In this field...

In this field, we would like to briefly quote what some scholars of the hereafter have said so the benefit may thereby be complete : As we stated before, the origin of conceit' in man is his seeing the attribute of perfection in his nafs even if it is not a real perfection but an imagined one.

It is known that perfection is of many types and is divided from one standpoint into two kinds : FIRST : The perfections that come to be through the choice of the individual and are optional, SECOND : The perfections that do not fall under his choice: rather, he is awarded them without his having had a say in their regard, such as beauty, lineage, and the like.

Since conceit penetrates the heart mostly by way of optional perfections, we would like to tackle them and say the following : If we suppose there is someone who is pious and God-fearing, and he performs many acts of adoration.

If he admires them because these attributes and righteous deeds rest in him being the one who undertakes them, believing that the origin of a righteous deed comes from AIM, Praise to Him, and that is the One Who bestows his attribute on him and enables him to undertake this deed, yet he, despite this [sound] belief, still feels conceited ..., this is nothing hut ignorance because this individual to whom reference is made is being utilized, and he has nothing to do with originating; so, how can he admire a deed with which he has nothing to do?

But if he is conceitd because this attribute or that deed comes out of him rather than anyone else, and it takes place through his choice, his ability, let him think about the ability, the will, his physical parts and the rest of causes that have a role in completing carrying out the good deed: Where did he get them from?

If he gets to know that all this comes from Allah, the most Praised One from His boons which He granted him without his being requiring them, without a precedence or a means ..., in this portrait, he ought to admire the Truthful One, the Almighty, and admire His generosity and favor which He bestowed upon him these boons without being worthy of them, preferring him over others, rather than admiring himself.

In order to explain this minute Gnostic quest, let us state- an example: Let us suppose that a king reviews his troops. He looks at them and promotes one of them, not for a particular merit in him, nor beauty, nor service, to receive a promotion.