Pride is one affliction of the heart which may be cured by being thankful. We can thank people for things that they do and who they are.
Arrogance, envy, stinginess, jealousy, greed, pride, anger, hatred, lust, and spite are among the most dangerous inner diseases of the heart.
Although residing in the hearts, their destructive effects are reflected in the behavior and conduct of the sick person who will be in due course prevented from entering paradise on the Day of Judgment.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
"One will not enter Paradise if one has an atom’s weight of arrogance in his/her heart." (Ahmad)
He also said:
"The heart must be clean and honest. Allah is pure and He only accepts pureness." (Muslim)
In today’s busy and competitive society, some people are seen taking advantages of a situation trying to get ahead and in turn hurting others without concern. These diseases of the heart lead to bad actions and behavior all of which are sins and evils. They lead to animosity, evil thinking about others' intentions, backbiting, spreading rumors, lying, turning back on each other parting with bad terms, and may also result, in extreme cases, the desire to inflict physical damage. They are for sure bad seeds for a terrible tree of diseases.
Heart Diseases
Prophet Muhammad says:
"Do not be envious of one another; do not artificially raise prices against one another; do not hate one another; do not turn your backs on each other; and do not undercut one another in business transactions. And be, [O] servants of Allah, brethren. A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim. He does not wrong him. He does not fail him [when he needs him]. He does not lie to him. And he does not show contempt for him. Piety is here.” (Muslim)
Pointing to his chest three times he added:
"It is enough of evil for a person to hold his brother Muslim in contempt. All of a Muslim is inviolable to another Muslim: his blood, his wealth and his honor."
While it is significant we understand the unworthy virtues of the heart's diseases, we must remember that we as Muslims are human beings and have all the failings of human beings, we need only look to ourselves to see this. Nevertheless, we must be accountable for our flaws and acknowledge their existence in order that we may improve ourselves and be rid of them if they exist.
Falling victim to these demons will take over our calm, objective, healthy mind, and impose perverted and unkind thoughts and patterns, which may lead our minds into all kinds of foolishness. They will also impair our judgment, and deceive and ruin us if we fail to nip them at the bud when they dare to surface into our being.
Abdullah ibn Masoud reported that the Prophet said:
"A person who has an atom's weight of pride in his heart will not enter Paradise". A person asked:
"But one does like to wear good clothes and shoes!"
The Prophet replied:
"Indeed Allah is beautiful and loves beauty! Pride means to reject the truth and to look down on others!" (Muslim)
Remedies for Heart Diseases
Confession
Confession is a reality check as it reminds us who we are. As Muslims we need to confess to ourselves our sins of the mentioned diseases of the heart and believe if we try to rid ourselves we will be completely forgiven by God after we have repented unconditionally and promised never to return to our sins. God’s forgiveness gives us peace and security, and therefore the freedom to grow in humility and becoming better Muslims.
Thankfulness
Pride is one affliction of the heart which may be cured by being thankful. We can thank people for things that they do and who they are, and that’s important and encouraging for them.
Thankfulness is a sign of a believer where ingratitude is one of the distinguishing marks of an unbeliever. If you’re struggling with feeling thankful to God at this time, (remember we are human), try and think of just one thing each day to be thankful for. It might be something as simple as having enough food, or the weather. Thank God for one thing after someone has visited you, or you have visited them. Thank God for one thing in your friend or your child, or in your spouse.
In the constant act of thanksgiving, the relationship with God is nurtured. Through thanksgiving, the gracious acts are remembered and the life of a person is thereby changed. God-centered thankfulness helps us grow in humility as it stops pride growing.
I remember hanging on the wall in my room was a text regarding humility which literally kept me at bay. It read:
"Humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less."
Years later I find myself teaching my children yes you are the best but that is because God blessed you, now go out and leave your mark. Think less of yourself and more of others.
Elevation
Another solution to cure oneself is to avoid trying to connect with people to elevate ourselves. Think first, is that person going to make me look good? Having that job will that make me look good? Having that house? That spouse?
We shouldn’t try and elevate ourselves, but rather try to elevate others; and serve others. Picture the day when people are speaking at our funeral, what do we want people to say about us? About our values? Will they testify that humility characterized our life? After all, people who are humble inspire trust and confidence from those around them. Moreover, pride among other diseases is anti-social behavior, whereas when we’re humble, it’s best for others and best for us, as it’s who we as Muslims were created and redeemed to be.
Humor
Still trying to rid yourself from the heart's diseases?
Try humor. I think this one is really key and not often talked about. Laugh at yourself and others, it really works. While we have to be serious about some things, we shouldn’t take ourself too seriously.
When we’re able to laugh at ourselves, we more quickly swallow our pride in turn diffusing situations. Meaning we can more quickly admit we’re wrong and improve ourselves. It means we’re more real, more in tune with grace and more in tune with other people establishing that they have similar struggles in the walk of life, being able to laugh at ourselves is really important since it helps prevent burnout.
Reminders
One other important remedy for diseases of the heart is to study and ponder the texts in the Hadith which include warnings to the one who leaves these diseases to fester in his heart.
The Prophet teaches:“Shall I not tell you of something that will take away the evil of the heart? Fasting three days of each month.”
Other remedies include the outward acts of worship which as Muslims we perform with our physical faculties; if they are done for the sake of God they will undoubtedly have an effect on our inward nature.
Showing Love
In an effort to overcome arrogance we must listen to others and show them we are willing to learn from them and that we want to learn from them. Whether they are adults or children, regardless of the persons’ background, Muslims or not we must listen. Bear in mind when we feel listened to, we feel loved and when we listen to others, it’s a sign of us loving them and an acknowledgement that we can learn from them. Practicing listening will help us overcome arrogance.
Another affliction is when we are caught up in envy. Here we are prisoners of someone else as we are letting what they do and what they have determine how we feel about our lives. The fuel that feeds envy is comparisons.
God guides us as Muslims not to simply seek refuge of the envious one, but to seek refuge of the envious one when he is being envious. He says in the Quran:
{From the evil of the envious one when he envies.} (Al-Falaq 113: 5)
Whenever we find ourselves unfavorably comparing ourselves to others we should remember everyone is unique, we should not compare ourself with anybody else. In short we should be grateful for the life God has served us and we should do our best to leave our mark as good practicing and moderate Muslims.
Prophet Muhammad narrates:
"The disease of the nations who came before you has started to spread among you:
destructive envy and hatred. These are the shavers. I do not mean that they shave hair but they shave away religious commitment. By the One in whose hand is my soul, you will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I not tell you of something which if you do it, you will love one another. Spread (the greeting of) peace (salam) amongst yourselves.” (Ahmad)
Pondering with true insight over such warnings about the diseases of the heart will undoubtedly help us as Muslims to strive to cleanse it and continued supplications and prayers to God will of course help cure us.
We must forever and always keep in mind the section in the Quran which describes and teaches our prayers: {And put not in our hearts any hatred against those who have believed.} (Al-Hashr 59: 10)
The best treatment for these diseases is for the afflicted person to avoid, first of all, cruel actions, which are outward symptom of these vices.
Next, we should make an effort to share in the sufferings and difficulties faced by others, and consider their problems to be our own. Furthermore, we should try to react in an appropriate manner to such situations, until, gradually, we begin to taste the favor of compassion, slowly making it permanent within ourselves.
Although residing in the hearts, their destructive effects are reflected in the behavior and conduct of the sick person who will be in due course prevented from entering paradise on the Day of Judgment.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
"One will not enter Paradise if one has an atom’s weight of arrogance in his/her heart." (Ahmad)
He also said:
"The heart must be clean and honest. Allah is pure and He only accepts pureness." (Muslim)
In today’s busy and competitive society, some people are seen taking advantages of a situation trying to get ahead and in turn hurting others without concern. These diseases of the heart lead to bad actions and behavior all of which are sins and evils. They lead to animosity, evil thinking about others' intentions, backbiting, spreading rumors, lying, turning back on each other parting with bad terms, and may also result, in extreme cases, the desire to inflict physical damage. They are for sure bad seeds for a terrible tree of diseases.
Heart Diseases
Prophet Muhammad says:
"Do not be envious of one another; do not artificially raise prices against one another; do not hate one another; do not turn your backs on each other; and do not undercut one another in business transactions. And be, [O] servants of Allah, brethren. A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim. He does not wrong him. He does not fail him [when he needs him]. He does not lie to him. And he does not show contempt for him. Piety is here.” (Muslim)
Pointing to his chest three times he added:
"It is enough of evil for a person to hold his brother Muslim in contempt. All of a Muslim is inviolable to another Muslim: his blood, his wealth and his honor."
While it is significant we understand the unworthy virtues of the heart's diseases, we must remember that we as Muslims are human beings and have all the failings of human beings, we need only look to ourselves to see this. Nevertheless, we must be accountable for our flaws and acknowledge their existence in order that we may improve ourselves and be rid of them if they exist.
Falling victim to these demons will take over our calm, objective, healthy mind, and impose perverted and unkind thoughts and patterns, which may lead our minds into all kinds of foolishness. They will also impair our judgment, and deceive and ruin us if we fail to nip them at the bud when they dare to surface into our being.
| Pride means to reject the truth and to look down on others |
"A person who has an atom's weight of pride in his heart will not enter Paradise". A person asked:
"But one does like to wear good clothes and shoes!"
The Prophet replied:
"Indeed Allah is beautiful and loves beauty! Pride means to reject the truth and to look down on others!" (Muslim)
Remedies for Heart Diseases
Confession
Confession is a reality check as it reminds us who we are. As Muslims we need to confess to ourselves our sins of the mentioned diseases of the heart and believe if we try to rid ourselves we will be completely forgiven by God after we have repented unconditionally and promised never to return to our sins. God’s forgiveness gives us peace and security, and therefore the freedom to grow in humility and becoming better Muslims.
Thankfulness
Pride is one affliction of the heart which may be cured by being thankful. We can thank people for things that they do and who they are, and that’s important and encouraging for them.
Thankfulness is a sign of a believer where ingratitude is one of the distinguishing marks of an unbeliever. If you’re struggling with feeling thankful to God at this time, (remember we are human), try and think of just one thing each day to be thankful for. It might be something as simple as having enough food, or the weather. Thank God for one thing after someone has visited you, or you have visited them. Thank God for one thing in your friend or your child, or in your spouse.
"Humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less."
|
In the constant act of thanksgiving, the relationship with God is nurtured. Through thanksgiving, the gracious acts are remembered and the life of a person is thereby changed. God-centered thankfulness helps us grow in humility as it stops pride growing.
I remember hanging on the wall in my room was a text regarding humility which literally kept me at bay. It read:
"Humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less."
Years later I find myself teaching my children yes you are the best but that is because God blessed you, now go out and leave your mark. Think less of yourself and more of others.
Elevation
Another solution to cure oneself is to avoid trying to connect with people to elevate ourselves. Think first, is that person going to make me look good? Having that job will that make me look good? Having that house? That spouse?
We shouldn’t try and elevate ourselves, but rather try to elevate others; and serve others. Picture the day when people are speaking at our funeral, what do we want people to say about us? About our values? Will they testify that humility characterized our life? After all, people who are humble inspire trust and confidence from those around them. Moreover, pride among other diseases is anti-social behavior, whereas when we’re humble, it’s best for others and best for us, as it’s who we as Muslims were created and redeemed to be.
Humor
| When we’re able to laugh at ourselves, we more quickly swallow our pride in turn diffusing situations |
Still trying to rid yourself from the heart's diseases?
Try humor. I think this one is really key and not often talked about. Laugh at yourself and others, it really works. While we have to be serious about some things, we shouldn’t take ourself too seriously.
When we’re able to laugh at ourselves, we more quickly swallow our pride in turn diffusing situations. Meaning we can more quickly admit we’re wrong and improve ourselves. It means we’re more real, more in tune with grace and more in tune with other people establishing that they have similar struggles in the walk of life, being able to laugh at ourselves is really important since it helps prevent burnout.
Reminders
One other important remedy for diseases of the heart is to study and ponder the texts in the Hadith which include warnings to the one who leaves these diseases to fester in his heart.
The Prophet teaches:“Shall I not tell you of something that will take away the evil of the heart? Fasting three days of each month.”
Other remedies include the outward acts of worship which as Muslims we perform with our physical faculties; if they are done for the sake of God they will undoubtedly have an effect on our inward nature.
Showing Love
In an effort to overcome arrogance we must listen to others and show them we are willing to learn from them and that we want to learn from them. Whether they are adults or children, regardless of the persons’ background, Muslims or not we must listen. Bear in mind when we feel listened to, we feel loved and when we listen to others, it’s a sign of us loving them and an acknowledgement that we can learn from them. Practicing listening will help us overcome arrogance.
Another affliction is when we are caught up in envy. Here we are prisoners of someone else as we are letting what they do and what they have determine how we feel about our lives. The fuel that feeds envy is comparisons.
God guides us as Muslims not to simply seek refuge of the envious one, but to seek refuge of the envious one when he is being envious. He says in the Quran:
{From the evil of the envious one when he envies.} (Al-Falaq 113: 5)
Whenever we find ourselves unfavorably comparing ourselves to others we should remember everyone is unique, we should not compare ourself with anybody else. In short we should be grateful for the life God has served us and we should do our best to leave our mark as good practicing and moderate Muslims.
Prophet Muhammad narrates:
"The disease of the nations who came before you has started to spread among you:
destructive envy and hatred. These are the shavers. I do not mean that they shave hair but they shave away religious commitment. By the One in whose hand is my soul, you will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I not tell you of something which if you do it, you will love one another. Spread (the greeting of) peace (salam) amongst yourselves.” (Ahmad)
Pondering with true insight over such warnings about the diseases of the heart will undoubtedly help us as Muslims to strive to cleanse it and continued supplications and prayers to God will of course help cure us.
We must forever and always keep in mind the section in the Quran which describes and teaches our prayers: {And put not in our hearts any hatred against those who have believed.} (Al-Hashr 59: 10)
The best treatment for these diseases is for the afflicted person to avoid, first of all, cruel actions, which are outward symptom of these vices.
Next, we should make an effort to share in the sufferings and difficulties faced by others, and consider their problems to be our own. Furthermore, we should try to react in an appropriate manner to such situations, until, gradually, we begin to taste the favor of compassion, slowly making it permanent within ourselves.
-onislam.net
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