You will not be a scholar until you possess three characteristics.
Tag: humility
Until he knew where he was destined
Riba’ee ibn Hiraash took an oath that his teeth would not be seen when laughing, until he knew where he was destined.
Deeds done in secret
If [one’s] deeds done in secret are equal to [one’s] deeds done in public, then that is fair.
Encouraging others
When a man narrates to me a hadeeth, I remain silent [to encourage] him – [giving the impression] as if I haven’t heard it [before], even though I [first] heard it before he was even born!
Beware of being deluded and self-amazed by the people’s praise
Beware of being deluded & self-amazed by the people’s praise of you for that which you are not…
Don’t rejoice at people’s praise for you
Don’t rejoice at people’s praise for you, rather ask Allaah if indeed this is true that He increases you from His Bounty…
Signs of happiness and success
From the signs of happiness & success is the more a worshipper is increased in [beneficial] knowledge, the more he is increased in humility & compassion [towards others].
Privately, he would weep profusely
When Abu Waa.il would pray [a voluntary prayer] in his home, he would weep profusely; [and such was the level of his humility that] if the entire world was offered to him to do [the same] so someone could see him – he would not do so.
He would pinch his nose
Ayyoob as-Sikhtiyaanee was tender hearted, and when he would become tearful in front of his companions, he would pinch his nose to give [them] the impression he had a cold, and if he feared he would be overcome by tears, he would get up [and leave the gathering].
A welcoming and humble heart
He extended greetings to one child who recognised him, and who then gave the Shaykh a miswaak (tooth stick). The Shaykh accepted it, smiling with complete humility and a welcoming heart.