Religious Superiority Complex

People like me, who have recently started ‘practicing’ deen since a few years, often tend to look down upon other Muslims who appear to be not as devout Muslims as we assume ourselves to be. For instance, when we come across Muslims who are not regular with their namaz or fasts, we tend to view them as some lower life forms, with pity or outright disgust!

But Allah says:

کَذٰلِکَ کُنۡتُمۡ مِّنۡ قَبۡلُ فَمَنَّ اللّٰہُ عَلَیۡکُمۡ

“You yourselves were like that before; before Allah conferred His favor upon you.”

[Surah anNisa, ayat 94]

This ayat serves to uproot that superority complex. It reminds us that we were also no better than those guys until a few years back. I, for one, began offering namaz only when I was in my late teens, and had never read the Qur'an in Arabic before my 22nd birthday. I should, therefore, be expected to stand in awe of boys and girls who are way ahead of me in deen than what I was when I was their age, right?

We need to remind ourselves that had it not been for Allah's favour upon us, we would have been the same benamazi and bedeen Muslims that we wrongfully taunt others to be. It is out of His sheer mercy that we have been privileged to follow His deen to some extent. Instead of puffing up with pride, should our heads not bow before Him in humility and gratitude?

And in any case, seeing our own selves as some kaamil Muslims is itself an arrogant attitude to begin with. It is nothing but self-deception. Allah reminds us thus:

فَلَا تُزَکُّوۡۤا اَنۡفُسَکُمۡ ؕ ہُوَ اَعۡلَمُ بِمَنِ اتَّقٰی        

“Do not claim yourselves to be pure; He is most knowing of who fears Him.”

[Surah anNajm, ayat 32]

May we all emerge as humble and pious Muslims this Ramazan. Amen.

Dr. Parvez Mandviwala