Garments of Pride

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ 

The following is adapted from a swuhbah from Shaykh Muhammad Nazhim Adil al-Haqqani (q.s.) on the 28^th April 2010. 

We must always be aware of many things.  We must be aware of what we say and do.  We must be aware that Allah (s.w.t.) is Watching.  We must be aware that we are servants.  We must be aware if what we do are within the boundaries of cleanliness.  We must be aware if our actions are pleasing to Allah (s.w.t.).  We must be aware that each breath that we inhale and exhale takes us one step closer to death.  We must not be heedless of these matters. 

This Qur’an is an ocean whose depths cannot be reached.  The Qur’an is such an ocean that no one can reach a shore or its bottom.  Allah (s.w.t.) Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ الرّعد

... وَڪُلُّ شَىۡءٍ عِندَهُ ۥ بِمِقۡدَارٍ (٨) 

… Every single thing is before His Sight, in (due) proportion. (Surah ar-Ra’ad:8) 

Although many things on earth appear to be chaotic and disorganised, nothing happens except that it is Perfectly Arranged by Allah (s.w.t.).  For example, the drops of rain appear to be random, but each droplet’s size, direction, point of impact and destination has been Arranged by Allah (s.w.t.) to reach its intended position precisely.  No creature or being in creation - be it in the heavens, on land or in the sea - can do as it pleases.  Each creature has been Created for a precise and specific purpose.  So never think that this universe is made up of an unregulated mass of coincidences and accidental incidents.  Every grain of soil, every drop of water, every gust of wind, every blade of grass, every leaf in every tree - in fact, every atom in all of Creation is Placed by Allah (s.w.t.) in the precise position.  We are told this to remove the pride in our hearts.  It is for us to realise how small and weak we are.  So many of us feel that it is us, and not Him. who are administering things in our lives. 

Iblis was once known as Azazil, a name that was synonymous with honour and status in the Divine realms.  When he defied Allah (s.w.t.), his name was changed to “Iblis” - a name associated with disgrace.  It is the worst name of any creature in creation.  What was it in Azazil’s characteristics that brought his downfall?  What was this attribute in Iblis that removed all his beauty and made him the ugliest in all of Creation?  We need to know this, for it is this characteristic that made Iblis defy Allah (s.w.t.).  We must study Iblis’ downfall, for it is only then that we become aware of the characteristics that destroy our spirituality and take us far from the Divine Presence. 

سُوۡرَةُ یُوسُف

... إِنَّ ٱلنَّفۡسَ لَأَمَّارَةُۢ بِٱلسُّوٓءِ ... (٥٣) 

… the nafs certainly prone to evil … (Surah Yusuf:53) 

Divine Knowledge seeks to highlight to us our real enemy.  Iblis is a cruel, formidable and persistent enemy.  He is the most dangerous creature in all of Creation.  Hence, we must always seek Protection with a’udzubillahi min ash-Shaythan ar-rajiim.  Shaythan leads people to the Oceans of Defiance and Disgrace.  The dirtiest filth Shaythan possesses is pride.  Humanity has inherited that terrible characteristic of Iblis today.  People of our times seek to share in this characteristic of Iblis.  They are proud of all that they achieve.  We must cleanse ourselves of this sickness in our souls.  People are more arrogant than Namrud or Fir’awn ever was. 

Thaharah, cleanliness, is the first commandment in religion.  The emphasis on cleanliness is not just about physical cleanliness, but is really about spiritual cleanliness.  It is the soul and not the body that will be called to the Divine Presence.  We must work hard to cleanse the garment of our spiritual beings.  Iblis was hurled from the Divine Presence when he dirtied itself with defiance.  If we are raised on Judgement Day in a filthy condition, dressed in the clothing of pride that Iblis is wearing, for sure, we too, will face the same fate as he does.  That dressing of Iblis incurred Allah’s (s.w.t.) Wrath. 

Only the pure will have an audience in the Divine Court.  We came to this world pure and we must return in the same way.  We should not run away from cleaning ourselves, so realise our faults, repent, change our wayward ways and seek His Forgiveness constantly. 

سُوۡرَةُ المدَّثِّر

وَثِيَابَكَ فَطَهِّرۡ (٤) 

And your garments keep free from stain! (Surah al-Muddatstsir:4) 

We must always remember, Allah (s.w.t.) is the Supreme Administrator of Creation.  We are but insignificant specks, so humble ourselves, swallow our pride, annihilate our arrogance and prostrate in submission to Him.  We do not want to be Raised before Allah (s.w.t.) dressed in the garments of pride like Iblis.