Thursday 12 September 2013

Pride and Arrogance

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Allah swt says in the Quran(17:37)
“And do not walk upon the earth with conceit and arrogance. Indeed, you will never tear the earth [apart], and you will never reach the mountains in height.”
And at another place (31:18)
“And do not turn your cheek [in contempt] toward people and do not walk through the earth exultantly. Indeed, Allah does not like everyone self-deluded and boastful.”
The person who shows arrogance and pride is strictly disliked by Allah swt. Allah swt gives us the reason in the glorious Quran of why we should not be arrogant and proud. Because we are simple helpless creatures and we all are equal in the sight of Allah swt. Those who were proud of their wealth and status in the past were punished severely by Allah swt. An example is that of Qarun, a person in the time of Prophet Moses (A.S), who was very proud of his wealth. Allah swt says in Quran regarding him (28:76-81)
“Indeed, Qarun was from the people of Moses, but he tyrannized them. And We gave him of treasures whose keys would burden a band of strong men; thereupon his people said to him, "Do not exult. Indeed, Allah does not like the exultant…..And We caused the earth to swallow him and his home. And there was for him no “company to aid him other than Allah , nor was he of those who [could] defend themselves.”
The above ayat of the Quran simply explains that it is only Allah and the attributes of power and superiority define only him. Humans have been asked to remain humble before Allah swt as they do not possess any power.
Prophet (pbuh) said
“Allah, the Exalted says: Honour is My Izar and Pride is My Cloak. Whoever, vies with Me regarding one of them, shall be tormented”              [Muslim]
This hadith signifies that it is because of Allah’s Grace that man enjoys these qualities in restricted measure. Man should be grateful to Allah for this but if he tries to cross the limits then there is painful punishment for him.
Prophet(pbuh) said
“He who has, in his heart, an ant’s weight of arrogance will not enter Jannah” someone said “A man likes to wear beautiful clothes and shoes”? he (pbuh) replied “Allah is beautiful and He loves beauty. Arrogance means ridiculing and rejecting the truth and despising people”                               [Muslim]
This hadith signifies that not even a very small amount of pride is acceptable in the eyes of Allah swt. Plus having pride in heart has been made a characteristic of resident of the Hell.
Prophet(pbuh) said
“Shall I not inform you about the inmates of Hell? It is every violent, impertinent and proud person”                                           [Muslim]
At another place he(pbuh) said
“ there are 3(types of) people whom Allah will not speak on the Day of Judgment, nor will look at them, nor will purify them and they will have a painful punishment. These are an aged person who commits Zina, a ruler who lies and a proud poor person”                            [Muslim]
And also he (pbuh) said
“While a man was walking, dresses in clothes admiring himself, his hair combed, walking haughtily when Allah caused the earth to swallow him. Now he will continue to go down in it (as a punishment) until the Day of Judgment” [Muslim]
The above ahadith warn us from adopting a proud and arrogant attitude. Instead of having a proud attitude, we should be sensible enough to thank Allah for his favors and confess our servitude to him.
By Jahanzaib Jamshed

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