that this must be a sign of self-aggrandizement and haughtiness. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, made it clear that it was not so. He said, “Allah is Beautiful and loves beauty.” Allah—majestic is He—is beautiful in His very essence, in His acts, and in His attributes, and He loves beauty; that is, He loves a servant to adorn himself. The more presentable a person appears, the more beloved that is to Allah, provided that such adornment is within his means. In other words, a poor man should not burden himself with expensive clothes or shoes; but if Allah has blessed someone with wealth and he beautifies himself, then Allah loves to see the effect of His favour upon His servant.
The same meaning is borne out by the hadith of Jundub ibn ʿAbd Allah (may Allah be pleased with him). The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, related that a man once declared, “By Allah, Allah will never forgive so-and-so.” This man was a devout worshipper, impressed with his own deeds, and he despised his brother, whom he judged to be negligent. He swore that Allah would never forgive him. Thereupon Allah, exalted is He, said, “Who is this who dares to swear by Me that I will not forgive so-and-so?”—meaning, who is it that presumes to swear an oath against Me that I will not forgive someone, when all bounty is in My hand and I bestow it upon whom I will?—“I have indeed forgiven him, and I have nullified your deeds.”
We seek refuge in Allah! One sentence ruined his worldly life and his Hereafter, for he uttered it while admiring himself and belittling his brother, and he swore that Allah would not forgive him. Yet Allah forgave the other man, either because his sins did not amount to idolatry or because Allah blessed him with repentance. As for the first, his deeds were voided because he was self-admiring—may Allah protect us!—and he presumed upon his Lord, swearing that He would not forgive so-and-so. Allah possesses absolute sovereignty; no one may impose an oath upon Him. Still, when a person thinks well of his Lord and swears concerning a matter that involves no injustice toward others, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Many a dishevelled, dust-covered man, driven away from doors—were he to swear by Allah, Allah would surely grant it.” Allah alone grants success.