Okay so this will be a bit techy and something slightly different. But I’m random you know 😶 Following is a reminder for all of us, in shaa Allah. May Allah (swt) protect us. Ameen.

What is ‘Ujb?

‘Ujb is the sense of self-amazement directed at one’s own abilities and capabilities.

وكثيراً ما يقرن الرياء بالعجب، فالرياء من باب الإشراك
بالخلق، والعجب من باب الإشراك بالنفس، وهذا حال
المستكبر؛ فالم رائي لا يحقق قوله }إِاياكَ ن عَْبُدُ{، والمعجب لا
يحقق قوله: }وإِاياكَ نَسْتَعِينُ{، فمن حقق قوله: }إِاياكَ ن عَْبُدُ
{ خرج عن الرياء، ومن حقق قوله: }وإِاياكَ نَسْتَعِينُ{ خرج
عن الإعجاب

‘Ujb and riyā (showing off) are often coupled. Riyā is an act of shirk involving other creatures whereas ‘ujb is an act of shirk involving the self, and the latter is the condition of the arrogant. The one who shows off does not actualize, “You alone we worship” and the one in awe of himself does not actualize, “In You alone we seek assistance”. He who actualizes “You alone we worship” exits riyā and he who actualises “In You alone we seek assistance” exits ‘ujb. —Ibn Taymiyyah

Here are a few references regarding what Allāh and His messenger (saw) have said about ‘ujb:

الاذِينَ ضَلا سَعْيُ هُمْ فِِ الَْْيَاةِ الدُّنْ يَا وَهُمْ يَحْسَبُونَ أَانَُّمْ يُحْسِنُونَ
صُنْ عًا

[ 18: ١٠٤]

[They are] those whose effort is lost in worldly life, while they think that they are doing well in work. (18:104)

ب يَْ نَمَا رَجُلٌ يََْشِي فِِ حُلاةٍ ت عُْجِبُهُ ن فَْسُهُ مُرَجِِّلٌ جُُاتَهُ إِذْ خَسَفَ
الله بِهِ، فَ هُوَ ي تََجَلْجَلُ إِلَى ي وَْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ

While a man was walking, clad in a two-piece garment and proud of himself with his hair well-combed, suddenly Allah made him sink into the earth and he will go on sinking into it till the Day of Resurrection. (Bukhārī)

ثَلََثٌ مُهْلِكَاتٌ وَثَلََثٌ مُنْجِيَاتٌ ، فَأَاما الْمُ هْلِكَاتُ فَشُحٌّ
مُطَاعٌ ، وَهَوًى مُتا بَعٌ ، وَإِعْجَابُ الْمَرْءِ بِنَ فْسِهِ ، وَالثالََثُ
الْمُنْجِيَاتُ تَ قْوَى ا ا للَِّ فِِ السِِّرِِّ وَالْعَلََنِيَةِ ، وَكَلِمَةُ الَْْقِِّ فِِ الرِِّضَا
وَال ا سخَطِ ، وَالِاقْتِصَادُ فِِ الْغِنََ وَالْفَقْرِ

Three things destroy, and three things save. As for the three things that destroy, they are: greediness that is obeyed, and desires that are followed, and a person becoming self-conceited (and in awe) with himself. As for the three things that save, they are: the fear of Allāh in secret and public, and fairness in anger and pleasure, and moderation in poverty and richness. (Bayhaqī)

What a couple of early Muslims have mentioned reagrding ‘ujb

الهلَك فِ اثنين: القنوط والعجب

Destruction is in two things: despair and ‘ujb. —Ibn Mas’ūd

لْن أبيت نائماً وأصبح نادماً أحب إلِِّ من أن أبيت قائماً
وأصبح معجب اً

I would rather sleep and wake up regretful than pray the night and wake up with ‘ujb. —Muṭarrif

There are several ways and means of limiting and eliminating the disease of ‘ujb, and protecting oneself from it:

— Witness the realities of Allāh whilst witnessing your own origins and realities
— Acknowledge the inner weaknesses and defects that you continue to fail in getting rid of
— Be in a team that are greater and more skilled than you, and work alongside them
— Perform ‘Ibādāt of Essences with the intention to eliminate ‘ujb
— Spend time with people who are like you, but due to a disaster are in need of humanitarian help and assistance
— Speak of other people’s talents, skills and achievements A LOT, and appreciate them
— Learn about your role models and their achievements, and also their humility
— Engage in meaningful isthighfār, tawbah, gratitude and always seek His assistance from the heart