Chapter 2 - On Humbleness

“If friendliness was a creature that could be seen, God would not have created any better creature than that, and if non-compliance was a creature that could be seen, God would not have created any uglier creatures than that. A servant can attain the position of one who fasts and stays up at night to worship through being good-tempered.”

“They brought the keys to the treasures on the Earth for the Prophet of God (a.s) three times without any reduction of his rank in Heaven by God. He chose humbleness to his Lord.”

God's Prophet (a.s) said: “There are three things by which God will only increase our good things: by humbleness He will increase our position; by humiliating ourselves He gives us honor; and by chastity He gives us wealth.”

“Being content to sit in a lower position in a meeting, greeting whomever you see, not quarrelling even if you are right and disliking to be praised for piety are all signs of humbleness.”

Ali ibn Sweed Madani asked Imam Kazim (a.s) about humbleness. He asked what deeds would constitute humbleness. Imam Kazim (a.s) said: “There are various degrees of humbleness. Some of them include to know yourself and peacefully accept your own position; to treat others as you like them to treat you; to be kind to others when others are not kind to you; to restrain your anger; and to forgive the people. God loves those who do good deeds.”

“Yes.” He said: “One day I went to see Naejashi. He was not wearing his official attire on that day, but I greeted him just as I would a ruler and said “O' king! Why is it that you are not seen in your official attire?” He said: “I have read in the Bible that whoever receives a divine blessing should thank God, and that nothing is better than humbleness as a form of being grateful to God. Since I heard that Muhammad (a.s) was victorious over the polytheists in Badr, I like to show my being grateful to God in this manner.”

“I choose being a humble Prophet.” The angel said: “Your rank near God will not be lowered as a result of this choice.” Imam Baqir (a.s) said: “This angel carried the keys to the treasures on Earth.”

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “Whenever Imam Sajjad (a.s) walked he would never put his right foot ahead of his left one (implying that he was very humble). One day he was passing by a few people who had leprosy and were eating food. He greeted them, and they invited him to eat with them. He accepted their invitation and said: “God does not like haughty people.” He went to them, and since he was fasting he said: “I am fasting, but come to my house tomorrow.” They went to his house the next day, and ate and the Imam (a.s) gave them some gifts.” Some traditions state that the Imam (a.s) dined with them.

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “Luqman told his son: “O' my son! Be humble to God to be the wisest person. Indeed wise people are captives of God.”

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “There is no honor except for those who humiliate themselves for God, and there is no high rank except for those who are humble to God.”

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “Whoever loves us and is not illegitimately born is a pure servant of God.”

“Three things are the principles of infidelity: greed, haughtiness and jealousy.”

Imam Baqir (a.s) said: “Three things are back-breaking: overestimating one's deeds, forgetting one's sins and only considering one's own viewpoints.”

God's Prophet (a.s) said: “Kings are the most cruel people. The most disgustful people are the people who are haughty, and the lowest people are those who insult other people.”

Hassan ibn al-Jaham asked Imam Reza (a.s): “What is the ultimate limit of humbleness?” He said: “It is to want for others what you want for yourself.” He said: “May I be your devoted servant! I want to know how I seem to you.” He said: “Look and see how I seem to you.”

The Prophet of God (a.s) said: “God the Almighty revealed to David:” O' David! The closest people to Me in the Hereafter are those who are humble. The most distant people to Me in the Hereafter are those who are haughty.”

Ameer al-Momineen (a.s) said: “Nothing is better than being humble. No loneliness is more horrifying than being conceited. I am amazed at the haughty people. Earlier they were just a sperm, and soon in the future they will be a corpse.”

The Prophet (a.s) said: “Whoever is the least haughty or proud will not enter Heaven.”

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “Imam Sajjad (a.s) walked as if there was a bird on his head. He never put his right leg ahead of his left one (this means that he was very humble).”

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “On the Resurrection Day, haughty people will be placed under the people's feet as tiny objects until God gets done with reckoning.”

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “God the Almighty revealed to David. Why are you so quiet?” David said: “Your awe has silenced me.” God asked: “Why are you so slim?” He said: “Your love made me slim.” God the Almighty said: “Why are you so poor?” He said: “Standing up for your right has made me poor.” God the Almighty said: “O' David! Why have you humiliated yourself?” He said: “Your indescribable Majesty and Grandeur has humiliated me.” God the Almighty said: “O' David! Now I give you the glad tidings that you will receive what you love the Day you meet Me. Associate with the people according to their own ways, but be separate from them in your religious issues. You will attain whatever you want from Me on the Resurrection Day.”

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “There are two guardian angels in the heavens for anyone. They will raise whoever is humble to God, and humiliate whoever is haughty.”

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “Haughtiness is God's especial garment. Whoever fights with God over it will be thrown into the Fire face down.”

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “Whoever is the least haughty will not enter Heaven.”

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “God the Almighty revealed to Moses: “O' Moses, the son of Imran! Do you know why I chose you from among my servants to send revelations to and to talk to?” Moses said: “O' Lord! I do not know.” God the Almighty said: “O' Moses! I looked upon my servants, and found no one humbler than you to Me. That is why I appointed you to reveal to and talk to.” Imam Sadiq (a.s) added: “Moses never got up from praying before rubbing his right and left cheeks to the ground.”

“There is always a guardian angel accompanying everyone. If you are humble to God the angel will raise your rank, and if you are haughty it will humiliate you.”