the time come for the hearts of those who believe to be humbled at the remembrance of Allah and the truth that has been revealed, and not to be like those who were given the Scripture before, whose hearts hardened as time passed? And many of them are defiantly disobedient.”
Reverent humility encompasses two meanings: first, humility and submissiveness; second, stillness and tranquillity. This necessarily entails a softness of heart that is incompatible with hardness. Thus, the heart’s reverent humility encompasses both its servitude to Allah and its tranquillity. Accordingly, reverent humility in prayer includes both humility and stillness.
Regarding His words:
“Those who are reverently humble in their prayers,”
Ibn ‘Abbās said: “Submissive and lowly.” Al-Hasan and Qatādah said: “Fearful.” Muqātil said: “Humble.” It is reported from ‘Alī: “Reverent humility is in the heart, and means being gentle toward a fellow Muslim and not turning to the right or left.” Mujāhid said: “Lowering the gaze and humbling oneself.” When a man of knowledge stood to pray, his awe of the Most Merciful kept his gaze from wandering and his mind from dwelling on worldly affairs.
It is reported from ‘Amr ibn Dīnār: “Reverent humility is not bowing and prostrating; rather, it is stillness and a love of maintaining a proper bearing in prayer.”
It is reported from Ibn Sīrīn and others:
“The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and his Companions used to raise their eyes toward the sky during prayer and look to the right and left, until these verses were revealed: ‘Successful indeed are the believers, those who are reverently humble in their prayers.’ Thereafter, they directed their gaze toward the place where they prostrated, and none of them was subsequently seen looking anywhere but at the ground.”
It is reported from ‘Atā’: “It means not fidgeting with any part of your body while praying.”
The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, saw a man playing with his beard during prayer and said: “Had there been humility in