Assalaam Alaekum wa Rrahmatullah wa Barakatuh

THE DANGERS OF PRIDE

In Islam, Pride, known as 'kibr' in Arabic, is considered one of the significant sins because it can lead to various negative outcomes both spiritually and socially.

Pride can corrupt one's faith and lead to arrogance which is directly opposed to the humility that Islam teaches.

Below are some of the dangers of pride in Islam:

1. **Opposition to divine wisdom**: Pride can result in questioning or rejecting Allah's commands, leading to disbelief or disobedience.

2. **Erosion of character**: It can make a person haughty and arrogant, blind to their own faults while amplifying others' shortcomings.

3. **Barrier to Paradise**: The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "No one who has an atom’s-weight of pride in his heart will enter Paradise." This hadith illustrates how even a small amount of pride can be a barrier to entering Jannah (Paradise).

4. **Prevents knowledge**: An individual filled with pride may not seek or accept knowledge as they may believe they already know enough or consider themselves too big to ask questions

5. **Interpersonal conflict**: Pride can lead to looking down on others and treating them unjustly, resulting in social discord and broken relationships.

6. **Following Iblis’s footsteps**: In Islamic teachings, Iblis (Satan) was cast out of Paradise due to his pride and refusal to bow to Adam when commanded by Allah. Hence, pride is seen as following in the footsteps of Iblis.

7. **Blockage of blessings**: A proud person may be deprived of the blessings and mercy from Allah, as they may not attribute their successes to Allah's favors.

8. **Repulsion by people**: Society tends to repel arrogant individuals, causing them to be isolated and without support.

9. **Divine retribution**: In the Quran and Hadith, there are numerous warnings that those who are arrogant and proud will face a severe reckoning on the Day of Judgment.

10. **Impediment to repentance**: A proud person may not see the need to repent or may think they are above seeking forgiveness, which is a critical component of a Muslim’s faith journey.

Countering pride involves consciously cultivating humility, recognizing one's limitations, seeking forgiveness, and acknowledging that all people are equal before Allah. The regular remembrance of Allah and the reality of one's own mortality can help in this regard. Giving charity, serving others, and learning from those who are knowledgeable are also practical ways to combat pride.

Muslims are continually encouraged to examine their intentions and actions, ensuring that they align with the Islamic values of humility and modesty, and to seek refuge from the whispers of Satan that can lead to arrogance and pride.

May Almighty Allah sustain your honour and uplift your dignity; Answer your prayers, Bless your home, Forgive your sins, Purify your heart and Grant you and your family unlimited mercy and endless favour in this world and the hereafter.

Aameen.

Jummah Mubarak and happy weekend