Question:
We have been married for 14 years and do not own a home. We have been saving through a chit fund and are about to buy land and build a house. My husband was telling his family how he plans to build the house, including removing old fixtures and installing new ones. My husband’s sister told me that this is praise-seeking (showing off) and that praise belongs only to Allahﷻ. What is the Islamic ruling on this?
Answer:
The Prophetﷺ said that the one who has an atom’s weight of pride in his heart will not enter Paradise. The Companions asked, “O Messenger of Allahﷻ, a man likes his clothes to look good and his shoes to look good. Is that pride?” The Prophetﷺ replied that pride is rejecting the truth and looking down on others.
If the husband is saying these things to belittle others or to show off, then it is pride. But if he is simply expressing his future plans, his hopes, and his trust in Allahﷻ to provide a home, then it is not pride. He is saying “InshaAllahﷻ” and planning for the future. He might be doing so to correct any misconception that his family has nothing. He is not claiming to have already achieved greatness. He is talking about future intentions. This is not considered pride.
If after acquiring the house, he starts comparing it to others’ homes and looking down on them, then that would be pride. Simply stating a hope for the future is not.
There is also the concept of speaking about Allahﷻ’s blessings. Prophetﷺ Sulaiman said, “This is from the bounty of my Lord” (Qur’an 27:40) when he saw the throne of Bilqis brought to him in the blink of an eye. He was not showing off; he was acknowledging Allahﷻ’s favor.
If a person speaks about their plans or blessings with the intention of thanking Allahﷻ and acknowledging His grace, it is not pride. If the intention is to look down on others, it is pride. The intention is what matters, and it is known to Allahﷻ and the individual himself.