Humility is perhaps the quintessence of
all human values. It is the recognition of the fact that
only God is great and the rest are meek and weak before Him.
In other words, it is acknowledging the reality.
If we want to cultivate and strengthen
this trait in us, we must watch out for things which are its
antithesis or are detrimental to it. Although our conscience
is enough to guide us in this matter, yet some blatant
attitudes which are counter to humility may well remain in
our minds. Thus when we make fun of others, do not let
others speak, take credit for things we never did, boast of
our achievements, do not take the initiative in greeting
others, do not apologize even after realizing our mistake,
walk and make gestures in an arrogant way, do not thank God
enough, show conceit on our lineage and status, do not
invite poor relatives to our banquets, splash our solo
photographs all over house walls, put up a show of piety and
religiosity, do not admit our faults, deliberately deny the
truth and show self-righteousness, we are in fact doing
things which are against humility and modesty.
Some practical measures may help to
inculcate humility in us. Here are some of them:
1. We should stop claiming credit for
the good things we do.
2. We must realize that all our talents
and assets are a gift of God and He can take them away any
time He wants to.
3. We should highlight even small
achievements and qualities of others.
4. We should not buy and use things
which reflect status.
5. We must understand our limitations.
No matter how talented, rich, powerful or beautiful a person
may be, there are always people who have these traits to a
more pronounced extent.
6. We must learn to confess our faults
to God and make amends for what we have done wrong.
7. We must keep an eye on our own
faults and shortcomings for the more we realize them the
more lowly opinion we will hold about ourselves.
8. We must listen more than we talk.
This gives others the impression that we do not want to
impose ourselves on them.
9. We must give others the benefit of
the doubt in situations where a better interpretation of a
person’s attitude can be made.
10. We should avoid making sweeping
statements. More often than not, they reflect arrogance.
These are some
suggestions that may help engender humility in us.
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