“I have heard form the Holy Prophet that a person who takes to humility, Allah Ta’aala elevates him to higher ranks following which he is , though insignificant in his own sight, but he is great in the sight of everybody else. And whoever waxes proud, him Allah Ta’aala puts to disgrace following which he is, though great in his own sight but he is in the sight of people worse than a dog and pig” (Mazhari)
The Prophet is reported to have said:
“Whoever maintains humility for God’s sake, God will elevate him. Thus he looks humbly at himself but people look at him with respect. By contrast, God humiliates an arrogant person so as he rates himself highly while people look down upon him. Indeed he may be more disliked by people than a dog or a pig.” ( Ibn Kathīr in his commentary on the Qur’ān)
Allah Ta’aala Subhaanahoo then adds in the next ayah in the Quran HIS concluding remarks to this code of conduct narrated in the “ten Commandments of the Quran” which we have been discussing in the last few sessions:
“This is of what your Lord has revealed to you of wisdom (or that knowledge of right and wrong) and do not associate any other god with Allah lest you should be thrown into hell, blamed, cast away.”
[4]We are told that this code of conduct is based on “hikmah” which is mostly translated as wisdom, reminding us that our Deen is a rational religion needing thinking and pondering to reach the depths of Faith. Please note that the Text uses the word “mimmaa” meaning ‘is of what’ or ‘is from what’ has been revealed in the Quran. In other words this code of conduct which we have discussed hitherto is only a part of the knowledge and wisdom to which Allah Ta’aala has guided HIS creatures all along the Quran. We are then warned not to associate any being with Allah Ta’aala Subhaanahoo emphasising and reminding us that Tauheed is “the basis on which Islam builds its structure for human life” and it is HE alone that we worship. A belief in God and HIS ultimate judgment is critical for an acceptance of absolute moral values otherwise they keep on varying with time and social circumstances. Hence this message of fifteen ayahs started with and ends with a call to oneness and uniqueness of God Almighty. Yousuf Ali suggests a noble angle to this reference “It begins with a mention of the worship of God, the One True God and ends with a similar mention to close the argument, thus emphasizing the fact that the love of God embraces the love of man and practical help of our fellow-creatures.”
The word “hikmah” is frequently used in our Holy Text. At one place, and is included in our recurrent dua AllahTa’aala Subhaanahoo says:
[5]“He granteth “hikmah” i.e. wisdom to whom He pleaseth; and he to whom “hikmah”wisdom is granted receiveth indeed a benefit overflowing; but none will grasp the Message but men of understanding.”
Is it not surprising that even today the concept of “Taqleed” i.e. blind following of the tenth century Fiqh of the four schools of Sunni Islam and uncritical conformity to the hadith literature — exact antithesis of “hikmah”, wisdom — has a strong hold on many Muslims. Dr. Mohammed Asad has brought our very effectively an important nuance in the meaning of this word, hikmah. I would like to share with you:
“It is to be noted that the noun hikmah, usually signifying “wisdom”, is derived from the verb hakama (“he prevented” or “restrained [him or it]”, i.e., from acting in an undesirable manner). Hence, the primary meaning of hikmah is “that which prevents one from evil or ignorant behaviour” (cf. Lane 11, 617); in its positive sense, it signifies “[conscious] insight into that which is most excellent” (Lisan al-‘Arab, Taj al-‘Arus). Inasmuch as this term refers here, in particular, to what is “odious in God’s sight”, it implies moral discrimination (or “the knowledge of right and wrong”) on the part of men; and this, in its turn, presupposes the existence of an absolute, God-willed standard of moral values.”
This subject of arrogance has been been discussed repeatedly across the Quran, alluding to its importance to the individual Muslim and Muslimah. Let us run our eye over a few:
“And the servants of (God) Most Gracious are those who walk on the earth in humility, and when the ignorant1 address them, they say, “Peace!”
[6]“And turn not thy cheek away from people in [false] pride, and walk not haughtily on earth: for, behold, God does not love anyone who, out of self-conceit, acts in a boastful manner. “Hence, be modest in thy bearing, and lower thy voice: for, behold, the ugliest of all voices is the [loud] voice of asses”
[7]“……………..Verily, God does not love any of those who, full of self-conceit, act in a boastful manner”
[8]“[Know this,] so that you may not despair over whatever [good] has escaped you nor exult [unduly] over whatever [good] has come to you:1 for, God does not love any of those who, out of self-conceit, act in a boastful manner”
……..and Allah knows best. May Allah Ta’aala bless us with true understanding–“fahm”–of our Deen, Aameen.
