Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan (may
Allaah preserve him) said:
One of the characteristics of
the pre-Islamic days of ignorance is bragging even if it is deservedly. They used
to brag about their deeds and the deeds of their forefathers. This is
prohibited, because bragging about one’s deeds leads to self-admiration and
contempt for others. This is prohibited as it is one of the actions of the
pre-Islamic days of ignorance.
Therefore, it is not
permissible for a Muslim to brag, because no matter what he sacrifices and
does, he will be falling short; and he cannot discharge everything Allaah has
enjoined upon him. The right of Allaah is great; the right of parents is great
and the right of relatives is great. There are great rights upon him. So, why
should a person boast when he does something good or performs some good deeds
despite the fact that he only did something little? This is with respect to
bragging regarding that which is between him and the creatures. But if he brags
with his deeds that is between him and Allaah, then this is worst, because it
will lead to being amazed with the deed and to consider the deeds much; and
this nullifies the deed.
So, it is obligatory upon a
person to always consider himself as falling short in regard to that which is
between him and Allaah. This is clear. [Similarly, he should also consider
himself falling short] in that which is between him and the creatures. This is because
if he considers himself falling short in his deed, such will spur him to be
humble and increase in doing deeds. However, if he considers himself as being
perfect and that he has fulfilled the obligation, this would make him desist
from doing good deeds and think that he has attained the utmost degree, and
thus refrain from doing good deeds.
Source: Sharh Masaa’il
al-Jaahiliyyah, p. 247-248 by Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan. Transl. by
Abdus-Samee Abdus-Salaam.
