Ahl-ul-Bayt (A.S) and Humbleness

Humbleness is an outstanding feature in the lives of Ahl-ul-Bayt.

Ibn Masud reports: A person came to the presence of Allah’s Messenger and when he started to speak, he was trembling. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said, “Calm down; I am not a king.” [Makarim al-Akhlaq: 16]

Another person reports: A group of people and I went to the presence of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and said, “You are our master.” The Holy Prophet said, “Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, is the Master.” [Sunan Abi-Dawud, 254/4]

Abu-Basir reports: Imam Sadiq (A.S) went to the public bath whose owner said, “Let me evacuate the public bath for you!” Imam Sadiq (A.S) said, “No, it is not necessary. The pious believer does not bother for those things.” [Al-Kafi: 503/6, H. 37]

It is also reported that Imam Reza (A.S) went to a public bath. A person who had not recognized him said, “O gentleman! Rub me with this flannel!” Imam Reza (A.S) did so. At this time people who were in the bath introduced Imam Reza to him, the man became ashamed; he made an apology and an attempted to draw himself aside. However the Imam calmed him with his words and kept on rubbing him with the flannel! [Al-Manaqib: 362/4]

Humility is like a seed, which when sown in the earth will bear abundant fruits. With their humility, the Ahl-ul-Bayt made the realm of obedience come to fruition. Some of these fruits are knowledge, awareness and vision. They have been chosen as leaders of guidance until the Judgment Day because of their in-depth insight into the truth of universe. Hence, all should be aware that to take lead ahead of them will cause perdition and to ignore them will cause bewilderment. The Holy Prophet has said: Do not take lead ahead of my Ahl-ul-Bayt, for you will come to perdition nor do you teach them, for they are more knowledgeable than you. [Al-Kafi: 294/1, H. 3]

He has also said: Be aware that Ahl-ul-Bayt are the wisest in childhood and the most knowledgeable in their maturity. They will never misguide you nor will they take you out of true guidance. [Bihar al-Anwar 23:144]

The Imam (A.S) has also said: We, the Ahl-ul-Bayt, are treasures of Divine knowledge. [Al-Kafi: 192/1, H. 3]

Imam Hussein (A.S) has said: We do not know why people harbor enmity against us while we are from the House of mercy, the tree of Prophet Hood and the source of knowledge. [Nuzhat al-Nadhir: 85]

Imam Sadiq (A.S) reports: When it was noontime, Ali ibn Hussein performed his prayer and then was engaged in invocations and greeted the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and Ahl-ul-Bayt (A.S) as follows: O Allah; Send greetings on Muhammad and on the descendants of Muhammad, the evergreen tree of Prophet Hood, the destination of the Divine messages, the academy where angels came to learn and know, the depository of wisdom, and the household of Divine Revelation.

Other links:

Principle of Leading a Simple Life (part 1)

Principle of Leading a Simple Life (part 2)