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

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Allah, the Exalted, says: 'Honour is My Izar and Pride is My Cloak. Whoever vies with Me regarding one of them, shall be tormented."'

[Muslim].

Commentary: According to this Hadith, power and superiority (honour), greatness and grandeur are Divine attributes alone. If anybody tries to invest himself with these attributes or claims them, it means that he is audacious enough to claim godhood. Allah says that it is the result of His sheer Grace to a man if he enjoys these qualities in a restricted measure, and he is supposed to be obedient and grateful to Him for that. In no manner does it behave him to trumpet his own grandeur and greatness. If someone out-steps his limits in this regard, he will get himself into Hell. The Hadith is a signal of warning to men that they must not boast of their power and behave arrogantly towards their fellow-humans.