(March 30, 2018 at 3:13 pm)Bahana Wrote: I admit I have a visceral reaction when I hear people bragging about themselves or their accomplishments. I'm not sure if it's something leftover from my Christian upbringing that put a high value on humility. Many today feel there's nothing wrong with talking about your good qualities or your accomplishments because it shows self-confidence. Of course overdoing it can make it look like someone is overcompensating. What is your view?
I define humility as accepting the truth even if it's from the child. It's willing to admit your wrong when you are, and being honest to yourself, and not being unbalanced in how highly you think of yourself over others, belittling others while giving yourself the highest mantle of honor.
Of course what you mention is something else. That is bragging. Bragging and praising yourself is hated because humans seek perfection and ought to be on the look out to be greater, and if you are bragging, it means you think little of your faults and much of your good traits, and that tilts you away from the path and shows you are to a degree not caring to perfect yourself.
And if you are totally pure, you can't claim it, because you have no proof. So best thing is silence. I am learning that now. Neither exposing your sins neither associating others in your sacred journey to the beloved, that you seek their praise and pleasure, and admiration.
This is what Imam Jaffar said to one of his students:
A person who is deluded is wretched in this world, and is duped in the next world because he has sold what is better for what is baser. Do not admire yourself. Sometimes you may be deceived by your property and your bodily health into supposing that you will last forever. Sometimes you are deceived by your long life, your children and your friends into thinking that you will be saved by them. Sometimes you are deceived by your beauty and the circumstances of your birth, which bring you your hopes and desires so easily that you think that you are truthful and successful in achieving your goal.
Sometimes you are deceived by the regret you show people for your shortcoming in worship, but Allah knows the opposite of that is in your heart. Sometimes you make yourself worship in a spirit of reluctance; but Allah desires sincerity. Sometimes you imagine that you are calling on Allah when you are calling on another. Sometimes you imagine that you are giving good counsel to people, while your real desire is that they bow to you. Sometimes you blame yourself when you are really praising yourself.
Know that you will only emerge from the darkness of delusion and desire by sincerely turning in repentance to Almighty Allah, and to whatever you know about Him, and to recognize the faults in your self which are not consistent with your intellect and knowledge, and which the faith, the law and the customary practices of the Holy Prophet and the Imams of guidance do not tolerate.
If you are content with your present condition, there is no one more wretched than you in knowledge and action, nor anyone with a more wasted life. You will inherit grief on the Day of Resurrection.
