Humility is a very integral trait for every Muslim. We must beware of feeling overly proud and conceited. The concept of God in Islam describes Him as the Most Merciful and the Most Loving and whatever He prescribes for humankind is in the best interest of humankind. Submission to the will of God is a pathway to purity, to peace and ultimately to Paradise. Allah says:
وَعِبَادُ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ هَوْنًا وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ الْجَاهِلُونَ قَالُوا سَلَامًا
“The servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth in humility, and when the ignorant address them, they say words of peace.” (Surah Al-Furqan 25:63)
It is the complete sense of humbleness that overcomes one who is submitted to the will of God, the Almighty. Humility is when a person does not see himself as being better or above other people because of frivolous reasons like social standing, education, citizenship, or even colour. Allah says:
ادْعُوا رَبَّكُمْ تَضَرُّعًا وَخُفْيَةً إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُعْتَدِينَ
“Call upon your Lord with humility and in private. Verily, He does not love transgressors.” (Surah Al-A’raf 7:55)
We tend to grow in arrogance because we feel our level of submission is better than that of others. All human life carries inherent value. Our souls hold no more value or importance than the person sitting next to us, no matter where we may be sitting. A humble person appreciates the fact that the world does not revolve around him or her. As for believing one is better than another person due to religious reasons, then in some cases, this is permissible, and in other cases, it’s an obligation. Allah says:
وَاذْكُر رَّبَّكَ فِي نَفْسِكَ تَضَرُّعًا وَخِيفَةً وَدُونَ الْجَهْرِ مِنَ الْقَوْلِ بِالْغُدُوِّ وَالْآصَالِ وَلَا تَكُن مِّنَ الْغَافِلِينَ
“Remember your Lord in yourselves with humility and in private without announcing it in the mornings and evenings, and do not be among the heedless.” (Surah Al-A’raf 7:205)
Humbleness is one quality that a good Muslim must have, as it’s commanded by Allah SWT and His Messenger. By humbleness, we will be able to live this life rightly and spread Islam to others. God created human beings to worship Him and practising Muslims, in essence, should be able to worship God in every second, of every hour of every day. Islam is a way of life and it means nothing more, or less than submission to the One God.
Here are some ways to develop sincere Humility:
- Humility is a reflection of sincere emotion
- Humility is as we may attribute ourselves
- Humility will gain your wisdom, affection
- Humility is relative to social standards
- Humility is relative to social standards
- Humility is being honest with others
- Humility as a virtue is beyond price
- Humility provide honest feedback
- Humility keeps a positive attitude
- Humility is an underrated virtue
- Humility begins with accepting
- Humility detection, skill level
- Humility is a value opener
- Humility is a great asset
- Count your blessings
- Repent from your sins
- Realize how small we are
- Be wise with compliments
- Do charity and good deeds
- Avoid giving orders to others
- Greet each other with Salaam
- Weaknesses develop humility
- Make friends with humble people
- Everything belongs to Allah SWT
- Stop comparing yourself to others
- Make Friends with Humble People
- Give everything back to Allah SWT
- Ask for forgiveness from Allah SWT
- Remember the danger of Arrogance
- There Will be Punishment for Arrogance
The concept of God in Islam describes Him as the Most Merciful and the Most Loving and whatever He prescribes for humankind is in the best interest of humankind Submission to the will of God is a pathway to purity, to peace and ultimately to Paradise. Muslims constantly strive to remember and practice Islamic virtues and put them into practice throughout their daily lives. Among these great Islamic virtues is submission to Allah, self-restraint, discipline, sacrifice, patience, brotherhood, generosity, and humility. Allah says:
فَلَوْلَا إِذْ جَاءَهُم بَأْسُنَا تَضَرَّعُوا
“When Our punishment reached them, why did they not humble themselves?” (Surah Al-An’am 6:43)
Humility is Piety
The main pillar of worship, Ibadah, is prayer. The congregational prayer is performed in rows where all men stand before God as equals. There is no special place for the rich or powerful, the meek and poor are not relegated to the back lines. Allah says:
وَاخْفِضْ لَهُمَا جَنَاحَ الذُّلِّ مِنَ الرَّحْمَةِ وَقُل رَّبِّ ارْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِي صَغِيرًا
“Lower to your parents the wing of humility out of mercy and say: My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up when I was small.” (Surah Al-Isra 17:24)
Each man bows his head in humility knowing that his brothers, on either side of him are equally important in the sight of God. Only one thing raises one man or woman above another – piety. True piety or righteousness is not achievable without cultivating a sense of humility. Allah says:
وَلَا تُصَعِّرْ خَدَّكَ لِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَمْشِ فِي الْأَرْضِ مَرَحًا إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ مُخْتَالٍ فَخُورٍ
“And turn not your face away from men with pride, nor walk in insolence through the earth. Verily, God likes not each arrogant boaster.” (Surah Luqman 31:18)
Humility comes from knowing about God and recognizing His greatness, venerating Him, loving Him and being in awe of Him; and it comes from knowing about oneself and one’s faults, and weaknesses. God gives this characteristic to those who struggle to become close to Him through deeds of piety and righteousness.
Here are some Quranic verses that talk about humility.
- Surah Al-Furqan 25:63 – The servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth in humility, and when the ignorant address them, they say words of peace.
- Surah Al-A’raf 7:205 – Remember your Lord in yourselves with humility and in private without announcing it in the mornings and evenings, and do not be among the heedless.
- Surah Al-Isra 17:24 – Lower to your parents the wing of humility out of mercy and say: My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up when I was small.
- Quran 23:02 – Successful indeed are the believers who humble themselves in their prayers.
- Quran 31:18 – And turn not your face away from men with pride, nor walk in insolence through the earth. Verily, God likes not each arrogant boaster.
- Quran 25:63 – And the slaves of God are those who walk on the earth in humility and calmness, and when the foolish address them (with bad words) they reply with mild words of gentleness.
- Quran 6:42 – And We have already sent [messengers] to nations before you, [O Muhammad]; then We seized them with poverty and hardship that perhaps they might humble themselves.
- Quran 22:34 – Give good news to the humble-hearted.
- Quran 11:23 – Indeed, they who have believed and done righteous deeds and humbled themselves to their Lord – those are the companions of Paradise; they will abide eternally therein.
God created human beings to worship Him and a practising Muslim in, essence should be able to worship God in every second, of every hour of every day. Islam is a way of life and it means nothing more, or less than submission to the One God. Allah says:
وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ
“And not I have created the jinn and mankind except that they worship Me.” (Surah Adh-Dhariyat 51:56)
The concept of God in Islam describes Him as the Most Merciful and the Most Loving and whatever He prescribes for humankind is in the best interest of humankind. Submission to the will of God is a pathway to purity, to peace and ultimately to Paradise. Allah says:
فَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ وَكُن مِّنَ السَّاجِدِينَ
“So glorify with the praise (of) your Lord and be of those who prostrate.” (Surah Al-Hijr 15:98)
The truly humble one is the truly blessed one. Every time he feels superior to others, he remembers God, the Greatest and Omnipotent, and humbles himself in true submission. Allah says:
وَعِبَادُ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ هَوْنًا وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ الْجَاهِلُونَ قَالُوا سَلَامًا
“And (the) slaves (of) the Most Gracious (are) those who walk on the earth (in) humbleness and when addressing them the ignorant ones, they say, “Peace.” (Surah Al-Furqan 25:63)
Humility is that you accept the truth from anyone who brings it, even if they are young. Whoever accepts the truth from whoever brings it to him, whether they are young or old, whether he loves them or not, then he is humble. Whoever refuses to accept the truth because he regards himself as too important beside it, or as compared to the person who speaks it to him, then he is arrogantly proud.
