وَ مَنۡ  یُّہِنِ اللّٰہُ  فَمَا لَہٗ  مِنۡ مُّکۡرِمٍ ؕ

Translation from Kanz al-Īmān: “And he whom Allah causes to become disgraced, there is no one to give him honour.”^[1]

It is written in Tafsīr Ṣirāṭ al-Jinān regarding this verse:

We learn that honour and fame are not acquired through lineage or inheritance; such status does not permit you to do whatever you please. A person cannot fill his book of deeds with sins, blemish his conduct through disobedience, and still expect to live a life of honour. Rather, the one who makes himself worthy of honour through his character, conduct, righteous deeds, altruism and sympathy, Allah Almighty honours him. But the one who continuously disobeys Allah Almighty will face humiliation and disgrace.^[2]

Disobedience led to humiliation

Sayyidunā Jubayr bin Nufayr رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه states:

When the Muslims conquered Qubrus, I saw Sayyidunā Abū Dardāˈ رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ crying alone. I went to him and said, “O honourable one! Allah Almighty granted the Muslims victory over the disbelievers today (i.e. it is a day of joy). Why are you crying?”

Sayyidunā Abū Dardāˈ رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ answered, “O Jubayr! Ponder how dishonourable the one who disobeys Allah Almighty becomes. The people of Qubrus were honourable people. However, they disregarded the commands of Allah Almighty, disobeyed Him,