Condemnation of desiring fame

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The leader of Ahl al-Sunnah, Mawlana Muhammad Ilyas Attar Qadiri دَامَـتْ بَـرَكَـاتُـهُـمُ الْـعَـالِـيَـهْ states that desiring fame is defined as wanting renown and respect.^{^[1]}

In criticising the desire for fame, The Proof of Islam, Imām Muḥammad al-Ghazālī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه said: “The purpose of seeking fame is to establish a status for oneself in the hearts of people. This desire is the root of every corruption.”^{^[2]} To protect yourself from desiring fame, we should reflect upon the Quran and Aḥādīth that highlight its dangers:

Verse 83 of Surah al-Qaṣaṣ states:

تِلْكَ الدَّارُ الْاٰخِرَةُ نَجْعَلُهَا لِلَّذِیْنَ لَا یُرِیْدُوْنَ عُلُوًّا فِی الْاَرْضِ وَ لَا فَسَادًاؕ-

This abode of the Hereafter We create for those who neither seek supremacy in the earth nor discord;^{^[3]}

In this verse, the intention of seeking fame and the intention of causing corruption are mentioned, indicating that the Hereafter is only for the one who is free from both of these intentions.

Furthermore, verses 15 and 16 of Surah Hūd state:

مَنْ كَانَ یُرِیْدُ الْحَیٰوةَ الدُّنْیَا وَ زِیْنَتَهَا نُوَفِّ اِلَیْهِمْ اَعْمَالَهُمْ فِیْهَا وَ هُمْ فِیْهَا لَا یُبْخَسُوْنَ(۱۵)

اُولٰٓىٕكَ الَّذِیْنَ لَیْسَ لَهُمْ فِی الْاٰخِرَةِ اِلَّا النَّارُ ﳲ وَ حَبِطَ مَا صَنَعُوْا فِیْهَا وَ بٰطِلٌ مَّا كَانُوْا یَعْمَلُوْنَ(۱۶)

Whosoever desires the life of this world and its adornment, We shall recompense them fully for their deeds in this life, and they will not receive less in

[1] Naiki ki Dawat, p. 87

[2] Ihya’-al-‘Uloom, vol. 3, p. 34

[3] Al-Quran, Al-Qasas, verse 83; translation from Kanz al-ꜤIrfān

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