Pride and Arrogance

Pride and Arrogance

The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) used to tell
his companions: “Don’t exaggerate in praising me, as Christians
exceeded the limits in praising the Messiah son of Mary, for I am the slave and
Messenger of Allah.” He also used to declare: “Whoever humbles himself to
Allah, Allah will raise him (in respect) and He will not enter Paradise who has in his heart an atom’s weight of
arrogance.”



Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) said: “You will not
enter Paradise until you have faith, and you
will not have faith until you love each other. Shall I direct you to something
which if you fulfill you will love one another? Spread peace among yourselves.
(It was reported by Muslim).



To avoid harming other Muslims by words or actions. As a matter of fact
Islam forbids vain or evil talk. The Quran says: “Those who turn
away from vain talk.” (3-23) The Messenger of Allah (P.B.U.H.) said: “The
Muslim is he from whom people are safe from his tongue and hand (actions).

One day, Aisha, the Prophet’s wife heard some Jews in Medina offending the Prophet by greeting him
with the wish that poison would strike him. Getting angry at their offence she
retorted: “And upon you be poison and curse O you children of
apes and swine.” Hearing this the Prophet pacified her saying: “You should have
said only, same be upon

you also.” For the Muslim, he added is not an offender, nor a
curser nor a mischief monger nor one who uses dirty language.



To turn deaf ears to other people’s slandering of your brothers or
sisters. This means the elimination of backbiting and slandering in the Muslim
society. That is why the Messenger (P.B.U.H.) once passed by two graves. He
stood in front of them and said:

“They (the dead ones) are punished due to minor sins.” One of them used to
spread calumny and slander among people. Thus Muslims are reminded that: “He
who slanders others in front of you will eventually slander you."

The biggest sin Iblis committed was not his
disobedience to bow in front of Adam (as), but his arrogance which has kept him from
doing so. Arrogance is filthy, and what is even worse than that? The inability
to perform tawbah to Allah swt. Why? Because you don't want to admit that you
are indeed wrong, and your ego had kept you from doing what is right!



When prophet 'Isa (as) negotiated with Iblis - to get him back into Paradise
and save humankind from the corruptions and evils of Shaytan, he asked Allah
swt. what is Iblis to do? Allah swt. said He will accept Iblis back into Paradise only under one condition - having Iblis admit
that he was wrong. 'Isa (as) happily asked " Is that it?" Thinking it
were so easy, and Allah swt. answered "that's it!" So 'Isa (as) went
very happy, to Iblis and told him that he could re-enter Paradise.
Iblis was extremely relieved, but upon hearing the condition, Iblis angrily
refused, and allowed his ego to secure him a place in Jahannam!



So is the filth of arrogance that is permeating our ummah today. Scholars who
used to mop floors in humility during our prophets time, today want to be
praised to the skies. Political leaders who would die for the ummah in the
prophet's (pbuh) time, would rather have the ummah die for their individual
selves today. It's wrong to make a fellow Muslim feel belittled or denigrated.
And it happens far too often now a days.



Keep in mind that the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said for a Muslim to be hurt by
another Muslim is a bigger sin to Allah, than someone demolishing the Holy
Ka'ba!



So before you go to bed tonight, or as you rise for another day tomorrow - wipe
the slate clean - humble yourselves. Remember to call someone dear, and let
them know how special they are, or call someone you have not in so long and
clear the misunderstandings you have harbored for all this time.