How to Rise in Self-Development: The Spiritual Law of Elevation

We all want to grow and develop ourselves naturally to our full potential. We want to become the best versions of ourselves, but how do we go about it in the right way—one that elevates us rather than bringing us down? When people new to self-development undertake this task from a bottom-up perspective, they might try very hard to elevate themselves, only to discover that the more they try, the more they fall. This happens because they are trying to achieve growth through the wrong means.

The Paradox of True Elevation

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said that whoever humbles himself for the sake of Allah, Allah elevates him. This is a foundational principle for bottom-up self-development.

• The Ego's Fall: The more we attempt to inflate our own ego to force self-elevation, the further we fall.
  
  
• Divine Physics: The more we humble ourselves before God, the higher He elevates us. It functions like a law of physics—just as oil mixed into water naturally and inevitably rises to the top.
  
  

Humility vs. Debasement

Being humble to God does not mean debasing ourselves before other human beings. Rather, it means submitting to God and honoring His divine principles.

In the Quran, Allah tells us that He created humans in different nations and tribes so that we might know and learn from one another, despite our varied backgrounds. The best among us are simply those who are most mindful of violating the natural principles of self-development that He sent to guide mankind.

Rising Like Oil: Taming the Ego

If it is our ego that drives us to elevate ourselves unnaturally, know that we will eventually fall. Conversely, like oil submerged in water, true spiritual substance will naturally float to the surface no matter how deep someone tries to submerge it.

If we attempt to elevate ourselves using ego-driven principles, we only hurt ourselves and grow spiritually sick. It is in our absolute best interest to tame our egos, refine our character, and try our best to improve ourselves with complete sincerity (Ikhlas).