Is the desire for academic and professional excellence (first in the university, prestigious positions) through lawful means considered "seeking to exalt oneself in the earth" as mentioned in the verse: "That home of the Hereafter We assign to those who do not desire exaltation in the earth or corruption. And the [best] outcome is for the righteous"? And does this contradict the saying of Imam Al-Hasan Al-Basri: "The believer in this world is like a stranger, neither competing for its glory nor despairing over its humiliation"?

There is no harm in desiring excellence if its aim is not pride, arrogance, or love of fame, especially if it is for the service of religion and society. However, the love of excellence merely for the sake of asserting superiority over others is reprehensible, because a servant is required to be humble; as the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Indeed, Allah has revealed to me that you should be humble so that no one boasts over another and no one oppresses another." Ibn al-Qayyim explained that the celestial, sublime soul tends towards knowledge and virtues, the bestial, wrathful soul tends towards dominance and oppression, and the animalistic, lustful soul tends towards food, drink, and sexual relations.