Hawzah News Agency - Imam Sajjad (peace be upon him) beseeches God, the Almighty, in Sahifa Sajjadiyyah as follows:
«اَللَّهُمَّ ... وَ لاَ تَرْفَعْنِی فِی النَّاسِ دَرَجَةً إِلاَّ حَطَطْتَنِی عِنْدَ نَفْسِی مِثْلَهَا؛ وَ لاَ تُحْدِثْ لِی عِزّاً ظَاهِراً إِلاَّ أَحْدَثْتَ لِی ذِلَّةً بَاطِنَةً عِنْدَ نَفْسِی بِقَدَرِهَا.»
"Do not elevate my rank and status among people unless You lower me to the same extent in my own self; and do not grant me apparent honor unless You create within me an equivalent amount of inner humility." (Supplication no. 20)
Explanation:
Throughout life, a person may attain various worldly and spiritual ranks. However, after achieving these positions, one of the greatest dangers for a person is arrogance and self-conceit.
What can prevent this affliction is cultivating a sense of balance within ourselves.
In light of Imam Sajjad's (peace be upon him) supplication, we should ask God that for every degree of worldly or spiritual honor and elevation granted to us, He equally instills within us a sense of humility and lowliness. This balance between honor and humility should function like the two equal pans of a scale, ensuring that we remain safe from the affliction of self-conceit and pride.
If someone is blessed with the ability to establish this balance within themselves, they can become the best of people. As the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) said:
«افْضَلُ النّاسِ مَنْ تَواضَعَ عَنْ رِفْعَةٍ.»
"The best of people is the one who, while in a position of greatness and elevation, shows humility and modesty to others." (A'lam al-Din, v. 1, p. 337)
Such a person becomes a true example of Imam Ali's (peace be upon him) words:
«ذُو اَلشَّرَفِ لاَ تُبْطِرُهُ مَنْزِلَةٌ نَالَهَا وَ إِنْ عَظُمَتْ کَالْجَبَلِ اَلَّذِی لاَ تُزَعْزِعُهُ اَلرِّیَاحُ.»
"A person of magnanimity does not become intoxicated by any rank, no matter how high; like a mountain that no wind can shake." (Ghurar al-Hikam, v. 1, p. 371)
On the other hand, if someone fails to adorn themselves with this balance, they become an example of a lowly individual, as described by the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (peace be upon him):
«اَلدَّنِیُّ تُبْطِرُهُ أَدْنَی مَنْزِلَةٍ کَالْکَلاَءِ اَلَّذِی یُحَرِّکُهُ مُرُّ اَلنَّسِیمِ.»
"A lowly person, upon attaining the slightest value or status, becomes reckless and unrestrained, like a weed swaying at the slightest breeze." (Ghurar al-Hikam, v. 1, p. 371)
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