A person’s true character isn’t shown by how high they climb in life, but by how they treat others once they reach the top. Money, fame, and power can completely change a person’s lifestyle, but they should never change how we treat our family, old friends, elders, and the people who stood by us when times were tough.
There is a beautiful piece of wisdom attributed to Imam Al-Shafi‘i (may Allah have mercy on him):
“The person who wrongs himself the most is the mean-spirited one. When he rises in status, he becomes distant from his relatives, denies those he once knew, looks down on honourable people and becomes arrogant towards people of virtue.”
These words carry a timeless, deeply human lesson about success, humility, and the traps of pride. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Success Doesn’t Change You; It Reveals You
We often hear people say, “He changed after he became successful.” But in reality, success rarely changes who a person is on the inside; it simply amplifies what was already there.
When someone has very little, they tend to value every connection. But when money or a new title comes along, their social circle shifts. Suddenly, old relationships might feel a bit less important. This is exactly where so many of us lose our way.
No matter how high you fly, never forget where you started. A tree can grow incredibly tall, but it only survives because of the deep roots hidden beneath the soil. Your past, your family, and your early struggles are the very foundation of your current success.
Never Be Ashamed of Your Own People
It is truly heartbreaking to see someone become successful and suddenly feel embarrassed by their own family. Some stop visiting relatives simply because they aren’t wealthy or influential. Others distance themselves from old friends because they feel they no longer “fit” their shiny new lifestyle.
But why should success make us ashamed of the people we once loved? These are the people who know your real story. They saw your late nights, your failures, and your hardest days. If someone respected you when you had absolutely nothing, you should value them even more when you finally have everything.
The Value of True Friendship and Good Character
Another common mistake is ignoring the friends we knew before the success arrived. Suddenly, answering their calls feels like an inconvenience. But relationships shouldn’t be measured by bank balances. A true friend isn’t someone drawn to your shiny new title; they are the ones who sat with you when you had nothing to offer but your time.
Similarly, we must never look down on people just because they lack status. A person might not have a lot of money, but they could possess immense wisdom, kindness, and honourable character. Respect is earned through who you are, not what you own.
The Dangers of Arrogance
When pride takes over, we stop learning. If you become too arrogant to listen to others, you cut yourself off from growth. There will always be someone with more experience or a valuable lesson to share. A truly wise person never feels small when learning from someone else. In fact, being able to accept advice is a massive sign of inner strength.
Ultimately, the greatest loser in this situation is you. Pushing away loyal friends, ignoring family, and looking down on others might make you feel powerful for a moment, but it will leave you incredibly lonely in the long run.
Keep Life in Perspective
Nothing in this world stays the same forever. The person sitting comfortably at the top today might face struggles tomorrow. The crowds cheering for you can disappear in an instant. Because life is so unpredictable, success should make us kinder and more humble, not arrogant.
True success with dignity means:
- Never forgetting your parents after making money.
- Keeping your siblings close, regardless of your new status.
- Treating less fortunate relatives with absolute respect.
- Honouring your teachers and mentors.
- Holding onto the friends who were there during the rainy days.
Ask Yourself Honestly
It is very easy to read this and immediately think of someone else who let success go to their head. But the real growth happens when we look in the mirror. Ask yourself:
- Have I changed how I treat people since getting a better job or earning more money?
- Do I avoid certain relatives because they aren’t “useful” to my network?
- Do I still listen to others, or do I assume I know best?
The higher you rise, the gentler and more humble you should become. If you use your success to look down on others, you haven’t actually risen at all—you’ve just lost your humanity.
How do you actively make sure you stay grounded and connected to your roots as you achieve your personal goals?
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