Does Islam teach humility?

Landon Caeli said:

I suppose it would be very difficult for us non-Muslims to add up and calculate whether Humility or assertiveness has the greater influence in Islam as a whole.

...We all know that all religions have some seemingly contradictive writings, and some are more pronounced than others.

My current view, through my own interactions and understandings of Islam, is that assertiveness is a more valued trait than general humbleness.

The more in depth my understanding of Islam's take on humbleness becomes, the more fully I will understand if Islam is truly good or bad.

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Couldn't one be humble towards oneself and also assertive with regard to God's justice. A suicide bomber could be a very humble act.

I don't see humility as necessarily equating to peacefulness. A soldier could be very humble while fulfilling their duties as a soldier.

Landon Caeli said:

It just occured to me that it may be Islam's lack of humility, in it's teachings, that cause me anxiety about Islam.

Please show me whether or not Islam practices and supports humbleness. Or if pride and assertiveness are more valued in Islam.

Thanks for taking part in my quest for understanding.

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Shia Islam said:

Hi there,
Take the following from me, a true lover of Islam

When the Muslims returned from a war, the prophet explained to them that now it is the time of the greater war, and it is the war with the evil desires of the inner-self..

Now here are two verses from the holy quran, from Surah Luqman. They teaches humbleness in a manner that you will not find in any other place:

"And swell not thy cheek (for pride) at men, nor walk in insolence through the earth; for Allah loveth not any arrogant boaster.

And be moderate in thy pace, and lower thy voice; for the harshest of sounds without doubt is the braying of the ***."

And In Surah Isra:

"And do not walk upon the earth exultantly. Indeed, you will never tear the earth [apart], and you will never reach the mountains in height."

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Hi,

I would like to add this to my previous post:

Many Christians may find this to be amazing..

Indeed the Quran has confirmed and compliment the Humbleness Trait that can easily be found among the Christians..


And here is a great Quranic verse talking about this..

But before quoting it, let me remind our Jewish friends -who may not feel comfortable about its part in relation to them- that generally, the Islamic laws regarding the Christians and the Jews are almost the same..where both of them are called the people of the book, as both of Moses and Jesus are regarded as great prophets in Islam.

Moreover, many Jews and Christians preferred to live under the Islamic rule than living under the rule of the Byzantine empire which was subjecting them to hefty taxes.

If it was not for this fact, the few Muslim Arab Bedouins would never be able to defeat the great Byzantine empire with its military might.

And here is the verse:

"You shall certainly find the Jews and those who associate partners with Allâh the most vehement of the people in enmity against those who believe, and you shall certainly find those who say, `We are Christians,' the nearest in friendship towards those who believe. That is so because there are savants and monks amongst them and because they do not behave proudly." (Quran 5:82).

Landon Caeli said:

It just occured to me that it may be Islam's lack of humility, in it's teachings, that cause me anxiety about Islam.

Please show me whether or not Islam practices and supports humbleness. Or if pride and assertiveness are more valued in Islam.

Thanks for taking part in my quest for understanding.

Click to expand...

It depends on the individual. Every religion teaches humility including Islam. One can’t judge Islam by the 6 0 clock news. There are humble people across all faiths.

Landon Caeli said:

It just occured to me that it may be Islam's lack of humility, in it's teachings, that cause me anxiety about Islam.

Please show me whether or not Islam practices and supports humbleness. Or if pride and assertiveness are more valued in Islam.

Thanks for taking part in my quest for understanding.

Click to expand...

I know that in Arabia conformity, modesty and a civil peaceful society are highly valued. I don't know if that is universally true.


How Is Humility Important in Islam? - learnreligions.com
www.learnreligions.com/humility-in-islam-2004505
Humility, or being humble, means that one is modest, submissive and respectful, not proud and arrogant. You lower yourself to the ground, not elevate yourself above others. In prayer, Muslimsprostrate themselves to the ground, acknowledging human beings' lowliness and humility before the Lord of the Worlds.

The irony of being proud of one's humility comes to mind. Look at us, look at us, we're the most humble!

Vinayaka said:

The irony of being proud of one's humility comes to mind. Look at us, look at us, we're the most humble!

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That would definitely not be humility.

Landon Caeli said:

It just occured to me that it may be Islam's lack of humility, in it's teachings, that cause me anxiety about Islam.

Please show me whether or not Islam practices and supports humbleness. Or if pride and assertiveness are more valued in Islam.

Thanks for taking part in my quest for understanding.

Click to expand...

I think it' s a combination:

1) Submission to God = lots of humility
2) Islam is the highway = lack of humility

Landon Caeli said:

My current view, through my own interactions and understandings of Islam, is that assertiveness is a more valued trait than general humbleness.

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Bingo

IMO this comes from the view "my religion is the highway for all"

If said "My religion is my highway" lots of misunderstanding would be solved

stvdv said:

Bingo

IMO this comes from the view "my religion is the highway for all"

If said "My religion is my highway" lots of misunderstanding would be solved

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Any religion that thinks theirs is best for all humanity is, by definition, not humble. That's indicated by proselytising. But fortunately, as you said, many individuals in many faiths just see it as being the best for them personally, hence never proselytise. 'Mine is the best!" versus 'Mine is different."