It is said that so-and-so is a self-made man.

Islamic Stories

It is said that so-and-so is a self-made man. This means that he rose to greatness through his own efforts, relying on himself to elevate his status or accumulate his wealth without anyone’s help.

When someone says, “He built himself without inheriting wealth from his father or ancestors,” the general public remarks, “He is the man who made himself.”

Many people know this information, but do you know why the term “self-made” (isamī) was used?

In ancient times, around 580 CE, there was a king named al-Nu’man ibn al-Mundhir. This king had a doorkeeper named Isam ibn Shahbar. Isam was a clever and diligent man who educated himself, eventually gaining the trust of King al-Nu’man, who relied on him, sought his counsel, and valued his opinion. Through his own efforts, Isam rose to become one of the most important figures in the royal court, attaining a high status and considerable wealth, all achieved through his own hard work without relying on family connections, lineage, or inherited riches.

Isam became widely known, and people began using him as an example of diligence and self-reliance, since he reached the highest ranks through his own merits. Consequently, anyone who achieved similar success through their own efforts was described as “isamī,” in reference to Isam ibn Shahbar, the doorkeeper of al-Nu’man.

Isam became a topic of conversation, admired and respected by all.

Even the great poet al-Nabigha al-Dhubyani composed verses about him:

“The soul of Isam blackened a staff,

And taught him to advance and press forward,

And made him a valiant king,

So he rose above and surpassed his people.”

Imam and Preacher