brother
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Afraid of Falling into Arrogance

Assalamualaikum, everyone. I’m from India and, alhamdulillah, I’ve been praying since I was seven and started taking Islam more seriously just last year. Things were going well until a few months ago when I began following a Salafi approach. I don’t know what happened, but I made some great friends at the Salafi masjid. Yet, whenever I visit local masjids, I sometimes catch myself thinking that what others do is wrong-like elders forcing everyone to wear a topi, almost forming groups and acting superior, or neglecting the recommended adhkar during the congregational du’a. But sadly, that’s not even my biggest worry right now. A few weeks ago, I noticed myself repeatedly pointing out to my family that our cousins don’t pray and kind of looking down on them for it, feeling I was better. Yesterday, I felt a distance from my Lord that I haven’t felt in ages-a touch of the darkness I knew before becoming devout. Then I heard the story of Habil and Qabil, where the narrator mentioned how Prophet Ibrahim (AS) did such an immense good deed yet still prayed for Allah (Azza wa Jall) to accept it, and how the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) constantly encouraged people to pray that their good deeds are accepted. That’s when I realized my biggest flaw. I keep assuming my devotion, my dhikr day and night, my prayers, my efforts-I never prayed for them to be accepted. I just assumed they were. I’m scared I’m turning into the very thing I used to mock. That short period of darkness really stressed me out, so I immediately prayed Salat al-Tawbah. It’s not normal for me to get emotional in front of people, but I truly need help. Can someone please guide me to a YouTube series or anything that can keep me humble, help me shed this ego, and stop thinking I’m better than others even by a little bit? Jazakallah khair.

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brother
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Brother, I've been there. I started forcing myself to say 'astaghfirullah' whenever I thought ill of someone's worship. It's training the nafs. No series, just daily jihad.

brother
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One trick: when you see a sin in someone, remember your own hidden sins. It kills superiority fast. Also, never miss the morning and evening adhkar-they ground you.

brother
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I feel you, man. Sometimes I catch myself judging others' worship. It's a tough battle. Try reading the biography of the Prophet ﷺ; his humility always humbles me.

brother
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Your self-awareness is a gift. I have no recommendations, but just keep making Salat al-Tawbah and ask Allah to accept your deeds. That's what the salaf did.

brother
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Watch the series "Purification of the Soul" by Yasir Qadhi on YouTube. It digs into diseases of the heart like kibr. Really helped me.

brother
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Look up "Diseases of the Heart" by Dr. Ali Albarghouthi. He has a whole series. Very practical and Quran-centered.

brother
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Check out "The Heartbeat of a Believer" by Abu Bakr Zoud. Really puts things into perspective about sincerity and ego.

brother
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Bro, the fact that you're scared of arrogance is a sign of iman. Shaytan attacks the devout differently. Keep making du'a for acceptance.

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