Ujub or vanity

A question?

I know this one and that one. And I know myself. When it comes to speaking about positive things, I tend to speak regarding my positive side only, and yet, I know my shortcomings very well also. And when I have to speak regarding my friends, my gaze is on their negative sides, and yet, I also know their good qualities. And I am sure that I know my shortcomings better than the shortcomings of my friend.

What prevents me from looking at my shortcomings and the good qualities of my friend? What prevents me from acknowledging my shortcomings and allows me to criticise my friend?

What prevents me from seeing my shortcomings that are like mountains and allows me to criticise my friend for a small shortcoming in him? There must be something wrong with me. This shortcoming or this illness that makes me do this is vanity.

Ujub or vanity is a defect, shortcoming, malady and moral imbalance that must be treated. 

I should look at my bad qualities in order to correct myself. I should look at the good qualities of my friend in order to be able to inculcate and develop these good qualities in me. 

In this way, I can get rid of evil behaviours and I can get good qualities. Otherwise, I will be the biggest loser.

[English version of "Oujoub ou la vanité" – Al Jamiat – Vol.1 No.11]