“Know that if people are impressed with you, in reality they are impressed with the beauty of Allah’s covering of your sins.” — Ibn al-Jawzee (ra)
Allah has tested some of us with fame and it is a mighty test. I pray that Allah allows all of the people that I’ve been blessed to benefit in this world to be witnesses for me on the day of judgment and that He not shame me or raise me amongst the hypocrites who didn’t practice what they preached.
Recognize that there are scholars, mentors, and great parents that have made us who we are. Don’t devalue those great scholars because they lack fame. For surely in the sight of Allah they may occupy far higher positions. Sometimes they’re in your localities and are not appreciated UNTIL someone discovers them and they become famous. The level of fame a person has is in no way an indication of their level of scholarship.
Also don’t overpraise people but instead a simple “jazakallah khayr” is sufficient. The most blessed messages that I’ve personally received are the ones like “I started praying after this lecture…” or “made peace with my parents/spouse/children after I read this…” Those are the ones that are encouraging and motivate me in my low points to keep doing what I do. But as for the “OMG you’re so awesome” messages in person or online, they don’t do anything but harm to the lowly selves within us and though I REALLY appreciate the sincerity and love of those who say them, I’d REALLY wish they didn’t. Imbalanced praise is just as detrimental to us as imbalanced criticism.
And if I have benefitted you in any way possible the, one dua I ask you to make for me in private when no one else hears you but your Lord is: “Oh Allah, keep him sincere and upon truth, and accept his deeds on behalf of him and his family.” That’s all I ask of you.
Lastly a quote from the great worshipper, ascetic, and scholar from the Tabieen, Muhammad Ibn Waasi’ (RA):
“If sins had a smell, no one would dare sit next to me.”
أسال الله العافية
اللهم لا تؤاخذني بما يقولون ، واغفر لي مالا يعلمون, واجعلني خيراً مما يظنون
Omer Suleiman