Q:
1. How can one be humble? How does humility feel like in the heart? Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (Rahimahullah) said that true humility is not felt by a person just like a sleeping person doesn't know he is sleeping. What are the steps one can take to ensure they have no pride in their heart?
2. If someone makes tawbah sincerely, their sins are forgiven. How can one balance this with humility? Humility means seeing ourselves sinful and useless. If one does their best to make tawbah, how can they still feel sinful?
3. Is it against humility to like good traits one has as part of gratefulness to Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'aalaa)? How can one differentiate between 'ujb and happiness?
A:
1. Humility is not just about a feeling and perception. It becomes sort of natural. It is not just a make up or appearance. For example, someone offered you to sit on a chair but you feel that you are worthy to sit on the ground. This is not a make up or performance. Rather this is your conviction and understanding.
2. Don't worry about the feeling. Just do the work.
3. If you consider it to be a blessing of Allah Ta`ala and that it is not of your own accord and it is His favour then this will not amount to pride.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
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