Types of pride

Imam Muhammad Ghazali رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه states: There are three types of pride:

1.   That pride which is shown towards Allah Almighty, like the pride of Satan, Nimrod and Fir’awn, or the pride of such individuals who claim divinity and turn their faces away from the bondsmen of Allah Almighty out of hatred.

2.   That type of pride which is shown towards the Messenger of Allah Almighty, just as the disbelievers of Makkah did when they said, ‘We shall not obey a human like you. Why did Allah Almighty not send an angel or leader in order to guide us; you are an orphan.’

3.   That pride which is displayed towards a common person, for example, looking at them with disdain, not accepting the truth and considering yourself to be better and greater. (Kimiya-e-Sa’adat, pp. 707,708)

The ruling on the three types of pride

Displaying pride towards Allah Almighty and His Messenger صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم is Kufr, whereas, showing pride towards common people is not Kufr, but it is a major sin. May Allah Almighty protect us from the calamity of pride and its destructions.

اٰمِيۡن بِجَاهِ النَّبِيِّ الۡاَمِيۡن صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيۡهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب                                 صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

Dear Islamic brothers! A terrible consequence has been mentioned in the Quran for those who have pride, hence, it is stated in part 9, Surah Al-A’raf, verse 146:

سَاَصْرِفُ عَنْ اٰیٰتِیَ الَّذِیْنَ یَتَكَبَّرُوْنَ فِی الْاَرْضِ بِغَیْرِ الْحَقِّؕ-

‘And I shall turn those people away from My verses who undeservedly wish greatness for themselves on the earth;

[Kanz-ul-Iman (translation of Quran)] (Part 9, Surah Al-A’raf, verse 146)