Heart is a signal
النَّواسِ انِ – اللهُ – النَّبيِّ – لَّى اللهُ لَيْهِ لَّمَ – ، الَ : (( البِرُّ الخُلُقِ الإثْمُ : ا اكَ . اهُ لمٌ
From An-Nawwas bin Sam'an radhiyallahu 'anhu, from the Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Al-birr is husnul khuluq (good character). While sin is what is restless in you. You don't like it when it appears in front of other people." (Hadith narrated by Muslim)
ابِصَةَ الَ : أَتَيْتُ لَ اللهِ – صَلَّى اللهُ لَيْهِ لَّمَ – الَ : (( لُ البِرِّ الإِثْمِ لل )) ا اكَ النَّفْسِ الصَّدْرِ اكَ النَّاسُ ))حَدِيْثٌ اهُ ” ” الإِمَامَيْنِ وَالدَّارميِّ ادٍ
From Wabishah bin Ma'bad radhiyallahu 'anhu, he said, “I came to the Messenger of Allah sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam, then he said, 'Have you come to ask about virtue and sin?' I replied, 'Yes.' The Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, 'Ask your heart for fatwas. Virtue is whatever the soul feels at ease with and the heart feels at peace with it, while sin is whatever is stuck in your heart and makes you doubt, even though people give you fatwas.'” (Hadith hasan. We narrated it in two Musnads of two people Imam: Ahmad bin Hambal and Ad-Darimi with a hasan chain."
Why is it called heart? The Prophet said, "The heart is called the heart because it is easily swayed. Verily, the parable of the heart is but that of a hair on a tree that is tossed about by the wind. (Hadith narrated by Ahmad)
Regarding the heart, Rasulullah also explained about the nature of wealth. The Prophet , he said, "Wealth is not measured by the number of possessions, but in essence wealth is the wealth of the heart." (Hadith narrated by Ahmad)
Arrogant vs tawadhu
Arrogance and humility have opposite effects. The owner of a humble heart will be elevated in rank.
The Messenger of Allah said, "Charity does not reduce wealth. No one forgives, except that he will become more and more noble. And no one is humble for the sake of Allah, except Allah will raise his rank." (Hadith narrated by Tirmidhi)
On the other hand, a proud or arrogant heart will actually be humiliated by Allah SWT. The Messenger of Allah said, "Whoever trusts Allah Subhanah wa Ta'ala one degree, Allah will raise him one degree, and whoever is arrogant towards Allah one degree, Allah will lower one degree to the lowest degree." (Hadith narrated by Ibn Majah)
The phenomenon of a proud heart
Etymologically, takabbur means to consider oneself bigger. Terminologically, arrogance is rejecting the truth and belittling humans (hadith narrated by Muslim). Contradictingly, haughty, takabbur, conceited, or arrogant are the opposite of tawadhu.
There is a threat that lurks due to arrogance. That is:
- The horns of the devil are arrogant. The Prophet signaled with his hand and said, "Indeed, faith is here." He said it twice. He continued, "Indeed, hard and hardened hearts are found in those who are proud and arrogant, namely in the place of the horns of the devil." (Hadith narrated by Bukhari)
- Resurrected as small as an ant. The Prophet said, "Those who are takabbur later on the Day of Resurrection will be resurrected in the form of a small ant in the form of a human. In front of them everything looks high because they are so small, until they are put in the hellish prison called Bulas and they are devoured by the fire of Al An-yar, they are also given a drink from the Thinatul Khobal (blood and pus) of the inhabitants of hell." (Hadith narrated by Ahmad)
- The gates of heaven are closed (Qur'an 7:40)
اِنَّ الَّذِيْنَ ا اٰيٰتِنَا اسْتَكْبَرُوْا ا لَا لَهُمْ اَبْوَابُ السَّمَاۤءِ لَا لُوْنَ الْجَنَّةَ لِجَ الْجَمَلُ الْخِيَاطِ وَكَذٰلِكَ الْمُجْرِمِيْنَ ٤٠
“Indeed, those who deny Our signs and are proud of them, the gates of heaven will not be opened for them, and they will not enter Paradise until the camel goes through the eye of a needle. Thus We recompense those who do evil."
- Hell. The Messenger of Allah said, "Shall I tell the people of Paradise? Everyone is weak and weakened. If he had sworn in the name of Allah, surely Allah would have fulfilled it. Shall I tell the inhabitants of hell? Everyone is arrogant, despised and arrogant." (Hadith narrated by Muslim)
There are several indicators of arrogance. That is:
- Reject the truth and often negotiate with sin.
- Finding excuses for self-defense when guilty.
- Making excuses "I don't know..."
- Assume bismillah to correct mistakes.
Pride and arrogance can lead to conflict. However, it is prohibited. The Messenger of Allah said, "Do not hate one another, envy one another, be hostile to one another, but be brothers of Allah's servants. It is not lawful for a Muslim to silence his brother for more than three nights." Malik said, "I do not consider it arrogant except that someone turns away from his Muslim brother and you turn your face away from him." (Hadith narrated by Malik)
So, if there is a dispute between us, then naturally, not excessive. Abu Hurairah said that the Messenger of Allah said, "Verily the gates of Paradise are opened on Mondays and Thursdays. All the sins of the servant who does not associate anything with Allah will be forgiven, except for the one in whom there is hatred and division between him and his brother." (Hadith narrated by Muslim)
- Underestimating others. The Prophet said, "He will not enter Paradise in whose heart is the weight of a mustard seed of arrogance." A man asked, "Indeed men like their clothes and sandals good (is this including arrogance)?" He replied, "Verily Allah is beautiful and loves beauty. That arrogance is rejecting the truth and belittling people.” (Hadith narrated by Muslim)
- Rude behavior towards others. The Messenger of Allah said, "Arrogance and arrogance are in the harsh-spoken people of the Bedouin population, tranquility is in the goatherds." (Hadith narrated by Ahmad)
- No respect for life. The Messenger of Allah said, "Indeed the most arrogant and arbitrary in the sight of Allah 'Azza wa Jalla is the one who kills in the forbidden land, or kills an innocent person, or kills because of the vengeance of the Jahilliyah." (Hadith narrated by Ahmad)
- Not paying attention to the rules of لا لا ار.
Contemporary pharaohs are rulers of today who reject the truth. “Pride is rejecting the truth and belittling people.” (Hadith narrated by Muslim)
Meanwhile, contemporary Qorun are people who feel successful because “I am like that!”
الَ اِنَّمَآ اُوْتِيْتُهٗ لٰى لْمٍ اَوَلَمْ لَمْ اَنَّ اللّٰهَ اَهْلَكَ لِهٖ الْقُرُوْنِ اَشَدُّ قُوَّةً اَكْثَرُ ا لَا لُ ذُنُوْبِهِمُ الْمُجْرِمُوْنَ
"He (Qarun) said: Verily I was given (the treasure), solely because of the knowledge that I have. Does he not know that Allah has destroyed previous peoples who were stronger than him, and accumulated more wealth? And the sinners need not be questioned about their sins.” (Qur'an 28:78)
A humble heart
Etymologically, Wadha' means "to humiliate". While Ittadha'a means "humble yourself".
Terminologically, Tawadhu is humbling to realize that all personal success, achievements, and wealth are gifts from Allah SWT and become a mandate to do good and benefit others. Tawadhu does not mean humiliating oneself and closing opportunities for achievement. The attitude of tawadhu will also not cause arrogance by boasting and demeaning others.
"The Messenger of Allah said, "Verily Allah has revealed to me, be humble, so that one does not mistreat others, and one does not act arrogantly with others." (Hadith narrated by Abu Dawud)
The opposite of tawadhu is arrogant or conceited.
There are several indicators of tawadhu. That is:
- Tawadhu will not boast.
ا ا لِيُّ الْحُسَيْنِ اقِدٍ ا عَنْ مَطَرٍ ادَةَ اضِ ارٍ النَّبِيِّ لَّى اللَّهُ لَيْهِ لَّمَ اللَّهَ ل
"Indeed, Allah 'azza wajalla has revealed to me that you should be humble, until one of you is no longer proud of each other." (Narrated by Ibn Majah)
للَّهُ لَا لَّ الٍ …….”
“…And Allah does not like anyone who is proud and boasts.” (Qur'an 57:23)
- Tawadhu will not distinguish human status in social interactions.
لِيٍّ ا الصَّمَدِ لْمُ الَا ا لِيِّ الِكٍ الَ انَتْ الْأَمَةُ لِ الْمَدِينَةِ لَتَأْخُذُ اللَّهِ ا ا ال
"If there was a female slave from the people of Medina who took the hand of the Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wasallam, then she did not withdraw her hand from the slave's hand until he took her wherever she wanted in Medina until her intention was finished." (Narrated by Ibn Majah)
- People who are humble will dress modestly but appropriately.
اللِّبَاسِ اضُعًا لِلَّهِ لَيْهِ اهُ اللَّهُ الْقِيَامَةِ لَى الْخَلاَئِقِ أَىِّ لَلِ الإِيمَانِ شَاءَ لْبَسُهَا
"Whoever abandons (good) clothes because of humility in front of Allah, while he is actually capable, Allah will surely call him on the Day of Resurrection in front of all creation and he is told to choose whichever type of clothing he wants to wear." (HR. Tirmidhi and HR Ahmad)
- Tawadhu will respect and be devoted to parents (Qur'an 17:24)
اخۡفِضۡ لَہُمَا احَ الذُّلِّ الرَّحۡمَۃِ لۡ ارۡحَمۡہُمَا ا ا
"And humble yourselves towards them with compassion and say: O my Lord! Have mercy on them as they both taught me when I was little."
- Tawadhu will respect, be compassionate, and have mercy on fellow human beings.
ا اللّٰہِ لِنۡتَ لَہُمۡ لَوۡ ا لِیۡظَ الۡقَلۡبِ لَانۡفَضُّوۡا حَوۡلِکَ اعۡفُ اسۡتَغۡفِرۡ لَہُمۡ لاوِرۡہُمۡ الۡاَمۡرِ اِذَا لۡ لاوِرۡہُمۡ الۡاَمۡرِ ال
"So by the grace of Allah you (Muhammad) were gentle with them. If you were harsh and harsh-hearted, they would have distanced themselves from those around you. Therefore forgive them and ask forgiveness for them, and consult with them in this matter.
Then, when you have made up your mind, then put your trust in Allah. Indeed, Allah loves those who put their trust. (Surah 3:159)
اخۡفِضۡ احَکَ لِمَنِ اتَّبَعَکَ الۡمُؤۡمِنِیۡنَ
and humble yourselves towards those who believe who follow. (Surah 26:215)
This is a prayer to be granted an attitude of humility:
اللَّهُمَّ لُكَ الْهُدَى التُّقَى الْعَفَافَ الْغِنَي
“ALLOOHUMMA INNII AS-ALUKALHUDA WATTUQOO WAL'AFAAFA WALGHINAA”
(O Allah, my Lord, indeed I ask You for guidance, piety, avoidance of bad deeds, and sufficiency (not begging,). (Narrated by Muslim)
اللَّهُمَّ لْبٍ لَا اءٍ لَا لَا لْمٍ لَا لَاءِ الْأَرْبَعِ
“ALLAAHUMMA INNII A'UUDZU BIKA MIN QALBIN LAA YAKHSYA', WA MIN DU'AAIN LAA YUSMA' WA MIN NAFSIN LAA TASYBA' WA MIN 'ILMIN LAA YANFA' WA, A'UUDZU BIKA MIN HAA”ULAA”IL ARBA'
(O Allah, I seek refuge in You from a heart that is not solemn, from a prayer that is not heard, from a soul that is never satisfied, and from knowledge that does not benefit, and I seek refuge in You from these four things). (HR. Tirmidhi)
اللهم اجعلني ا اجعلني ا اجعلني ا الناس ا
"Allahummaj'alni syakuro, waj'alni shaburo, waj'alni fii ainii soghiroo, wa fii a'yuninnasi kabiiroo."
O Allah, make me a grateful person, make me a patient person, make me before my eyes (in my personal view) as a small person (feeling humiliated), and in front of others (people's views) as a big (noble) person.
While this is a prayer to avoid arrogance:
اللَّهُمَّ الْكَسَلِ الْهَرَمِ الْجُبْنِ الْبُخْلِ الْكِبَرِ الدَّجَّالِ ابِ الْقَبْرِ
“The Messenger of Allah used to take refuge from sentences like this, “ALLAHUMMA INNI A'UUDZU BIKA MINAL KASALI WAL HARAMI WAL JUBNI WAL BUKHLI WA SUU`IL KIBRI WA FITNATID DAJJAL WA ADZAABIL QABRI”
(O Allah, I seek refuge in You from laziness, senility, cowardice, miserliness, ugliness, arrogance, slander of the Dajjal and the torment of the grave). (HR. Nasa'i)
Delivered by Ustadzah Nur Hamidah Lc., M.Ag., during the Halaqoh online study Tuesday for Female Expatriates, October 19, 2021. [DDHKNews]
