reading time ~8 min
- Introduction
- The Matthew Effect
- What has one ‘made’ exactly
- The hard working loser
- The worthy inheritor
- One Individual against all odds
- Islamic perspective
- Additional Reading
Introduction
Many times I have heard people brag about so and so being a self made person. It is almost an attempt to disqualify anyone who is born into wealth or luxury even though they did not choose this themselves
I always found a strange sense of unhealthy pride related to this term
On the surface it sounds very romantic. A person with poor means, an underdog, works hard and gains success with his efforts. Without a lot of support. The original idea came from Henry Clay but did he mean what we understand from the term today and does the idea still hold its weight?
The Matthew Effect
The Matthew Effect refers to a pattern in which those who begin with advantage accumulate more advantage over time and those who begin with disadvantage become more disadvantaged over time (Dannefer, 1987; O’Rand, 1996). The result is ever-widening differences between the advantaged and disadvantaged.
For whosoever has, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever has not, from him shall be taken away even what he has.
Mathew 13:12
I cannot deny the validity of the Matthew Effect, and I understand that the idea of ‘self made’ tends to defy it in some cases initially. It is probably one of the reasons why this idea of ‘self made’ has become so popular. The problem is, once people reach a certain level of power or status, it is very easy to use the ‘self made’ excuse to keep building your own fortunes without caring about the wellbeing of others under the guise of self made
As mentioned earlier, the concept seems to make sense in some examples, but generally raises too many questions and takes too many assumptions. Let’s look at some of these things
What has one ‘made’ exactly
The first problem is what exactly does the term ‘made’ mean. How do you define success or the point where one has to reach to be able to say, yes I am ‘made’ now. What exactly is that achievement? Is it a certain amount of wealth? Is it family? Is it fame? Is it a big house and a business? What accomplishments are necessary? The term is too loosely defined
For me a person who makes a positive impact on society is successful and has made a difference regardless of how much wealth, beauty or fame he has. In fact some people may have done great service but would not even be considered ‘made’ by many in society
The hard working loser
Think of those who have knowledge, work hard and are courageous. Regardless of all their efforts, external circumstances block them from achieving worldly success. Why are they worth any less praise than the self made person?
The worthy inheritor
Think of the other example. A person who is born into royalty, comfort or wealth. He did not choose this. But as he is growing up, he has discipline, he works hard, he makes a positive impact on society. In fact he exhausted a lot of will power to ignore the comforts and pleasures of laziness and hedonism to pursue higher goals. Is he worth any less praise than the self made person? I would probably praise him more, he worked hard despite all the pleasures and ease surrounding him
One Individual against all odds
There are so many variables which play a role in bringing success. The support from the government, luck & timing (right place, right time), knowing the right people, family ties, access to information, etc. There are too many external factors that play a key role in a person’s life, that it is unfair to say that anyone is really self made (despite the external conditions).
No single individual is able to overcome all external obstacles and attain success by himself. This is a myth and an unrealistic goal. It is unfair to brag about your own efforts, when clearly you did not do this all by yourself. No one can!
The real challenge that humanity faces today is how the wealth inequality continues to grow, and what can we do about it. The concept of ‘self made’ should not be used to justify wealth inequality. To assume that the rich only became rich by working hard, while the poor must be lazy and deserve to be poor due to their own choices is wrong. The reality is much more complex than this
Islamic perspective
Story of Qarun
There is a man by the name of Qarun. He was a very wealthy man in the time of Israelites (bani Israel). He was asked by his believing brothers to not be arrogant and not only focus on Worldly life but seek the hereafter as well. Seeking the hereafter requires one to do good deeds, be charitable and think of the well being of others as well. He replied, “I have been granted all this because of some knowledge I have.” (Quran 28:76-78). He was kind of claiming to be a self made man. The word can be easily misunderstood or misused by someone
No associating good to yourself
Allah says in the Quran “do not assert your own goodness” (Quran 53:32) As believers we never associate good to ourselves. We only associate good to Allah and act with humility
No associating outcomes to yourself
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Let not one of you say: I have grown crops. Rather, let him say: I have sown crops.” Abu Huraira said, “Have you not heard the saying of Allah Almighty: Do you not see what you have sown? Are you the growers or is it We who have grown them?” (Quran 56:63-64)
Ṣaḥīḥ Ibn Ḥibbān 5723 Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Al-Arna’ut
We are required to be courageous. To act despite fear. To gain knowledge. To make an effort and work hard. But the outcome totally and fully belongs in the power of Allah. There are so many factors which play a role in success, that go beyond our faculties and capabilities. Therefore we never feel comfortable saying I am a self made person
All my positive accomplishments are made by Allah and all my faults are self made
Reinspyre 