“Fame, the idol of our age, demands sacrifices of honor, dignity, and even sanity. People foolishly chase recognition, even if it means compromising their integrity. Wise individuals, however, seek obscurity, prioritizing substance over superficiality. As Sufyan al-Thawri wisely said, “I wish I could live unnoticed.”
~Shaykh Saifullah
What is in being recognized that is safer than what is found in being unrecognized? What are you chasing? Troubles? Problems? Evil eyes? Destruction? Loss off good deeds? If Allah grants you recognition that also means he provides you with imaan and protection, he provides you with His mercy, providing you are humble and run away from fame and recognition… but if you seek it, and your aim is to be known in any field and you dream to be known for yourself or your parents or to show someone how better you are, then this will never be fruitful for you even if you reach that goal. If anything you do isn’t for pleasing Allah, or isnt due to His fear or love or isn’t done to show Him gratitude or isn’t abstained from to show him Taqwa and Imaan… Then what’s the point of saying you love Allah? Say you love yourself, say it’s all about yourself, don’t involve Allah in matters where you are drowning in the pool of me.. me.. me.. I.. I.. I… Watch me, listen to me, look at me, compliment me, give me likes, views and follow me . If it’s all about you then be sure to meet the horrors that await in the consequences, may Allah guide us and protect us.
قال صلى الله عليه وسلم: ما ذئبان جائعان أرسلا في غنم بأفسد لها من حرص المرء على المال والشرف لدينه. أخرجه الترمذي، وقال: هذا حديث حسن صحيح.
وأول من تضرم به النار يوم القيامة مبتغي الشهرة بالعمل الصالح، جاء في الحديث عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم أنه قال: إن أول الناس يقضى يوم القيامة عليه رجل استشهد، فأتي به فعرفه نعمه فعرفها، قال: فما عملت فيها؟ قال: قاتلت فيك حتى استشهدت، قال: كذبت، ولكنك قاتلت لأن يقال: جريء، فقد قيل، ثم أمر به فسحب على وجهه حتى ألقي في النار، ورجل تعلم العلم، وعلمه وقرأ القرآن، فأتي به فعرفه نعمه فعرفها، قال: فما عملت فيها؟ قال: تعلمت العلم، وعلمته وقرأت فيك القرآن، قال: كذبت، ولكنك تعلمت العلم ليقال: عالم، وقرأت القرآن ليقال: هو قارئ، فقد قيل، ثم أمر به فسحب على وجهه حتى ألقي في النار، ورجل وسع الله عليه، وأعطاه من أصناف المال كله، فأتي به فعرفه نعمه فعرفها، قال: فما عملت فيها؟ قال: ما تركت من سبيل تحب أن ينفق فيها إلا أنفقت فيها لك، قال: كذبت، ولكنك فعلت ليقال: هو جواد، فقد
قيل، ثم أمر به فسحب على وجهه، ثم ألقي في النار. أخرجه مسلم
The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“Two hungry wolves let loose among sheep cause no more harm to them than a person’s greed for wealth and status does to their religion.”
~Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, who said: “This is a sound and authentic hadith.”
The first to be cast into Hellfire on the Day of Resurrection will be those who sought fame through righteous deeds. In a narration from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), he said:
“The first of people to be judged on the Day of Resurrection will be a man who was martyred. He will be brought before Allah, and He will make known to him His blessings, and the man will acknowledge them. Allah will ask: ‘What did you do with them?’ The man will say: ‘I fought in Your cause until I was martyred.’ Allah will say: ‘You lie. You fought so that people would say you were brave, and it has been said.’ Then he will be commanded to be dragged on his face until he is thrown into the Fire.
“Then there will be a man who acquired knowledge, taught it to others, and recited the Qur’an. He will be brought before Allah, and He will make known to him His blessings, and the man will acknowledge them. Allah will ask: ‘What did you do with them?’ The man will say: ‘I learned knowledge, taught it, and recited the Qur’an for Your sake.’ Allah will say: ‘You lie. You learned so that it would be said you were a scholar, and you recited so it would be said you were a reciter, and it has been said.’ Then he will be commanded to be dragged on his face until he is thrown into the Fire.
“Then there will be a man whom Allah made wealthy and gave from every type of wealth. He will be brought before Allah, and He will make known to him His blessings, and the man will acknowledge them. Allah will ask: ‘What did you do with them?’ The man will say: ‘I did not leave a single path You love for wealth to be spent except that I spent in it for Your sake.’ Allah will say: ‘You lie. You spent so that it would be said you were generous, and it has been said.’ Then he will be commanded to be dragged on his face until he is thrown into the Fire.”
~Narrated by Muslim.