Whenever a Muslim hears or reads an ayah from the Quran that speaks of guidance, happiness, or eternal bliss without hastening to adhere to it and seeking ways to apply it in their life. Among the greatest ranks that a Muslim strives to attain is that of the humble (mukhbiteen). Humility (ikhbat) is defined as submissiveness and modesty. (1) Imam Al-Tabari explained the meaning of Allah's words: “And, [O Muhammad], give good tidings to the humble [before their Lord].” (Al-Hajj: 34), as those who are submissive to Allah in obedience, yielding to Him in servitude, and returning to Him in repentance. (2)
The Reward of the Humble
Allah has promised guidance to the humble towards the straight path. He said, “And so those who were given knowledge may know that it is the truth from your Lord and [therefore] believe in it, and their hearts humbly submit to it. And indeed is Allah the Guide of those who have believed to a straight path.” (Al-Hajj: 54) Furthermore, Allah promised them entry into Paradise and eternal residence therein: “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.” (Hud: 23) When a Muslim comprehends the rank of humility, they hasten towards good deeds. Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim said, “When the servant's foot settles in the station of humility, his aspiration rises, and his soul elevates; he does not rejoice in people's praise, nor grieves for their criticism, and the sweetness of faith directly touches his heart.” (3)
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) understood the importance of humility, and he would supplicate to Allah to make him among the humble, and taught his Ummah to do the same. It is narrated by Ibn Abbas that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) would say in his du’a (supplication): “My Lord, make me grateful to Thee, mindful of Thee, full of fear towards Thee, devoted to Thy obedience, humble before Thee...”
How to Be Among the Humble?
Since humility is an Islamic goal and a means to attain great reward and eternal bliss, it is essential to learn the way to achieve it. The Quran guides us to this path in the ayah: “And, [O Muhammad], give good tidings to the humble [before their Lord], Who, when Allah is mentioned, their hearts are fearful, and [to] the patient over what has afflicted them, and the establishers of prayer and those who spend from what We have provided them.” (Al-Hajj: 34-35) This ayah outlines the acts of worship that lead to humility: having a fearful heart when Allah is mentioned, patience in the face of calamities, performing Salah, and spending from what Allah has provided. Below is an explanation of how these acts lead to humility.
- Having a Fearful Heart When Allah is Mentioned
The ayah begins by mentioning the fearful heart when Allah is remembered. This is the foundation of other acts of worship. Fear of Allah leads a servant to humility and submissiveness before Allah. Prioritizing the act of the heart (fear) over physical acts of worship emphasizes the truth asserted by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), that the rectification of a servant's state begins with the rectification of the heart. If the heart is sound, the body will be sound. An-Nu'man b. Bashir reported God's Messenger as saying, “In the body there is a piece of flesh, and the whole body is sound if it is sound, but the whole body is corrupt if it is corrupt. It is the heart.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
- Patience in the Face of Calamities
The ayah continues by discussing patience over calamities. Patience is a pathway to acquiring humility and tranquility of the heart. By being patient, one submits to Allah’s decree, which leads the heart towards submissiveness and humility before Allah. Allah commands seeking help through patience and prayer, saying: “O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.” (Al-Baqarah: 153) Additionally, Allah emphasizes that patience combined with prayer helps in maintaining righteousness except for the humbly submissive, as He says: “And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive [to Allah].” (Al-Baqarah: 45) The humbly submissive are characterized by their ability to be patient and persistent in prayer.
- Performing Salah
The aforementioned ayah also highlights that establishing prayer is a means to assist in maintaining righteousness, which is easy for the humbly submissive. Prayer, with its bowing, prostration, and supplication, naturally leads a servant towards humility and tranquility before Allah, provided the prayer is performed correctly.
- Spending from What Allah has Provided
Wealth can often lead to arrogance and pride. Therefore, one path to humility is for the wealthy to spend from what Allah has provided. The Quranic expression “and spend out of what We have provided for them.” (Al-Baqarah: 3) contains various nuances. Wealth is a provision from Allah, with the individual being merely a trustee. The ayah also implies general spending beyond obligatory charity (zakat), encouraging those seeking humility to increase their acts of generosity and charity, thereby seeking Allah's pleasure and Paradise.
These acts of worship (fear of Allah, patience, prayer, spending) foster a state of humility and softness in the heart, embedding modesty within. They also manifest the effects of humility in a person's life, encouraging peace and submission to Allah.
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- “Maqayyis Al-Lughah,” by Ibn Faris (2/238), see also “Al-Mu'jam Al-Waseet,” Arabic Language Academy (1/214).
- “Jami’ Al-Bayan fi Tafsir Al-Quran,” by Imam Al-Tabari (18/628).
- “Madaarij As-Saalikeen,” by Imam Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah (2/213).
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