afterwards, but first, a servant of Allah Almighty. A scholar is a scholar afterwards, but first, a servant. An engineer is an engineer afterwards, but first, a servant. In short, whatever we are, we are first and foremost servants, and then something else. Therefore, above all, we should observe the etiquette of being a servant.

A Few Etiquettes of Servitude

There are many etiquettes of being a servant. Imam Shaʿrānī رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ  wrote an entire book titled Ādāb al-Ubūdiyyah, in which he described many etiquettes of servitude. For instance, one etiquette of being a servant is that a servant should always keep their attention focused on Allah Almighty. When a blessing is received (e.g., wealth is granted, children are born, happiness is attained, or any other blessing), one should not become absorbed in that blessing. One should not fall into heedlessness because of it, but rather continue to fulfil the rights of Allah Almighty in every condition. Always remain a seeker of Allah Almighty, for all treasures of blessings are in His control. A servant should always be content with the pleasure of Allah Almighty. ٭  They should accept every decision of His wholeheartedly. ٭  They should remain happy with whatever is granted. ٭  If sorrow comes, they should not complain. ٭  If happiness is attained, they should not become rebellious. ٭  They should simply remain seekers of Allah Almighty’s pleasure. ٭  They should not regard anything in the world as their own possession. ٭  They firmly believe that everything belongs to Allah Almighty; He is the true Owner. Whatever I possess is from Allah Almighty; He has granted it to me through His mercy. ٭  They should always view their acts of worship and good deeds as deficient. ٭  They should never fall victim to pride.

Dātā Ganj Bakhsh ꜤAlī Hujwayrī رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ  states: Among the etiquettes of being a servant is that one should abstain from disrespecting Allah Almighty (i.e., sin and disobedience) both in public and in private