Hawzah News Agency | Amir al-Mu’minin Imam Ali, peace be upon him, says in Nahj al-Balagha:

«الْإِعْجَابُ یَمْنَعُ الِازْدِیَادَ [مِنَ الِازْدِیَادِ].»

"Self-admiration is a major obstacle to (spiritual) progress." (Wisdom no. 38)

Explanation:

Human beings are naturally inclined toward progress and superiority. At the same time, the true meaning of perfection, superiority, and progress must also be made clear to us, so that we do not take the wrong path in our pursuit of them.

For this very reason, Almighty God says in the Holy Qur’an:

«إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَیْهِ رَاجِعُونَ.»

“Indeed we belong to Allah and to Him do we indeed return.” (Baqarah; 2:156)

According to this illuminating statement, perfection and spiritual progress mean drawing closer to God and reaching Him. Progress means moving along the path toward God and ultimately reaching Him. Otherwise, even if we attain the highest worldly ranks and positions, no true progress or perfection has been achieved.

Since every path has its own pitfalls, one of the dangers on the path toward progress and perfection is self-conceit and self-admiration. The importance of this matter is such that Imam Ali, peace be upon him, in another profound saying, states:

«سَیِّئَةٌ تَسُوءُکَ، خَیْرٌ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ مِنْ حَسَنَةٍ تُعْجِبُکَ‏.»

“A bad deed that causes you distress and remorse is better, in the sight of God, than a good deed that makes you arrogant and self-conceited.” (Wisdom no. 167)

Therefore, in the pursuit of perfection, progress, and the spiritual journey toward God, repenting of one’s sin, acknowledging it, and humbling the self can be more effective than performing a good deed that makes one a captive of the ego. For a person who is imprisoned and bound can never take flight.

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