even hell itself seeks refuge from it 490 times a day. When asked who will enter it, he said: The readers of Quran who are ostentatious in their deeds (make a show of their deeds).” AL Hadis 1:4:8:122.
It all starts off from thinking that we are better than someone else because of something we achieve or possess and it progresses to thinking that we are better than the Aulia Allah and the Prophet (SAW).
Many are the people that think that the Prophet ﷺ is no more than a person like themselves. Thinking well of oneself can even make one so proud that he could think that he is better than Allah SWT.
Pharaoh had reached such a state of pride where he believed that he was God. “And Pharaoh said, ‘O chiefs of my court! I know for you no god other than myself….” Al Quran 28:38.
Pride is the worst sin because it leads us towards shirk. “Shaddad b Masud (RA) reports that he once saw the Prophet ﷺ weeping. On him enquiring, the Prophet ﷺ said: I fear shirk most for my followers. Beware they will not worship idols, sun moon and stones, but they will do divine service for show.” Iha Uloom id Deen.
This habit to show off is inbuilt in us all and it stems from our “nafs”. Controlling and destroying our “nafs” or carnal desires is one of the challenges we as humans face and if we learn to overcome our pride then we would be successful in both worlds.
Whenever we say or do something we must ask ourselves why are we doing it. If we detect elements of conceit in our actions and we most certainly will, then we must admonish ourselves and try not to do it again. This pride will always rear its ugly head at different levels.
It does not mean that if we accomplish to control our pride over our dressing then we have won the battle. What will happen is that we would have pride in something else and if ever we control our pride in all spheres then we will have pride in this achievement.
This is the worst of all pride and this is what Hazrath Dawood (AS) was battling against in the above verse. A Murshid would teach more precise ways of meditation and contemplation.
Our Pir o Murshid, Hazrath Poona Wale Shah Saib (RA) said that pride was divided into ten parts and nine of these ten parts is in the learned religious people.
So if we have religious knowledge we have to be extra careful. Wealth and piety are also achievements that can cause us to have pride. “Those who fear Allah, when a thought of evil from satan assaults them, bring Allah to remembrance, when lo! They see (aright)” Al Quran Sura Al Araf 7:201
Published by Anjuman e Waris e Mohammedi. Author: Mohammad Hassan Gaffoor. WhatsApp: +27 84 910 1486