God has assigned to the believer the duty to [suffer]...

God has assigned to the believer the duty to [suffer] everything except humiliation of his own self. The characteristic opposite of self-depreciation is strength of character and self-respect; that is, one should acquire a temperament which is unaffected by anything pleasant or painful, either praise or blame. Imam al-Baqir (A) has been quoted as saying: المؤمن اصلب من الجبل. A true believer is firmer than a mountain.

In another tradition, he has been quoted as saying: إن الله اعطى المؤمن ثلاث خصال: العز في الدنيا والآخرة, والفلح في الدنيا والآخرة والمهابة في صدور الظالمين. God has bestowed on the believer three qualities: honour in this world and the Hereafter, salvation in both the worlds, and fear of him in the hearts of the oppressors.

Diffidence It means a feeling of inferiority which results in not making an effort to reach the heights of perfection open to the human being, and being content with lower and rudimentary attainments. This is one of the consequences of self-depreciation. Its opposite is the trait of confidence, which is willingness to make effort in order to attain felicity in this world and the next and to attain perfection.

The virtue of confidence is brought about by spiritual qualities of steadfastness, courage, and self-respect. Its treatment is subsidiary to that of the disease of cowardice, which is the mother of all vices in this class. Lack of the Sense of Dignity This vice consists of a lack of enough attention and failure to take care of matters which need attention and care, such as faith, honour, children, and property. This vice is caused by weakness of character and an inferiority complex.

Its opposite is the sense of honour and zeal for it, which are praiseworthy virtues in man. In regard to religion, it implies effort to keep it immune from deviations, zeal in its propagation, effort to comply with religious laws oneself, and making others follow them too. With regard to one's honour, it means safeguarding of one's self respect and effort to preserve one's honour.

With regard to one's children, it means that one must attend to their right upbringing and sound ethical and cultural development, so that they receive an early moral training, which becomes a part of their personality. Islam gives great importance to parents' duties in training and upbringing of their children. This is discussed in detail in books on tradition.