by Yahya Abdul Rahman - Jan 24, 2005
"Anas bin Malik
(May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) had a she-camel called
Al-`Adba' which would not allow any other camel to surpass her. A bedouin came riding his
camel which outstripped it. The Muslims were much grieved at this. Messenger of Allah
(PBUH) perceived it and said, "It is Allah's Way that he lowers whatever raises
itself in the world."
[Al-Bukhari].
One of the beautiful characteristics of the utterances of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is that although he spoke very few words when we opened his mouth, yet his words had a very wide meaning and many important lessons can be taken from them. This is why time and again we can go back and read the same hadeeth over and over and find something new and fresh each and every time. The lessons which can be gleaned from the Prophet's simple narrations in order to guide us on the right path is truly food for the ever searching soul which longs to please Allah.
In the above hadeeth we have an incident during the lifetime of the Prophet (PBUH) when he had owned a camel called Al-`Adba' and no other camel could beat her in a race. But then one day a Bedouin came with his camel and beat the Prophet's camel in a race. Although this upset the Prophet's companions, the Prophet himself was not upset in the least but instead used this incident to illustrate an important lesson which we can all learn from, and that we should always keep in mind. And this is indeed a characteristic of an excellent teacher when he can take a non-complex example or incident from everyday life to convey or illustrate an important message.
When the Prophet's camel was beaten in the race he (PBUH) merely responded by stating: "It is Allah's Way that he lowers whatever raises itself in the world." What is meant by this is that everything has its time and that Allah, in His wisdom, never keeps anything in the world on the rise eternally. Everything we see in the world around us will eventually decline and be annihilated. Every shining star will eventually fade. No matter how strong or powerful a person may become, someone else will eventually come along and be stronger. Individuals and nations rise to greatness and then Allah brings them down. If humanity - and especially those who hold positions of power - were to keep this principle in mind, just maybe power and prestige would not go to their heads and they would carry out the duties of their office with humility. It is Allah who allows people and nations to come to greatness and it is Allah which brings about their eventual decline. The powerful become weak and the weak become powerful. Where are you now oh Napoleon? Where are you now oh British Empire? And where are all the Pharaohs of old with all their pomp and wealth?
One person Allah mentions in the Quran is a man called Qarun. Note what happened to him:
"Qarun was doubtless, of the people of Moses;
but he acted insolently towards them: such were the treasures We had bestowed on him that
their very keys would have been a burden to a body of strong men, behold, his people said
to him: "Exult not, for Allah loveth not those who exult (in riches). "But
seek, with the (wealth) which Allah has bestowed on thee, the Home of the Hereafter, nor
forget thy portion in this world: but do thou good, as Allah has been good to thee, and
seek not (occasions for) mischief in the land: for Allah loves not those who do
mischief." He said: "This has been given to me because of a certain
knowledge which I have." Did he not know that Allah had destroyed, before him,
(whole) generations,- which were superior to him in strength and greater in the amount (of
riches) they had collected? but the wicked are not called (immediately) to account for
their sins. So he went forth among his people in the (pride of his worldly) glitter.
Said those whose aim is the Life of this World: "Oh! that we had the like of what
Qarun has got! for he is truly a lord of mighty good fortune!" But those who had been
granted (true) knowledge said: "Alas for you! The reward of Allah (in the Hereafter)
is best for those who believe and work righteousness: but this none shall attain, save
those who steadfastly persevere (in good)." Then We caused the earth to
swallow up him and his house; and he had not (the least little) party to help him against
Allah, nor could he defend himself. And those who had envied his position the day
before began to say on the morrow: "Ah! it is indeed Allah Who enlarges the provision
or restricts it, to any of His servants He pleases! had it not been that Allah was
gracious to us, He could have caused the earth to swallow us up! Ah! those who reject
Allah will assuredly never prosper." That Home of the Hereafter We shall give to
those who intend not high-handedness or mischief on earth: and the end is (best) for the
righteous. (Quran 28:76-83)
Qarun thought he had it all, that his wealth would never be taken away and that it was all
due to his greatness. But he was wrong and failed to learn the lessons of history and
practice humility, just like humanity today is still failing to learn the lessons of
history. There continues to be many Qaruns in our midst.
As a reminder here are a few verses from the Holy Quran:
Do they not travel through the earth, and see what was the end of those before them? They were superior to them in strength: they tilled the soil and populated it in greater numbers than these have done: there came to them their messengers with Clear (Signs). (Which they rejected, to their own destruction): It was not Allah Who wronged them, but they wronged their own souls. (30:9)
Do they not travel through the earth and see what was the End of those before them? They were even superior to them in strength, and in the traces (they have left) in the land: but Allah did call them to account for their sins, and none had they to defend them against Allah. (40:21)
Do they not travel through the earth and see what was the End of those before them? They were more numerous than these and superior in strength and in the traces (they have left) in the land: Yet all that they accomplished was of no profit to them. (40: 82)
See also Quran 47:10; 35:44; 3:137; 6:11 and 29:20
The fact that Allah admonishes us to think of those in the past so many times in the Quran is a strong indication of how important this topic is. The stories and verses from the Quran and hadeeth remind us all that we should walk on this earth with humility and that it is Allah who is the disposer of our affairs. We must keep in mind that no matter how successful or influential we become it is all due to Allah and if we fail to remember Him and become arrogant and boastful then our fate will be like those before us. A life lived that was not pleasing to Allah will be of no profit in the hearafter no matter how successful or powerful the person became in this world.
Let us take heed to the words of the Holy Quran where Allah says: "And walk not on earth with conceit and arrogance.'' (17:37)
Yes, we can learn spiritual lessons from a camel race just like we can learn spiritual lessons from many otherwise mundane everyday incidents. We just need to attune ourselves to them and Allah will show us wisdom in things we never thought possible or even considered of being of any consequence.