The concept of desiring fame

Ameer Ahl-us-Sunnah Allamah Maulana Muhammad Ilyas Attar Qadiri دَامَـتْ بَـرَكَـاتُـهُـمُ الْـعَـالِـيَـهْ states that desiring fame refers to wanting renown and respect. (Nayki ki Dawat, p. 87)

In criticising the desire for fame, Hujja-tul-Islam Imam Ghazali رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه said: ‘The purpose of gaining popularity is to instil a status for yourself in people’s eyes. This desire is the root of every trouble.’ ((Ihya’-ul-‘Uloom, vol. 3, p. 34) To protect yourself from desiring fame, one should reflect upon the Quranic verses and Hadiths that highlight its harm:

Verse 83 of Surah al-Qasas states:

تِلْكَ الدَّارُ الْاٰخِرَةُ نَجْعَلُهَا لِلَّذِیْنَ لَا یُرِیْدُوْنَ عُلُوًّا فِی الْاَرْضِ وَ لَا فَسَادًاؕ-

This abode of the Hereafter, We make it for those who do not seek arrogance in the land nor disorder;

[Kanz-ul-Iman (translation of Quran)] (Part 20, Surah Al-Qasas, verse 83)

This verse alludes to how the Hereafter is for those who do not aim for fame or corruption.

Furthermore, verses 15 and 16 of Surah Hood state:

مَنْ كَانَ یُرِیْدُ الْحَیٰوةَ الدُّنْیَا وَ زِیْنَتَهَا نُوَفِّ اِلَیْهِمْ اَعْمَالَهُمْ فِیْهَا وَ هُمْ فِیْهَا لَا یُبْخَسُوْنَ(۱۵) اُولٰٓىٕكَ الَّذِیْنَ لَیْسَ لَهُمْ فِی الْاٰخِرَةِ اِلَّا النَّارُ ﳲ وَ حَبِطَ مَا صَنَعُوْا فِیْهَا وَ بٰطِلٌ مَّا كَانُوْا یَعْمَلُوْنَ(۱۶)