(72) Chapter: Condemnation of Pride and Self-Conceit

Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "There was a dispute between Hell and Jannah, and Hell said: 'The haughty and proud are in me.' The Jannah said: 'In me are the weak and the humble.' Thereupon Allah, the Exalted, judged between them saying: 'You the Jannah are My Mercy, and through you I shall show mercy to those whom I wish.' (And addressing the Hell) He said: 'You are My punishment to punish whom I wish amongst My slaves, and each one of you will have its fill."' [Muslim]. Commentary: This Hadith warns us against haughtiness and pride and urges us to observe modesty and humility. Jannah and Hell - two otherworldly phenomena - have been called as the manifestations of Allah's Mercy and punishment. True, only the Will of Allah prevails everywhere but the decision to send a man either to Jannah or to Hell will not be taken capriciously. Rather set Divine rules will be working behind it. Allah, will place some people in Jannah due to their good deeds; similarly he will place some people in Hell due to their bad deeds. Allah does not wrong anyone.