Overcoming the Sin of Self-Righteousness

admin · Overcoming the Sin of Self-Righteousness

Overcoming the Sin of Self-Righteousness
Sheikh Sadulluh Khan
Jummuah Khutba 3/23/07-Islamic Center of Irvine

And what of him, the evil of whose deeds has
been decked out fair to him, so that he considers
them good?...[Qur' an 35:8]

Start with Muhaasabah / critical Self-Evaluation
We must sincerely implore Allah to bless us with the
insight of our own strengths and weaknesses. Unless
we practice muhaasabah/critical self evaluation, we
will not be able to improve ourselves and rectify our
faults. Remember, nobody stands taller than those willing
to stand corrected. It would be wise to heed the advice
of sages, "Seek your identity through faith, your honor
through humility, your dignity through propriety, and your
forgiveness from Allah through forgiving others."

Self-Esteem, not Conceit
If esteem means to "regard or consider with respect" then
self-esteem implies self-respect and recognition of one's
value as a member of human society. Self respect is indeed
the forerunner of respect for others, and there is overwhelming
evidence indicating that the higher the level of self-esteem
the more likely one will be to treat others with respect. It
must be noted, however, that self-esteem is not synonymous
with self-conceit. `Ujb or self-righteousness applies to both
good and bad actions. A virtuous person may become conceited
about his good deeds, just as, a doer of wicked deeds may feel
proud of himself and his conduct.

Dangers of `Ujb
A person with `ujb is inclined towards riya' (showing off)
and nifaq (hypocrisy). It also infects his behavior with kibr
(pride). Among other vices present in the person who is
afflicted with 'ujb is viewing others with contempt and
belittling them. The vice of `ujb is the product of selfish
self love that makes a person overvalue his trivial deeds and
underestimate the good deeds of others.
The curtain of 'ujb and the thick veil of conceit that goes
with it, prevents a person from seeing his shortcomings. It
is a great misfortune which not only precludes one from
achieving many kinds of improvements, but also afflicts
one with all sorts of vices.

- Arrogance ~ It is a noted fact that the person who sincerely
looks up to God rarely looks down upon people, and that no one
can consider himself superior without considering someone else
inferior.Remember that, "Allah certainly loves not the
vainglorious nor the arrogant." [Qur'an 4:36]

- Self-Righteousness ~ considering one's self better than others
due to one's own estimation of one's goodness/holiness/ piety.
"Do not ascribe righteousness to your self, Allah alone knows
best who is truly pious." [Qur'an 53:32]

- Moral Myopia ~ Being sensitive to the errors of others while
being blind to one's own shortcomings.

- Condescension ~ He underrates the good deeds of others, but
if he himself performs those deeds he magnifies them. He is
sensitive to the errors of others, but overlooks his own faults.
There is an old Sufi saying, "If you feel you have no faults,
that makes another one."

- Failure to Self-Improve ~ A person afflicted with `ujb cares
not to rectify himself, but rather considers himself as a pious
and virtuous. He belittles his sins and thinks not much of
purging himself from them, and ultimately leads himself to
damnation. Say: "Shall We inform you who will be the greatest
losers in their deeds? Those whose efforts are wasted away in
the life of the world, while they think that they are doing
something good." [Qur'an, 18: 103]

Litlle wonder that Sayyidna 'Ali warned: "The one in whom 'ujb
permeates is destined to be corrupted/."

Detection & Cure
The detection of `ujb (self-importance) , kibr (arrogance), riyaa'
(showing off) is a prerequisite to their cure; but note that
arrogance, showing off and self-importance cannot be detected
unless one is vigilant, carefully critical of one's self and
prepared to minutely analyzes one's intentions and actions.
Imam Muhammad Baqir said;
"Block the way of `ujb with the ma'rifah (gnosis) of the self."
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) warned us it is sufficient proof of a
person's unculturedness that he exalts in the perception of
his own importance. Remember that Allah certainly loves not
the vainglorious, the arrogant [Qur'an 4:36] Allah considers
one of the primary qualities of the true Believer to be
khushu'/genuine humility coupled with spirituality
[Q23:2][Q34: 18].Wise indeed is the reflection of the Prophet
(pbuh) that Allah elevates those who humble themselves. Allah
reminds us in the Qur'an that the true servants of the Most
Beneficent are those who walk on the earth in humility".
[Qur'an 25:63]