Pride a Great Sin

Abdullah ibn Mas’ud relates that the Holy Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) said: “One who has an iota of pride in his heart will not be able to enter the Paradise.” One of the Companions said: “O Messenger of Allah! Some persons like nice clothes and shoes.” The Holy Messenger said: “Allah is Elegant and Beautiful, and He likes elegance and beauty. Pride means rejecting the truth out of haughtiness and considering others as low.”

(Sahih Muslim)

The Holy Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) has warned the believers against the ill consequences of pride. He says that a person who has even an iota of pride will not be able to enter the Paradise.

A believer submits his all to Allah. Therefore in his entire life he would act in a modest way. A true believer knows it full well that he is being watched by the Creator, and that he cannot achieve any success unless Allah sanctions it. When all power rests with Allah, there is no room for pride, arrogance or self-conceit. Humbleness and subservience to Allah’s Will should discipline our life.

As for human desire to adorn oneself in a decent manner, the Blessed Messenger clarifies that it does not amount to pride, for Allah is the source of all elegance and beauty and He likes it for His slaves as well. Then what actually constitutes pride? The Blessed Messenger explains that it lies in rejecting truth when one comes across it and in considering others to be inferiors.