Praising over Oneself
وَ قَالَ سُفْيَانُ قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَجُوزُ أَنْ يُزَكِّي الرَّجُلُ نَفْسَهُ
And Sufyan said, ‘I said to Abu Abdullah-asws, ‘Is it allowed for the man to praise himself?’
قَالَ نَعَمْ إِذَا اضْطُرَّ إِلَيْهِ أَ مَا سَمِعْتَ قَوْلَ يُوسُفَ- اجْعَلْنِي عَلى خَزائِنِ الْأَرْضِ إِنِّي حَفِيظٌ عَلِيمٌ وَ قَوْلَ الْعَبْدِ الصَّالِحِ أَنَا لَكُمْ ناصِحٌ أَمِينٌ.
He-asws said: ‘Yes, when he is desperate to it. Have you not heard words of Yusuf-as: ‘Make me (in charge) upon the treasures of the land, I am a knowledgeable protector [12:55]?’, and the words of the righteous servant (Prophet Hudas): and I am a trustworthy adviser to you all [7:68]?’’[1]
Sufian said: I asked Abu Abd Allah-asws whether it is acceptable to praise oneself or not. He-asws answered: It is acceptable to praise oneself in cases of necessity. Joseph the Prophet-asws said: Put me in charge of the treasuries of the land. I now how to manage them (12:55) The virtuous servant (of Allah-azwj) also said: I am a trustworthy advisor for you (7:68).[2]
[1] Bihar Al-Anwaar V 75 – The book ‘Al Rawza’ – Ch 23 H 108 / 136
[2] Also in Toufa tul Aqoul