Al-Kabeer

The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) taught us to say: “Allahummaj’alni fee ainee sagheeran wa fee a’yonin-naasi kabeeran.” [Husne Haseen]

The meaning of this Dua is: “O Allah! Make me small in my eyes and big in others’ eyes.” By making this Dua we can hope to save ourselves from pride and arrogance and truly appreciate Allah’s greatness.

An employee is senior compared to his subordinates but junior compared to the executives he reports to. The chief of a village is superior to everybody else in the village, but small fry compared to the officers of the district. A king is greater than everybody else in his kingdom, but not of much consequence to a king of a much larger kingdom: Or if somebody snatches away his kingdom he is reduced to nothing.

So we see that the greatness of people is subject to rise and fall; and only Allah is worthy of the name “Al-Kabeer” - “The Greatest.” This name of Allah’s comes in the Quran six times.

Any of Allah’s creatures is only great or important relative to others; while Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) is Truly Great, Completely Perfect, Most Powerful, Most Wise, Most Merciful and worthy of nothing but praise. Nobody and nothing can compare with Him. Thus, nobody has any right to pride.

Everything besides Allah is created. They are small. Allah (subhana wa ta’ala), their Creator, is very big. The earth is very small. Its people and properties are miniscule. If you want to gain significance then serve the One Who has significance.

We should remember who Allah has promised the good of the Hereafter to: “We grant the Home in the Hereafter to those who do not seek superiority on earth or spread corruption: the happy ending is awarded to those who are mindful of Allah.” [Quran: Surah Al-Qasas, Ayat 83]

Remember your insignificance, remember Allah’s Station, and do not seek superiority on earth.

News reached Umar bin Abdul Aziz (rahimahullah), who was at that time the Khalifa of the Islamic State spread over two continents, that his son had gotten a ring made for himself costing one thousand Dirhams. So Umar bin abdul Aziz wrote to his son saying, “The news has reached me of your having gotten a ring made for yourself worth one thousand Dirhams. If this news is correct, then sell the ring and feed one thousand hungry people with the money. And in place of it get a simple iron ring made for yourself; and engrave on it these words, “Rahimallahumra’an arafa qadra nafsihi (May Allah have mercy on that person who recognizes himself, i.e., his insignificance).” [Sharh Asma Allah al-Husna lil-Qushaeri]