An Exceptional Advice of Hazrat Moulana Maseehullah Rahmatullah Alaiyh
In 1967, my Hadrat Wālā dāmat barakātuhum [rahimahullāh] said something to me on Rauharī Station. He said: “Look brother, you must remember this statement of mine: ‘Remain united and remain pious.’ He also said: ‘As long as you do not become pious, you cannot be united. And as long as you do not remain united, you cannot be pious.’” This is how humility is acquired (in other words, each one is essential for the other).
My Hadrat Wālā added: “I have quoted this from one of the statements of Hadrat Thānwī rahimahullāh when he was travelling on one of the trains in India. He was very much concerned about the mutual discord among the Muslims. Hadrat Thānwī rahimahullāh said: ‘While I was travelling on a train in India, people were talking about politics and unity. A villager said to his companion: ‘Hey! Do you hear what they are saying?!’ He said to his fellow villager: ‘Bhāi! Unity will only be realized when we remain united and pious.’”
Hadrat Thānwī rahimahullāh said that there is attraction in humility. There is a natural attraction towards a humble person. Understand this and adopt humility. It is the right of Allāh’s greatness for a person to obliterate himself before Him and to consider His servants to be superior and better than himself.
A person thinks to himself: “I will wear the clothes which are in vogue today and I will speak in the accent which is adopted by people. In this way, I will receive recognition and be accepted [in society].” Honour and dignity can never be achieved in this way. It is most vile to think in such a manner. You are really the slave of Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‛alayhi wa sallam. You have to adopt the appearance of your master. Agreed, you may get some recognition for a few days if you adopt the present culture, but for how long will this recognition last? It will only last for a few days there will never be continuity in it. Honour is only obtained from Dīn, and when you are dyed with the colour of Dīn. It is an honour which gives you control over the hearts of people. But you must not desire such honour. If it comes on its own, it is not harmful. My Hadrat Wālā [rahimahullāh] said: “It is disliked to desire honour, but acceptable when it comes on its own.”
Maulānā Rūmī rahimahullāh said that we must not look down on those who are begging for Allāh’s love. These people are kings even without thrones, crowns, pomp and splendour.
If anyone mocks at you for the clothes you are wearing, let him continue. If he finds fault with your ways, let him do. Do not bother about anyone scorning you. Allāh ta‛ālā is sufficient for you. You must worry about pleasing Him. Remember! A lover of Allāh ta‛ālā has always been castigated. If you want to be a true lover of Allāh ta‛ālā, you will have to bear criticisms and accusations.
Allāh Ta‛ālā says:
They do not fear the criticism of anyone in matters related to Allāh.
So the gist of all this is that if we adopt humility for Allāh’s sake, He will bestow us with loftiness. What is loftiness in Allāh’s court? It is acceptance by Him. May Allāh ta‛ālā inspire us towards genuine humility and may He accept us.
Source: The reality of Tawādu‘” (modesty/humility)
