Hatim Sanamak wa Kun Inda Nafsika Saghiran
- Author died
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- Editions
- Mu'assasat Iqra' lil-Nashr wal-Tawzi' wal-Tarjamah
Hatim Sanamak wa Kun Inda Nafsika Saghiran ("Smash Your Idol and Be Small in Your Own Eyes") is a single-volume Islamic spiritual treatise by Magdi al-Hilali, published in 1424 AH / 2004 CE by Mu'assasat Iqra' li-l-Nashr wa-l-Tawzi' wa-l-Tarjamah . The work addresses spiritual purification (tazkiyat al-nafs), focusing on diagnosing and treating the spiritual affliction of self-admiration (al-ujb), ego-inflation (tadakhkhum al-dhat), and hidden polytheism (al-shirk al-khafi) .
Purpose and Scope
The author frames the book as an urgent warning directed toward various segments of the Muslim community, including scholars, preachers, worshippers, students of knowledge, writers, successful individuals, and believers at large . Drawing upon prophetic traditions and statements of early figures such as Abu Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrah and Utbah ibn Ghazwan, the author warns that self-admiration is a destructive trait (muhlikah) that insidiously invalidates righteous deeds and cultivates an "internal idol" where a person exalts oneself rather than attributing grace to God alone .
Structure and Contents
The book is structured into two main parts (abwab), each divided into a preamble and multiple thematic chapters:
- Part One: Are There Idols Inside Us?! (Hal bi-Dakhilina Asnam?!): Opens with a preamble emphasizing human absolute dependency on God, followed by four chapters covering hidden polytheism, the causes of ego-inflation, the manifestations of self-admiration, and the severe spiritual dangers of al-ujb, such as divine wrath, the nullification of good deeds, and arrogance . Identified causes of ego-inflation include ignorance of God, ignorance of human weakness, neglect of self-purification, frequent worldly success, excessive praise, authority, lack of frank advisors, upbringing, and fame .
- Part Two: How Do We Remove Our Idols? (Kayfa Nuzilu Asnamana?): Begins with a preamble on the necessity of dismantling self-magnification as a condition for receiving divine assistance, followed by eight chapters outlining remedies . These treatments include seeking healing from God, deepening knowledge of God's majesty, recognizing human vulnerability and the flawed nature of the soul, actively practicing humility, closing off avenues that feed pride—such as sudden blessings, praise, leadership, and public fame—treatment through the Quran, mutual spiritual mentoring (al-ta'ahud wa-l-tarbiyah), and dispelling common misconceptions .
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