Explanation of Riyadh Saliheen: Chapter on Humility & Lowering One's Wing To The Believes

An-Nawawi (May Allah have mercy upon him) said in the book Riyadh As-Saliheen, in the chapter “Humility and lowering one's wing to the believers”: Humility is the opposite of self-exaltation. Humility is that one does not elevate or exalt himself over others by way of his knowledge, lineage, wealth, status, leadership, governorship, and so on. Rather, it is obligatory to lower one's wing to the believers. He should exhibit kindness to them just as the most honorable of creation and lofty amongst them before Allaah, the Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), used to exhibit kindness to the believers, to the point that a young girl would grab him by the hand and take him wherever she wanted and he would fulfill her need for her.

Allah the Sublime says, “And be kind and humble to the believers.” [Surah al-Hijr 15:88]And in another verse Allaah says, “the believers who follow you.” [Surah ash-Shu’araa 26:215] “… and lower your wing” Meaning be humble. The arrogant and haughty person thinks of himself as a bird soaring in the air. So he is commanded to lower his wing and come down to the believers who follow the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). It is known that one is not to lower one's wing to the disbeliever. Rather, one is to be elevated above the disbeliever and exalted above him, placing himself in a position above him. Cling to the Statement of Allaah (At-Tawheed), and the Statement of Allaah is superior. Allaah said in his description of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and his companions, “They are severe against disbelievers, and merciful among themselves,” [Surah al-Fath 48:29]