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 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.
“And I (God) created not the jinn and humans except they
should worship Me Alone.” (Quran 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.
The word Quran most frequently uses to describe worship
is Ibadah. Ibadah is the root of the word ‘ubudiyyah,
which means to express ones humility or humbleness, and as with most Arabic
words there are many shades of meaning. Ibadah involves more then an awareness
of humility. It is the complete sense of humbleness that overcomes one who is
totally submitted to the will of God, the Almighty. Worship is submission to
God, the essential part of submission is humility.
“So glorify the praises of your Lord and be of those who
prostrate themselves (to Him).” (Quran 15:98)
Humility can guide us to Paradise, just as its opposite,
arrogance, kibr in Arabic, can only lead us into Hell. It is Satan’s
arrogance that caused his expulsion from Paradise; when he refused to humbly
obey God’s command and prostrate before Adam, the father of mankind, he condemned
himself and his followers to Hell. Satan’s lack of submission, or humility, resulted
in one of the most pious of God’s creatures falling into the abyss.
Except Satan, he refused to be among the prostrators. God
said, 'O Satan! What is your reason for not being among the prostrators?
‘Satan said: 'I am not the one to prostrate myself to a human being, whom You
created from sounding clay...” (Quran 15:30-35)
No one who behaves arrogantly or who acts as if he or
she has power over others is capable of true submission. All power and
strength is from God Alone. All human beings are equal in the sight of God and
the distinctions between nations, tribes, and families are only to know each
other and not for the sake pride.
“O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and
made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the
most honourable of you with God is that (believer) who has At-Taqwa (God
consciousness). Verily, God is All-Knowing, All-Aware.” (Quran 49:15)
Humility is Piety
The main pillar of worship, Ibadah, is the 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. 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.
“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
31:18)
Humility comes from knowing about God and recognising
His greatness, venerating Him, loving Him and being in awe of Him; and it comes
from knowing about oneself and one’s own faults, and weaknesses. God gives
this characteristic to those who struggle to become close to Him through deeds
of piety and righteousness.
A companion close to the Prophet Muhammad heard him say,
“Wealth does not decrease because of charity, and
God increases His slave in honour when he forgives others. And no one humbles
himself before God but God will raise him (in status).” (Saheeh Muslim
Humility is one of the greatest blessings God can bestow
on a human being. It allows one to achieve genuine submission. Prophet
Muhammad was truly submitted to God; his character was one of complete humility
and based on sincere trust in God. He was a model of kindness and humbleness.
In fact, the characteristics displayed by Prophet Muhammad were the exact
opposite of pride and arrogance. Every aspect of his life reflected
humbleness, even his walking, talking, sitting or eating.
The Prophet did not behave towards others as if he was
better than they were, nor did he spurn manual work. One of his companions
reported that Prophet Muhammad worked happily with servants or workers. Other
companions related that the Prophet tidied his house, tied camels, feed
animals, ate meals with his servants, and helped them in kneading dough and
bringing provisions from the market. It was also reported that he used to
visit the sick, attend funerals, ride on a donkey, slow down his pace for the
sake of the weak and accept invitations from the poor.
The companions of Prophet Muhammad and the early
generations of Muslims understood the concept of humility. They behaved humbly
towards God and mankind because of their love for God, and their fellow man, and
fear of punishment in the Hereafter.
During his Caliphate, Omar ibn Al Khattab was marching
upon Damascus with his army. Abu Ubayda was with him. They came upon a little
lake. Omar descended from his camel, took off his shoes, tied them together,
and hung them on his shoulder. He then took the halter off his camel and they
entered the water together. Seeing this in front of the army, Abu Ubayda said,
“O Commander of the Believers! How can you be so humble in front of all your
men?” Omar answered, “Woe to you, Abu Ubayda! If only anyone else other than
you thought this way! Thoughts like this will cause the downfall of the
Muslims. Don't you see we were indeed a very lowly people? God raised us to a
position of honour and greatness through Islam. If we forget who we are and
wish other than the Islam which elevated us, the One who raised us surely will
debase us.”
The one who is truly humble is the one who is truly blessed.
Every time he feels superior to others, he remembers God, the Most Great and
Omnipotent, and humbles himself in true submission.
“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 back with mild words of gentleness.” (Quran 25:63)
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