Chapter IX: Evils of Pride and Vanity
who thinks himself modest for pleasure of God, there is honour
for him. There is progress for one who is modest for pleasure of
God. There is safety for one who fears the Almighty God. There is
gain for him who sells himself for God. The sage Abu Ali Jayad
said: Nature is filled up with pride, greed and envy. God
deprives one of modesty, admonition and contentment whom
He wishes to destroy. God gives those qualities to one for whom
He wishes good. The sage Junaid said that the Prophet said: The
worst men will be leaders in latter days. Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq
said: We have found honour in God fear, contentment in firm
faith and pedigree in modesty. We pray for God's mercy.
WHAT IS PRIDE 7
Pride is of two kinds, open and secret. Secret pride is the name of feeling of a superiority. When it is expressed in actions, it is called open pride. Feeling of superiority in mind is called self conceit (kibr). When it is expressed in actions, it is called pride (Takabbar). So self-conceit is the root of pride. Self-conceit is self -contentment in thinking that one is superior to others. There are three elements in it - (1) one who is proud, (2) one on whom it is shown, (3) and the object for which it is felt. Self-praise (Uzab)
has got only one element, namely the persons who takes pride, while self-conceit has got these three elements. Appreciation of one's own quality is not by itself self-conceit but with its appreciation if he believes it firmly, feels joy for it and thinks himself superior to others, it is to be understood that there are elements of self-conceit in him. For this reason, the Prophet said:
I seek refuge to Thee from the breath of the proud. Hazrat Omar said to that person who sought his permission to deliver lecture: I fear for you blow of pride. This feeling of superiority is called self-conceit. Hazrat Ibn Abbas explained it by saying that it is a feeling of superiority over others. If it is expressed in words or behaviour, it is called takabbar or pride which is the outward expression of self- conceit.
HARMS OF PRIDE: The Prophet said: He who has a atom of pride in him will not enter Paradise. A proud man cannot love for
Vol-III Pride and self-praise 255
others what he loves for himself as there is pride in him. He cannot give up hatred as there is pride in him. He cannot stand on truth as there is pride in him. He cannot control anger as he has got pride in him. He cannot accept admonitions as there is pride in him. He is not safe from the accusations of the people as there is pride in him. The worst thing in self-conceit is to receive no benefit from learning, not to recognize truth and not to follow it.
God says: Enter the door of Hell and live therein. How bad is the place of the proud - 37 : 72 Q.