Remember, it is not necessary for a person to actually be powerful to suffer from this spiritual illness. Often times it is the case that people possess no power at all, yet they think of themselves as strong and become intoxicated in these thoughts.

Only the person who uproots this lust for power, does not think only about himself, controls his nafs, and removes this “Firʿawn” from within; only this person can truly avoid being oppressive to others.

Let’s look at our society. Whoever is humble never causes harm to others, and even if he unintentionally does so, he quickly asks for forgiveness. On the other hand, whoever is arrogant and considers himself better than others, becomes angry over the smallest of things.

We must learn to control this Firʿawn within us, otherwise known as the nafs ammāra, and become humble, modest, and courteous.

Sulaymān عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم is a prophet of Allah. He had a royal bird, famously known as Hudhud. It once went somewhere without Prophet Sulaymān’s permission, angering him immensely. “When Hudhud returns, I will punish it”, he announced.

When Hudhud returned and saw Prophet Sulaymān was angered, it dragged its wings across the floor when approaching him, in a display of heartfelt humility. Seeing this was the right time, it then elegantly and respectfully began speaking to Prophet Sulaymān about how we shall all stand before Allah on the Day of Judgement.

As soon as he heard the Day of Judgement being mentioned, Prophet Sulaymān began to shake in fear of Allah, and proceeded to forgive Hudhud.^[1]

May Allah make us those who fear Him! May He make us true embodiments of humility! 

اٰمِیْنْ بِجَاہِ خاتَمِ النَّبِیّٖن صلَّی اللہُ عَلَیْہ ِوَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ