The self-sufficient (al-ghani) is the one who has no need of people: Allah—glorified be He—suffices him above all others. He asks nothing of them, nor does he humble himself before them; rather, he is independent of creation, aware of his own worth, relying on his Lord alone and turning to no one else.

The inconspicuous (al-khafī) is the person who does not make himself prominent. He cares nothing for being noticed, pointed at, or talked about. You will find him moving quietly from his house to the mosque and back, and from his home to visit his relatives and brothers—hidden, keeping himself out of sight.

This, however, does not mean that when Allah grants someone knowledge he should shut himself in and withhold it from others; that would contradict true piety. Teaching people is far better than sitting at home and depriving them of the benefit of his knowledge, or remaining indoors and denying them the benefit of his wealth.

Yet when the choice is merely between polishing and publicizing himself or remaining hidden, he chooses obscurity. If circumstances require him to step forward, then he must do so. Such a person is loved by Allah. The report therefore urges a servant to stay inconspicuous, to be independent of everyone but Allah, and to remain devout to his Lord so that he may worship Allah in well-being and safety.

4/600 – Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said, “Allah has not sent a single prophet except that he tended sheep.” They asked, “Even you?” He replied, “Yes; I used to herd them for the people of Mecca for a few qirāṭs.” Narrated by al-Bukhārī.