Izzah

Izzah or honour is a creation of Allah Ta’ala that He created just as He created everything. It is in the hand of Allah Ta’ala. It is He who gives Izzah to whoever He wishes.

"... You grant honour to whoever You please and disgrace to whoever You please ..." (S3: V 26)

Real Izzah

Real Izzah lies in acting according to the command of Allah Ta’ala. The Izzah of a person depends on the extent that he is serious in Deen. The more he is on Deen, the more he has Izzah. The further he is from Deen, the more he does not have Izzah. The honour that a person has, despite not being on Deen, is a make-up that does not last long. Sooner or later, it will fade. Nonetheless, Izzah that Allah Ta’ala gives to a person, who acts according to His commands, is real Izzah. It is a crown that remains on the head all the time. The one who seeks Izzah elsewhere is absolutely like a person who is proceeding in the opposite direction whereby he is getting further from his goal instead of getting what he desires. It is a goal that will never be achieved. Hazrat Umar (Radiyallahu Anhu) said:

"We were a lowly nation. Allah Ta’ala has honoured us through Islam. Now, whenever we will seek honour through another means besides the one that Allah Ta’ala has bestowed upon us, Allah will dishonour us."

Izzah that Allah Ta’ala gives

An Izzah, that Allah Ta’ala gives, cannot be snatched by anyone. In the past, many have murdered the Prophets and pious people - but this did not work. These personalities remained what they were. It is the criminals who had suffered defeat. It is the criminals who have wasted their precious time trying to extinguish the light that Allah has lighted. Nonetheless, that light continued to shine.

"They try to blow out the light of Allah with their mouths but Allah refuses except that His light be completed even though the Kaafiroon detest it." (S 9: V 32)

A person renders service to himself when he does not oppose the pious people as his enmity and opposition will cause harm to himself. It is as if he is hitting his head against a rock. It is his head which will break. It is a way of opposing Allah Ta’ala:

"The one who opposes one of my Wali, I declare war against him..." (Bukhari)

The one who is on "Baatil" (falsity) will be wiped off from the map without being wiped. That is there is no need to wipe him off. However, the one who is on Haq (the truth), will continue his journey. He will never be wiped off. It is similar to something which has been engraved on an object. However much one will try to erase it, it will never be erased. If it has to be erased, it will only be when the thing is destroyed. However, there will be a difference between the two types of annihilation. One will be wiped out for a good cause and the other one for an evil cause.

[English version of "Izzat" – Al Jamiat – Vol.1 No.11]