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We live in a world where pride often masquerades as confidence and self-worth.

People take pride in everything—from their appearance, wealth, and strength to their ethnicity.

Allah reminds us of our humble beginnings. We were once mere droplets, tiny clots of blood formed in the secrecy of the womb.

From such a humble state, we grow and gain strength, wealth, power, and prestige, only to return to weakness in old age.

No matter how high we rise, our journey ends the same: we leave this world with nothing but our deeds.

Consider the life of Muhammad Ali; may Allah have mercy on him.

He was a man of immense strength, a boxing legend who shook the world with his prowess.

Yet despite his physical might, he faced a battle he couldn't win—Parkinson's disease.

For over 30 years, Ali grappled with this illness.

His condition worsened over time, but what stood out was his family's unwavering support.

They treasured him, ensuring he had the best quality of life possible.

Ali's strength wasn't in his fists alone but in his humility and the love he cultivated with those around him.

In his weakest moments, it wasn't his titles or accolades that comforted him—it was the relationships he nurtured.

On the other hand, Howard Hughes was one of the wealthiest men of his time: a billionaire, a movie star, and a man who seemingly had it all.

Yet wealth couldn't save him from despair in his final days.

Isolated and consumed by paranoia, Hughes sat alone, unkempt and unwashed.

He fixated on trivialities, dictating irrational memos about cleaning and food preparation.

He distanced himself from human connection, descending into a madness his fortune couldn't prevent.

An aide, trying to console him, remarked on his incredible life.

Hughes's response was crushing: "If you had ever swapped places in life with me, you would have demanded to swap back before the first week."

Despite his billions, he lived in deep sadness and faced death with loneliness and regret.

These stories teach us that pride in anything—including our strength or wealth—is misguided.

Both Ali and Hughes reached the ends of their lives, stripped of what once defined them.

Ali found peace in humility and family, while Hughes's pride left him isolated.

So, what do we truly have to be proud of?

Our lives are fleeting; our possessions are temporary.

Allah is eternal, and it is to Him we will return.

Instead of pride, let us cultivate gratitude.

Be thankful for the life Allah has given us, for the blessings we often overlook.

We have little control over our destinies.

Pride blinds us to this reality, while humility prepares us to face it with grace.