The Balance Between Humility and Courage

“When Moses said to his servant, ‘I will not give up until I reach the junction of the two seas or continue for a long period’” (18:60).

In these words, we witness unwavering determination, firm resolve, courage, and perseverance. Amazement only deepens when we realize that the purpose of this journey was not to expand a kingdom or pursue worldly authority, but rather, a sincere desire to increase in virtue and perfection — a quest to meet one who could grant him greater knowledge and wisdom. It was a journey marked by both humility and courage. The balance between humility and courage can only be attained when one’s aim is the pursuit of truth and steadfastness in upholding it. Courage arises from the resolve to defend the truth, while humility is rooted in the spirit of submission to the Creator. This balance lies at the heart of the covenant the believers pledged to Allah (swt).

Every person has hopes and aspirations. The loftier and greater these aspirations, the greater the ambition, the stronger the will, and the more earnest the effort to achieve them. Yet, if these aspirations are purely worldly, their attainment is quickly followed by sadness and bitterness — for the soul is continually longing, with no limit to its desires. As the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “If the son of Adam were to possess a valley full of gold, he would desire to have two valleys. And nothing will fill his mouth except dust. And Allah forgives whom He wills.”

Indeed, when a worldly ambition is fulfilled, its excitement and joy quickly fade and become replaced by emptiness, sorrow, and disappointment. On the other hand, one who has no aspiration at all falls into disgrace, surrounded by failure, sinking into the pit of boredom and despair.

In truth, whoever’s hopes are confined to the worldly life will never find peace, for they are forever chasing mirages — just as Allah says: “As for the disbelievers, their deeds are like a mirage in a desert, which the thirsty perceive as water, but when they approach it, they find it to be nothing. Instead, they find Allah there ˹in the Hereafter, ready˺ to settle their account. And Allah is swift in reckoning” (24:39).

As a result, one can affirm that ambitions bring no true benefit, nor do they inspire courage, unless they are bound to the Hereafter and anchored in connection to the Creator — exalted is He. Only then does courage firmly take root in the heart, expressing itself through steadfastness, certainty, sincerity, and truthfulness. Its foundation lies in reliance upon Allah: holding fast to Him, placing complete trust in Him, thinking well of Him, and aspiring for the highest ranks on the Day of Judgment.

When reflecting on the ambitions of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) one can see that they were not directed toward the worldly life; rather, their hearts were attached to the Hereafter, and their souls yearned for the pleasure of Allah (swt) and the reward of Paradise. Abu Bakr al-Ṣiddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) aspired to enter Paradise through all eight of its gates. He was not content with targeting a single gate, but sought perfection. ʿUkkashah ibn Miḥṣan (may Allah be pleased with him) outpaced his peers when he heard the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) mention the seventy thousand who will enter Paradise without reckoning. He said: “O Messenger of Allah, pray to Allah to make me among them.” The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) replied: “You are among them.” His ambition was alive in his heart, so he hastened to ask. Rabi’ah ibn Ka’b al-Aslami (may Allah be pleased with him) set his ultimate goal as the companionship of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in Paradise. He did not ask for palaces or luxury, but for the honor of being in the highest company.

Whoever reflects upon the great pledge Allah (swt) mentions in Sūrat al-Tawbah: “Indeed, Allah has purchased from the believers their lives and their wealth [in exchange] for Paradise” (9:111), will realize that the contract is for Paradise, and the price of that pledge is one’s life and wealth in the path of Allah (swt). None truly understands the value of this pledge, except those who recognize the worth of Paradise and the pleasure of Allah within it.

When one’s ambition becomes attaining Paradise, and life is regarded only through the lens of the Hereafter, amazing things unfold: young men offer themselves willingly, giving their very lives in pursuit of Allah’s pleasure. Among them were those who presented themselves to the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), seeking his permission to join the battle of Uhud — such as Rāfiʿ ibn Khadīj, Samurah ibn Jundub, and ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with them all), along with other young Companions whose souls longed for jihad and the Hereafter.

Among the most astonishing ambitions was that of the Prophet himself (peace and blessings be upon him). In an authentic Hadith he said: “By the One in whose hand is my soul, were it not that there are men among the believers whose hearts would not be content to stay behind me, and I do not have the means to provide mounts for them, I would never remain behind from any expedition that fights in the cause of Allah. By the One in whose hand is my soul, I wish to be killed in the cause of Allah, then brought back to life, then killed, then brought back to life, then killed, then brought back to life, then killed.”

Truly, the value of a person lies in what they seek. Whoever’s aspiration is attached to the One above the Throne will be courageous and bold, fearing no blame in the cause of Allah, striving, hard, and hastening to every good. This deep attachment to Allah and lofty ambition shapes one’s character — just as Ibn Ḥazm (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “Do not expend yourself, except in what is greater than you — and that is in the cause of Allah, in calling to the truth, and in aiding the oppressed … ” He continued: “But to spend one’s self for the sake of worldly gain is like selling a ruby for gravel.”

To preserve courage, humility and steadfastness in doing good, a believer must attend two matters:

First: Fighting the obstacles that weaken the soul

• These obstacles are: worry, grief, incapacity, laziness, cowardice, and miserliness. They are ailments that weaken resolve and drain the strength of the heart. A servant must seek Allah’s help in removing them, as the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) taught in his supplication “O Allah, I seek refuge in You from worry and grief, from incapacity and laziness, and from cowardice and miserliness.”

Second: Turning away from the ego

• This is a lofty and difficult station to attain, yet striving toward it grants the servant both strength and tranquility. Al-Junayd (may Allah have mercy on him) summarized this state as: “A servant who is absent from himself, connected to the remembrance of his Lord, fulfilling His rights, and looking toward Him with his heart.”

This profound meaning is perfectly reflected in the Hadith of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), which encapsulates the entire path: “Whoever makes the Hereafter his concern, Allah will place richness in his heart, gather his affairs for him, and the world will come to him humbled. And whoever makes the world his concern, Allah will place poverty before his eyes, scatter his affairs, and nothing of the world will come to him, except what has been decreed for him.”