Some people, when criticized for falling short in some of the obligatory duties, say, "I am better than others," meaning they look at those who are below them. What should be said to them?
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The questioner : Some people, when criticized for falling short in some of the obligatory duties, say: "I am better than others," meaning they look at those who are below them in these matters?
The Shaykh : So that he becomes complacent, so that he becomes complacent. There is a difference between one who sees that he is in Allah's favor regarding the acts of obedience for which he has been guided, so he thanks Allah for that and says, "Praise be to Allah who did not make me like so-and-so," and one who is told, "Perform the act of obedience, pray in congregation," and he says, "I am better than the one who abandons prayer entirely." He is told, "Pay zakat on all your wealth," and he says, "I am better; I never pay zakat." He is told, "Be dutiful to your parents," and he says, "I am better than the one who beats his parents." This is not permissible.
The questioner : He should look at those above him in obedience.
The Shaykh : We divided it earlier. We said: if he looks at those above him in obedience in order to race them, this is required. If he looks at those below him in obedience in order to deflect the blame from himself, this is blameworthy. If he looks at those below him in obedience in order to thank Allah who guided him, there is nothing wrong with that. Good:[An-Naml 27:15]
The questioner : ... racing in obedience
The Shaykh : Yes, and for this reason we said: if he looks at those above him in order to race them, this is praiseworthy.
The Shaykh : So that he becomes complacent, so that he becomes complacent. There is a difference between one who sees that he is in Allah's favor regarding the acts of obedience for which he has been guided, so he thanks Allah for that and says, "Praise be to Allah who did not make me like so-and-so," and one who is told, "Perform the act of obedience, pray in congregation," and he says, "I am better than the one who abandons prayer entirely." He is told, "Pay zakat on all your wealth," and he says, "I am better; I never pay zakat." He is told, "Be dutiful to your parents," and he says, "I am better than the one who beats his parents." This is not permissible.
The questioner : He should look at those above him in obedience.
The Shaykh : We divided it earlier. We said: if he looks at those above him in obedience in order to race them, this is required. If he looks at those below him in obedience in order to deflect the blame from himself, this is blameworthy. If he looks at those below him in obedience in order to thank Allah who guided him, there is nothing wrong with that. Good:
And We had certainly given to David and Solomon knowledge, and they said, "Praise [is due] to Allah, who has favored us over many of His believing servants."
ولقد آتينا داوود وسليمان علماً وقالا الحمد لله الذي فضلناً على كثير من عباده المؤمنينThe questioner : ... racing in obedience
The Shaykh : Yes, and for this reason we said: if he looks at those above him in order to race them, this is praiseworthy.