CONCEIT

 Conceit, “mukabere” is not to accept the Truth when it is heard. By being obstinate Ebu Jahil and Ebu Talib didn’t believe that Hadrat Muhammed was a Prophet and denied this reality. Obstinacy and conceit are the results of other bad habits like hypocrisy, covetousness and greed. Our Prophet -peace be upon Him- declared: “The most disliked person by Allah is the one who persists to accept the Truth.”

 A Muslim has dignity. He makes things easy for other people. But concerning religious matters, when the orders and prohibitions set by Allah, he states his position clearly and he is stable. A mountain may wear a way in time because of erosion but religious felling of a Muslim is never worn a way. (1)
------------------------------
(1) Islamic Ethic, M.hadimi.

 It means being conceited -ucb- in Arabic, means to praise one approving his own worship and goodness. Knowing the value of the worship, kindness that one keeps doing and being afraid and sad by the thought of loosing them is not “ucb”. Or to be glad by recognizing that these are a favor come from Allah Almighty is not “ucb” either. It is regarded as conceit to be pleased with the things one does or earns without remembering that they are blessings from Allah. The contrary of “ucb” is “minnet”- indebtedness-. “minnet” is one’s recognizing the fact that he can not attain the favor with his own hand and effort but by the kindness and endowment of Allah The Most High. This way of thinking is a binding duty when there is a danger of self -admiration. In other times it is an act recommended by religion-mustehab-. The main reasons that lead someone to self-admiration are ignorance-cehalet- and unawareness-gaflet-. To free oneself from this feeling, one should consider that everything comes out from the will and creation of Allah and the valued favors like wisdom, knowledge, performing worship, wealth and position are all the kindness and endowment of Allah.

 Everything that is useful and pleasant for man is a favor-nimet-. All the favors are sent by Allah. There is no creator and sender other than Allah. During the war of Huneyn, some of the companions of our Prophet-Peace be upon Him- said “ We will never be defeated” by looking the crowd of Muslim soldiers. When these words are heard by The Apostle of Allah, he became sad. So at the beginning of the battle the Help of Allah didn’t arrive and they started to be defeated. Later Allah Almighty showed His Compassion and He bestowed the victory. Prophet David -peace be upon him- said while he was praying: “O My Lord, some of my children haven’t spent any night without worship and any day without fasting.” In reply to this Allah declared: “If I didn’t ask and give them power and opportunity none of them could be performed”. These words of Prophet David roused divine zeal and caused troubles befall to him that are written in the books on history. The things that cause the feeling of pride are explained under the topic of “pride”. They also lead someone’s conceit. It’s a great blessing being grateful to the favors of Allah Almighty.

 The harms and disasters of “ucb” are numerous. It gives way being haughty and forgetting one’s sins. Sins darken man’s heart. Someone who considers his sins doesn’t regard his performing worship as important. He recognizes that worship also a blessing and endowment by Allah. Those who are conceited, forgets Allah’s torment. Also he is left deprived of the chance to benefit from other people. He doesn’t consult to anyone.

 In Hadith it is declared: “If you didn’t commit any sins at all I would fear that you would be caught by greater sins, that is -ucb-“. Someone who has some faults and sins is sorrowful and he may repent. Who has -ucb- is haughty with his knowledge and his religious practices. Because he is selfish it’s difficult for him to ask Allah’s forgiveness. The sad moans of the ones who repent are more likable to Allah than the conceit of the people who tell their bead. The worst of “ucb” is to approve one’s faults and the whims of his spirit-nefs-. Such a person always confirms to his carnal mind and doesn’t accept advice. He regards others as ignorant. Indeed he himself is too ignorant. (1)