In the Name of Allāh.
Understanding the true essence of pride is something that can only be comprehended through Allāh and His Messenger. Consider this narration: ‘Abdullāh Ibn Mas’ud reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) stated, “No one who has the weight of a seed of arrogance in his heart will enter Paradise.” When a man questioned, “But a man likes to have nice clothes and nice shoes,” the Prophet replied, “Verily, Allāh is beautiful and He loves beauty. Arrogance is to disregard the truth and to look down upon people.” [Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 91]
It is important to note that adorning oneself beautifully is not limited to men. However, a Muslim woman’s beautiful clothing and adornments should be worn under her Ḥijāb. She should only reveal them to the twelve categories of individuals mentioned by Allāh in Sūrah An-Nūr, verse 31.
It becomes evident that the malady of pride eradicates the potential for goodness, especially concerning entry into Paradise, and diminishes one’s piety. A proud individual becomes dull and resistant to understanding Islām’s teachings. This individual effectively wages war against the Message of Allāh and loses sight of its truth, often dismissing the symbols of Islām, such as wearing the Ḥijāb, keeping beards, attending I‘tikāf, etc. This perspective is fundamentally flawed. Al-Aḥnaf Ibn Qays (Raḥimahullāh) remarked: “I am astonished at the one who passed through the same passageway of urine twice; how could he ever be arrogant and haughty?” [Siyar A‘lām an-Nubalā’ 4:92]
Moreover, an arrogant individual tends to look down on others, perceiving himself as special, self-sufficient, and wholly in control of life, unaffected by anyone else. If he is not cautious, his pride may escalate to the point where he openly defies the Almighty, claiming divinity as Fir’aun did. He should reflect on the punishment that befell Fir’aun; such is the fate that awaits the arrogant. Ibn Mas’ūd (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhu) stated: “Destruction is in two: Despair (in the Mercy of Allāh) and pride.” [Az-Zawājir 1/121]
I sincerely beseech Allāh to purify our hearts from pride and to make us His genuine and humble servants. Aameen.
Picture Credit: aliveatwork
