المدح| الحلقة 12 | Praise and Blame

Summary

This video reflects on the nature of praise and blame, using the example of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to guide the understanding of how to respond to both. Praise should be sincere, grounded in truth, and never excessive, as it can lead to self-delusion. Blame, too, should be based on knowledge, avoiding unjust criticism. The Prophet’s teachings encourage humility, patience, and integrity in the face of both praise and blame. Ultimately, the highest form of praise is that from Allah, and a believer should strive to embody the virtues that Allah loves, as His approval is the only one that truly matters.

Takeaways

• 😀 Praise and blame are universal experiences that affect everyone, but it's important not to let them sway your actions or beliefs.
• 😀 Excessive or exaggerated praise can lead to self-delusion and arrogance, which can be harmful to an individual’s character.
• 😀 The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was praised the most, but also endured the most unjust blame. His example serves as a guide for how to handle praise and blame.
• 😀 True praise should be sincere and measured, ensuring that it benefits the person being praised without causing harm or leading to arrogance.
• 😀 Praise should be based on observable qualities, like good character or acts of worship, rather than speculative or exaggerated claims.
• 😀 When praising someone, it's better to say 'I think' rather than making absolute claims about their character, as only Allah knows the truth of a person's heart.
• 😀 Blaming someone without knowledge, or wronging others in the name of religion, is prohibited and can break someone's spirit.
• 😀 A person should not be affected by praise or blame from others, but should remain focused on their goal of pleasing Allah above all else.
• 😀 The ultimate goal should be to seek Allah’s praise, as this is the highest form of approval a person can attain.
• 😀 Instead of being consumed by human praise or blame, one should focus on actions that align with Allah’s teachings, such as establishing prayer, charity, and good character.
• 😀 The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught that actions should be done for the sake of Allah and that praise from Allah on the Day of Judgment is what truly matters.

Q & A

Why is the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) the most praised individual?

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the most praised individual because of his unmatched character, leadership, and the numerous virtues he embodied. He is also the recipient of constant praise from Allah and has been praised by countless people throughout history.

What is the potential harm of excessive praise?

Excessive praise can lead to self-delusion, arrogance, and inflated ego, causing individuals to lose touch with reality and potentially leading them away from humility. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) warned against exaggerating praise for this reason.

What did the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) praise Ashaj for?

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) praised Ashaj for possessing two qualities that Allah loves: clemency and deliberateness. Ashaj was praised for these qualities after he arrived in Madina and presented himself with care and cleanliness.

How did Ashaj react to the Prophet’s praise?

Ashaj, upon hearing the praise, asked if these qualities were attributes he had attained or were created by Allah. When the Prophet confirmed that Allah had created him with them, Ashaj praised Allah for these qualities.

What is the correct way to offer praise, according to the Prophet?

When offering praise, one should say 'I think such and such' if they believe a person has certain qualities, acknowledging that only Allah knows the true nature of the person. This avoids overstepping and the risk of inaccurate praise.

What are the dangers of praising someone for matters beyond our knowledge?

Praising someone for matters beyond our knowledge, such as declaring them a saint or of the people of Paradise, is misleading and can harm both the person being praised and the one offering the praise, as it involves speculation beyond what is observable or verifiable.

Why should a believer not let praise or blame affect them excessively?

A believer should not let praise or blame affect them excessively because it can distract them from their true goal, which is to seek Allah’s approval. Praise should encourage one to do more good, while blame should motivate them to show their true character and increase their good deeds.

What is the most valuable form of praise according to the lecture?

The most valuable form of praise is from Allah, as His commendation holds eternal significance, far surpassing any praise from people. A believer should focus on embodying qualities that Allah praises, such as establishing prayer and being generous.

How can excessive blame harm someone?

Excessive blame can break a person’s spirit and cause emotional distress. If the blame is unjust, it can also distort their self-perception and harm their relationship with others. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) advised against blaming others without knowledge.

What are some qualities praised by Allah that a believer should strive for?

Some qualities praised by Allah that a believer should strive for include safeguarding the prayer, being generous in charity, maintaining patience, humility, and being diligent in good deeds, as these are the qualities that lead to Allah's approval.