الباب الثاني : Blameworthy Character Traits Flashcards
What is the nature of greed (Hirs)?
The heart’s obsession with wealth is greed and greed is the root of all spiritual ailments and the mother of all maladies.
It is because of greed that people plunder and usurp the rights of others.
All the gnostics maintain that the foundation of blameworthy character traits is arrogance and the basis of arrogance is greed.
If man possesses two valleys filled with gold and silver by nature he will desire a third.
The greedy person is like someone afflicted by a rash. The more he scratches the worse the rash becomes.
Therefore it is not possible for man to fulfill all his desires and it is for this reason that the greedy person has no peace of mind. Rather, he is burdened with frustration and worry.
What is the remedy for greed (Hirs)?
Reduce expenditure.
What is the nature of Covetousness (Tama’)?
Tama’ means a prerefence for things that conflict with Shari’a.
Highest degree: Kufr and Shirk.
Lowest degree: Distraction from perfect obedience.
But straying from the straight path is common in all forms of Tama’.
What is the remedy for Covetousness (Tama’)?
Spiritual struggle.
So one become accustomed to controlling his nafs.
Spiritual struggle is to restrain the demands of the lower self, whether that is simple or difficult.
What is the nature of Anger (Ghadab)?
Allah (s.w.t) has created man with Anger as a natural attribute which arises involuntarily and is automatically activated.
However He (s.w.t) has also given man the willpower to control it to ensure that it is not misdirected and unjustly employed,
Although involuntary, acting upon it is voluntary, so it is essential to keep anger under control and never act upon it spontaneously.
What is the remedy for Anger (Ghadab)?
Exercise willpower over it to bring restraint and control within a person, even if it is difficult.
Repeated exercise=weakens demands of anger=simple task.
At times of haste, recite Ta’awuth, sit down if standing, lay down if sitting, perform wudhu with cold water or drink cold water.
Divert attention to something else like reading and that all fails, withdraw from the presence of the one who is the object of your anger.
What is the nature of Falsehood (Kithb)?
To speak contrary to fact.
For a person to be considered a liar, it suffices that he report every rumour without investigating whether it is a fact or not.
The Prophet (s.a.w) ordered abstention from lies because falsehood and immorality are complementary partners and both will be in Hellfire.
What is the remedy for Falsehood (Kithb)?
When speaking be cautious and do not speak without thinking.
If falehood is spoken, seek forgiveness.
If you speak any word contrary to Shair’ah then seek repentance in profusion.
What is the nature of Envy (Hasad)?
To be displeased with another’s good position and to wish for its elimination.
Envy has 3 stages:
1: Natural human quality: Man is excused.
2: Acting according to the demands of envy: Man is a sinner.
3: Opposing the demands of envy: Man is a laudable (praiseworthy) and will be rewarded.
The basis of envy is pride (takabbur) and deciet (ghurur), as without any valid reason, man seeks to withhold the bounties of Allah (s.w.t).
It is a disease of the heart and harmful to one’s spiritual life (eradication of good deeds, victim of Allah (s.w.t)’s wrath) and worldly life (frustration and worry by anticipitating the other person’s downfall. Therefore he will have no peace of mind).
What is the remedy for Envy (Hasad)?
Praising the person against whom envy is directed, regarless of how difficult it may be.
Honour him and meet him with respect and humility.
What is the nature of Miserliness (Bukhl)?
To withold spending when such spending is necessary according to the Shari’ah and in order to be generous.
Miserliness has 2 stages:
1: Contrary to Sharia: Sinful
2:Contrary to kindness: Not sinful, but not good.
-Eliminating this degree is commendable.
It is not befitting for a Muslim to be miserly as one is paving the path to Jahannum.
Miserliness is the effect of love for wealth, which directs man’s attention to the world.
The consequence is the weakening of the bond of love with Allah (s.w.t).
At the time of death the miser looks on his wealth with regret and sorrow.
The one who at death has no desire to meet Allah (s.w.t) is of the people of Jahannum.
What is the remedy for Miserliness (Bukhl)?
Remember death constantly.
What is the nature of Ostentation (Riya)?
The intention to enhance one’s dignity in the eyes of people by means of acts of obedience to Allah (s.w.t).
This defeats the purpose of worship which is to gain the pleasure of Allah (s.w.t).
He splits the purpose of worship by hoping for public acclaim and the pleasure of Allah (s.w.t).
Ostentation is termed as Shirk Asghar.
What is the remedy for Ostentation (Riya)?
1: Rid the heart of desire for fame/name as it is a branch of hubb al-jah.
2: Perform that act of worship in abundance.
What is the nature of Vanity (‘Ujb)?
To attribute one’s excellence to oneself while being oblivious to such excellence being snatched away by Allah (s.w.t).
The lower self finds pleasure in this desire.
He fails to see that the bounty in his possession is a gift from Allah (s.w.t) and thinks himself entitled to the bounties.
This is different to the one who delights over the bounties granted by Allah (s.w.t), as that person will realise that the excellence or bounty is a gift from Allah (s.w.t) and fear of elimination of it is present in his heart.
He also recognises that Allah (s.w.t) has full power to take away the bounty at any time.
Vanity resembles pride however vanity does not recessarily require that other be one’s inferior. He will consider himself to be of a loft rank without necessarily regarding another to be his inferior.
What is the remedy for Vanity (‘Ujb)?
Always regard excellence and virtues that one possesses to be the gifts of Allah (s.w.t).
Contemplate the power of Allah (s.w.t) and fear the possibility of the gifts being taken away.
Consider your faults, both internal and external, so that the idea of perfection and self-righteousness is abolished.
What is the nature of Pride (Takabbur)?
To consider oneself superior to others in attributes of excellence.
Pride is to willingly and consciously regard oneself superior to others in religious or worldly excellence in a way which creates contempt in the heart for others, which is forbidden.
Pride consists of:
1: The feeling of superiority
2: Considering oneself great and contempt for others
Pride which enters the heart against your will is not sinful, but when one willingly entertains the feeling of pride after this it is sinful. The mere form of pride is transformed into the reality of pride.
The one who consciously thinks himself better than others becomes arogant and his lower self swells up with pride. The consequences of which manifest themselves.
