UNDESERVED FAME

 

By

Ibn Abdillah As-sudaisiy Al-Iloori

Today, I drove pass a brother and he exclaimed. I didn't know what he wanted to say. But something told me he wanted to beg for money. Knowing the status of my pocket, it was with reluctance that I reversed the car to meet him. He said: are you Sheikh As-sudaisiy? Before I denied being a Sheikh, he just added we used to listen to your programme on Radio and NTA during Ramadan with Justice Sayi. My hand dropped. He started praying for me. He said I should extend his greeting to Sheikh. Up till now, if I see the brother again. I can't recognize him. 

What came to my mind was that the media hype is not good for us. This is why I hate turning the camera to myself, especially on social media. The man and probably some other people may be thinking we are scholars because of what we write and what we say. But by Allāh, I know my level. I know nothing. I am still very poor in the knowledge of the Deen. May Allāh bless me and my colleagues with beneficial knowledge. 

One of the greatest fitnah today is that many of us find it difficult to manage the undeserved of fame we get on social and electronic media. I advise myself and other people who are like me to fear Allāh on this. Let us not stop learning. Let us intensify our efforts in learning and relearning the Deen. Don't be intoxicated by the title: Ustadh, Sheikh, Imām, Hāfidh, Shā'ir, Muhaddith, Qāri', Faqīh and so on. The pleasure of Allāh is the most important. May we not be amazed by our scanty efforts. May Allah not hold the undeserved fame against us in this world and on the Day of Judgment.

Ibn Abdillah As-sudaisiy Al-Iloori