Dear Islamic brothers! Generally, we see that when someone becomes well known amongst common people and dignitaries for any of his achievements, then he starts considering himself to be “something”. He considers of others as lower than himself. He feels shame and disgrace in doing routine tasks himself and feels a pang for the greed of this world, fame and reputation. While following his worldly desires, he becomes heedless regarding the Hereafter!

However, may we be sacrificed for Sayyiduna Imam Bukhari رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه! He never allowed even an atom’s worth of arrogance and haughtiness close to him despite having memorized hundreds of thousands of Ahadees! He held firm to humility and humbleness. He practically embraced simplicity. He adopted asceticism and contentment during the years of his education. 

Sayyiduna Imam Bukhari’s رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه humility and humbleness

Sayyiduna Imam Bukhari’s رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه chosen student Muhammad bin Haatim Warraaq رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه narrates: Once, Sayyiduna Imam Bukhari رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه was building a travellers lodge near Bukhara. Alongside him were also many of his helpers and admirers, but despite this, Sayyiduna Imam Bukhari رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه was lifting bricks himself and building walls! I stepped forward and said: ‘Please leave this, I will place the bricks!’ He رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه replied: ‘This action will benefit me on the Day of Judgement!’ (Irshad-ul-Saari, vol. 1, pp. 65)

Would eat dry bread!

Sayyiduna Imam Bukhari رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه even survived on eating dry grass at times during his years of studies.

At times, he would usually eat only two or three almonds throughout the day. On one occasion, Sayyiduna Imam Bukhari رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه fell ill. The doctors said that his intestines had become dry due to constantly eating dry bread. On hearing this diagnosis, Sayyiduna Imam Bukhari رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه informed them that he had been consuming dry bread for forty years and during this time, he had not even touched curry. (Tazkirah-tul-Muhaddiseen, pp. 182)