The Quran about humility

In the name of God, the Gracious, the Merciful

The qualities of contemplation and meditation put in man by God give birth to a wide range of opinions and beliefs. A spiritual personality comes to the conclusion that everything around has meaning. An unbiased view will notice that the universe is ordered and only consistent pattern creates a possibility of harmony of being, thanks to an ordinary concept of “subordination” to uniform rules.

Man, who sincerely believe in the Creator in practice humbles himself in accordance with His prescriptions. In our case, the prescriptions from the Quran are considered, where the term “salyamun” meaning “peace” is used to define humility.

From the Quran we know that a person has the freedom to choose behaviour. In order to help people, for the right choice, the Prescriptions were sent, which contained an appeal to the human mind.

And God has made for you, from that which He has created, shadows and has made for you from the mountains, shelters and has made for you garments which protect you from the heat and garments which protect you from your power. Thus does He complete His favor upon you that you might humble yourselves! (16:81)

Anarchy in the minds cannot be the path to success. People oriented only to material values cannot comprehend prospect of the real reward from the Creator.

Yes, whoever submits his face before God while being a doer of good will have his reward with his Lord! And no fear will there be concerning them, nor will they grieve. (2:112)

Development of the society and intellectual opportunities fully provide a chance for the final correct conclusion about the main meaning of the life. Therefore, the Quran is the last message to mankind about the rules in this life and prospects in the future. Due to the individuality and environment of people, the concepts of humility can be different. In this connection, the notions of “humility” and “duty” are connected for insurance against contradictions.

…This day those who closed themselves from your duty have despaired! So fear them not, but fear Me! This day I have perfected for you your duty and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you humility as duty… (5:3)

The Creator ordered us to fulfil certain duties, and the last version of them was fixed in the prescriptions of the Quran. However, in the process of following the truth, “shepherds” intervene, substituting duty before the Lord for their own rules.

And whoever desires other than humility as duty – never will it be accepted from him, and he, in the hereafter, will be among the losers. (3:85)

Artificial division into confessions, distortion of the essence of Prescription and leading people by their own version of the worldview causes disharmony in the society and illogical behaviour.

So is it other than the duty of God they desire, while to Him have humbled those within the heavens and earth, willingly or by compulsion, and to Him they will be returned? (3:83)

The illogicality lies in different views on the basis of all the Prescriptions – monotheism. All religions suffer from the illness of justifying mediation between the Lord and people, which is expressed in various forms.

Nor could he order you to take the maintainers and prophets as lords. Would He order you closed nature after you had humbled yourselves? (3:80)

But the believer, free from the imposed human installations, follows the following motto:

Say, “We have believed God and in what was revealed to us and what was revealed to Ibrahim (Abraham), Ishmael, Ishaq (Isaac), Yaqub (Jacob), and the descendants, and in what was given to Musa (Moses) and Isa (Jesus) and to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them. We are humbled before Him!” (3:84)

By itself, faith in God is present in most of the world’s population, but without humility, right deeds are impossible. Abraham understood this, and therefore he asked the Lord about this.

Our Lord! Make us both humble to You and from our descendants a humble headship before You. And show us our rites and accept our repentance. Indeed, You are the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful. (2:128)

Abraham did not stop at the entreaty, but he put into practice his own call.

When his Lord said to him, “Humble yourself”, he said “I have humbled myself to the Lord of the worlds!” (2:131)

Illuminated by faith, the hearts of the father and son fully reconciled before the Creator, which was expressed in the readiness to lose a loved one and give his life at the behest of the Almighty.

And when they had both humbled themselves and he put him down upon his forehead, We called to him, “O Abraham, you have fulfilled the vision.”… (37:103-104)

This true manifestation of humility serves as a model for imitation.

And who is better in duty than one who humbles himself to God while being a doer of good and follows the community of Ibrahim (Abraham), inclining toward truth? And God took Ibrahim (Abraham) as an intimate friend!  (4:125)

All the above-mentioned Abraham’s relatives answered the criteria of humility before God.

And We found not within them other than a [single] house of humble. (51:36)

Realizing the importance of humility before the Lord, the messengers bequeathed to their descendants to be humble.

And Ibrahim (Abraham) instructed his sons [to do the same] and [so did] Yaqub (Jacob), [saying], “O my sons, indeed God has chosen for you this duty, so do not die except while you are humble!”

Or were you witnesses when death approached Jacob, when he said to his sons, “Who will you serve to after me?” They said, “We will serve your God and the God of your fathers, Ibrahim (Abraham) and Ishmael and Ishaq (Isaac) – one God. And we are humble to Him!” 2:133-134)

The descendants of Abraham corresponded to his order and at the same time relentlessly turned to God for help in making humility.

My Lord, You have given me power and taught me of the interpretation of the events, Creator of the heavens and earth! You are my patron in this world and in the hereafter! Cause me to die as a humble before You and save me with the corrected ones!” (12:101)

Humility before the Creator contributed to the acquisition of extraordinary qualities by Solomon, which, in turn, influenced the Queen of Sheba.

She was told, “Enter the palace.” But when she saw it, she thought it was a body of water and uncovered her shins.

He said, “Indeed, it is a palace made smooth with glass.”

She said, “My Lord, indeed I have wronged myself, and I humbled myself with Solomon to God, Lord of the worlds!” (27:44)

The influence of the messengers on humanity was significant. But followers could not keep the set bar. They could only stand out by self-names and division.

Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was one inclining toward truth, humble and he was not ascribing partners to God! (3:67)

The Creator calls the followers of former messengers as holders of the Prescription, because Jews and Christians have built their systems around the Torah and the Gospel. At the same time, the Quran notes their divine origin, which predetermined the appeal to their followers.

Say, “O holders of the Prescription! Come to a word that is equitable between us and you – that we will not serve except God and not associate anything with Him and not take one another as lords instead of God!” But if they turn away, then say, “Bear witness that we humbled ourselves!” (3:64)

Messenger the most frequently mentioned in the Quran is Moses. The history of his life is full of dramatic and instructive examples. The only test of the Jews through the actions of the pharaoh is worthless.

And you do not resent us except because we believed in the signs of our Lord when they came to us. Our Lord, pour upon us patience and let us die as humble!” (7:126)

The events in Egypt were of a harsh nature, down to the shedding of blood. Only humility before the Almighty helped to endure all adversities.

And Musa (Moses) said, “O my nation! If you have believed God, then rely upon Him, if you should be humble!” (10:84)

The culmination of the events with the nation of Moses was the sending down of the Torah, which the descendants retained for guidance.

Indeed, We sent down the Torah, in which was guidance and light. The prophets judge by it. As did humble Jews, rabbis and scholars by that with which they were entrusted of the Prescription of God, and they were witnesses thereto.

So do not fear the people but fear Me! And do not exchange My signs for a small price. And whoever does not judge by what God has revealed – then it is those who closed themselves! (5:44)

Often, most of the admonished people did not accept the truth.

But when Isa (Jesus) felt their closed nature, he said, “Who are my supporters before God?”

The disciples said,” We are supporters for God! We have believed God and testify that we humbled ourselves! (3:52)

Only a small group of followers kept near the messengers who needed the Lord’s support.

And when I suggested to the disciples, that they believe Me and My messenger Jesus, they said, “We have believed, so bear witness that indeed we humbled ourselves!” (5:111)

As it happened more than once, after the death of the messengers, “priests” came to the power over the minds of people. During the time of Muhammad, they made every effort to uphold their priorities. But the messengers gave irrefutable arguments, which led to a temporary retreat of the leaders of the holders of the Prescriptions.

But no, by your Lord, they will not [truly] believe until they make you judge concerning that over which they dispute among themselves and then find within themselves no discomfort from what you have judged and submit in [full, willing] humility. (4:65)

Only sincerely believing, able to think, not-zombified holders of the Prescription accepted the Quran without doubt.

Those to whom We gave the Prescription before it – they are believers in it. And when it is recited to them, they say, “We have believed in it; indeed, it is the truth from our Lord. Indeed we were, [even] before it, humble!” (28:53)

Muhammad began his mission in Mecca, the central place of service. In his exhortation, the messenger urged all to humility.

Muhammad said, “I have only been commanded to serve the Lord of this city, who made it forbidden for battles and to whom belongs all things. And I am commanded to be of the humble…” (27:91)

And I have been commanded to be the first [among you] of the humble.” (39:12)

What is humility? In recognizing that the object of service is the only One God.

Say, “It is only suggested to me that your god is but one God! So will you be humble?” (21:108)

Recognition consists of trust in the patronage of only one Creator.

Say, “Is it other than God I should take as a patron, Creator of the heavens and the earth? While it is He who feeds and is not fed!”

Say, “Indeed, I have been commanded to be the first who humble himself and not ever be of the one who ascribe partners to God!’ “(6:14)

The messenger’s arguments were logical and weighty, because the revelation of the Most High was built precisely on this principle.

Say, “Shall we invoke instead of God that which neither benefits us nor harms us and be turned back on our heels after Allah has guided us? Like one whom the disobedient enticed upon the earth confused?!”

He surprised his companions. They invite him to their guidance, “Come to us!”

Say, “Indeed, the guidance of God is the true guidance! And we have been commanded to humble ourselves to the Lord of the worlds. (6:71)

The Quran does not leave room for discrepancy in relation to God.

Say, “Indeed, I have been forbidden to serve those you call upon besides God once the clear proofs have come to me from my Lord, and I have been commanded to be humble before the Lord of the worlds.” (40:66)

Along with the logical calculations, the Creator inspired Muhammad to appeal to his authority.

Say, “Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for God, Lord of the worlds. No partner has He. And this I have been commanded, and I am the first of the humble!” (6:162-163)

Unfortunately, not everyone could accept the truth. This development of events is due to spiritual blindness of people.

And you cannot guide the blind away from their error. You will only make hear those who believe in Our signs so they are humble! (27:81)

And you cannot guide the blind away from their error. You will only make hear those who believe in Our signs so they are humble! (30:53)

Only faith in signs and humility with the prescriptions can serve as a guarantee of the right path. Only in conjunction with the humility, faith has a legitimate status.

O you who have believed! Enter into humility completely and do not follow the footsteps of disobedient. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy! (2:208)

O you who have believed! Enter into humility completely and do not follow the footsteps of disobedient. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy! (2:208)

Both faith and humility are determined in relation to the Prescription. Full compliance with the “standard” consists in believing in the Quran and obedience to its prescriptions.

Say, “The Pure Spirit has brought it down from your Lord in truth to make firm those who believe and as guidance and good tidings to the humble!” (16:102)

The very essence of humility points to some actions that are impossible without certain efforts.

And strive for God with the striving due to Him!

He has chosen you and has not placed upon you in the duty any difficulty as well as in the community of your father, Ibrahim (Abraham). He named you humble before and in this that the messenger may be a witness over you and you may be witnesses over the people.

So establish prayer and give purifying expenditure and hold fast to God!

He is your Patron!

And excellent is the Patron, and excellent is the Helper! (22:78)

Efforts are clearly expressed in extreme situations, for example, in war.

And when the believers saw the companies, they said, “This is what God and His messenger had promised us, and God and His messenger spoke the truth.” And it increased them only in faith and acceptance! (33:22)

Filled with faith and humility, the heart of the believer does not experience any panic, but on the contrary, is filled with confidence in the Lord.

For the believers, the information about the continuity of the old Prescriptions is not an empty phrase. Therefore, the formula of the ideology is the following postulate:

Say, “We have believed God and what has been revealed to us and what has been revealed to Ibrahim (Abraham) and Ishmael and Ishaq (Isaac) and Yaqub (Jacob) and the descendants and what was given to Musa (Moses) and Isa (Jesus) and what was given to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and we are humble before Him.” (2:136)

At the same time, God shows mistakes made by predecessors, so that in the future those can be avoided.

Indeed, the duty in the sight of God is humility. And those who were given the Prescription did not differ except after knowledge had come to them – out of jealous animosity between themselves. And whoever is closed from the signs of God, then indeed, God is swift in account! (3:19)

But disagreements cannot be occasions for enmity and hatred. Our views are in a competitive environment, and relations should be formed on the field of intellectual competition in the best ways.

And do not argue with the holders of the Prescription except in a way that is best, except for those who commit injustice among them,

And say, “We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to you. And our God and your God is one; and we are humble before Him!” (29:46)

With confidence, we can say that the Quranic base is the most competitive. The Quranic principles cause the opponents to explain their hatred because of their weakness before clear and precise logic and arguments.

Inconsistency with the Creator’s prescriptions means violation of His limitations. In this sense, there are two sides: the humble and criminals concerning the limitations of God.

Then will We treat the humble like the criminals? (68:35)

The way to criminals lies through the process of ignoring of the limitations.

And if you turn away then no payment have I asked of you. My reward is only from God, and I have been commanded to be of the humble!” (10:72)

Humility before the Lord is at the heart of the unmistakable choice of the “route.”

So whoever God wants to guide – He expands his breast to humility; and whoever He wants to misguide – He makes his breast tight and constricted as though he were climbing into the sky! Thus does God place abomination upon those who do not believe! (6:125)

So is one whose breast God has expanded for humility? He is upon a light from his Lord! Then woe to those whose hearts are hardened against the remembrance of God! Those are in manifest error! (39:22)

The natural absence of strong arguments against the Quran determined the only argument of the “obscurant” people about the fictional nature of the Prescription.

And who is more unjust than one who invents about God untruth while he is being invited to humility. And God does not guide the obscurantists! (61:7)

However, rational approach to this issue again nonplussed the rejecters of the Quran.

Or do they say, “He invented it (Literature)”?

Say, “Then bring ten chapters like it (Literature) that have been invented and call upon whomever you can besides God, if you should be truthful!”

And if they do not respond to you – then know that it was revealed with the knowledge of God and that there is no deity except Him. Then, would you [not] be humble? (11:13-14)

The “fifth” column among the believers, under the cover of seeming humility, because of their spiritual content, cannot prevent their own “flaws”. As the result of unfolding events in the heat of activity, “sloppy” statements give out their true appearance.

They swear by God that they did not say, while they had said the word of closed nature. They closed themselves after their humility. They were aware of that which they were not to attain. And they revenge when God and His Messenger do not enrich them of His bounty. So if they repent, it is better for them; but if they turn away, God will punish them with a painful punishment in this world and the hereafter. And there will not be for them on earth any patron or helper! (9:74)

It is noteworthy that it is reported about the people initially humble to the Quran’s prescriptions. It is about the tribesmen of Muhammad – the Arabs. A lot of them were a weak unit in the line of believers.

Say to those who remained behind of the Arabs, “You will be called to [face] a nation of great military might; you may fight them, or they will submit. So if you obey, God will give you a good reward; but if you turn away as you turned away before, He will punish you with a painful punishment!” (48:16)

Declarative humility did not reflect their true state of faith.

The arabs said, “We have believed.”

Say, “You have not believed, but you say, ‘We are humbled,’. For faith has not yet entered your hearts! And if you obey God and His messenger, He will not deprive you from your deeds of anything! Indeed, God is Forgiving and Merciful!” (49:14)

Hypocrisy is capable only of distorting the essence of the Prescription and creating an alternative to the duty indicated by the Almighty. Declarative acceptance of the divine conditions required an “official” cover for their situation. Their fictitious entry into the community of believers was exhibited as a blessing for them.

Say, “Would you acquaint God with your debt while God knows whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth, and God is Knowing of all things?”

They consider it a favor to you that they have humbled themselves.

Say, “Do not consider your humility a favor to me. Rather, Allah has conferred favor upon you that He has guided you to the faith, if you should be truthful.”

Indeed, God knows the hidden of the heavens and the earth! And God is Seeing of what you do! (49:16-18)

Despite the rejection of the signs of God, you cannot put a final cross on your opponents.

Perhaps those who closed themselves will wish that they had been humble. (15:2)

After all, many can sincerely err, but through considering the fundamental facts and weighty examples they will find the strength to abandon obscurantism. The prospect opening before the humble is very exciting.

And whoever humbles his face to God while he is a doer of good – then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold. And to God will be the outcome of [all] matters. (31:22)

And who is better in speech than one who invites to God and corrects himself and says, “Indeed, I am of the humble!” (41:33)

On the contrary, the fate of those who refused to be humble before the Creator is very unenviable. After all, no excuses will be successful. Therefore a chance for correction is provided in advance.

And return to your Lord and humble before Him before the punishment comes upon you; then you will not be helped! (39:54)

No excuses will help those who refused a given chance.

And [who] then offer humility, [saying], “We were not doing any evil!”

But, yes! Indeed, God is Knowing of what you used to do! (16:28)

The revealed truth will force opponents to recognize its rightness.

But they will throw at them the statement, “Indeed, you are liars.” And they will impart to God that day [their] humility, and lost from them is what they used to invent! (16:87)

But realizing the lost opportunity will only lead to sadness and regret.

Their eyes humbled, humiliation will cover them. And they used to be invited to prostration while they were sound. (68:43)

Only those who believed in the signs and humbled themselves before God will receive the best reward.

[You] who believed in Our signs and were humble. Enter the garden, you and your kinds, delighted.” (43:69-70)