‘ARROGANT? Who, me?! Never. I’m a Muslim.’

Any Muslim who has studied Qur’an and Sunnah in depth and detail would strive to stay away from one of the most disliked vices: Arrogance. Be it vanity, conceit, standoffishness, haughtiness, acting holier-than-thou, or “high-and-mighty” – they are careful of being tainted by any color from the spectrum of arrogance or Kibr. These negative personality traits were present in those on whom Allah’s wrath descended in the past, and about whom the followers of Islam have been duly warned in the Qur’an and Sunnah.

The crux of the matter is: how do we check ourselves in practical life if we are becoming arrogant or not? What actions, qualities or behavior constitutes the hallmarks of “arrogance”? It is so much easier to nod our heads in unison when listening to warnings targeted at arrogant individuals at a lecture, than to actually purge ourselves from traces of arrogance within our own behavior; in our social interactions; in our dealings with family members; in our very intimate thoughts and feelings. What can we do to hold up a magnifying glass to our own face, in order to pick out the microscopic, self-emulating zits that are missed by that first cursory glance at our personalities?

Rejecting Islam
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “No one who has an atom’s-weight of arrogance in his heart will enter Paradise.”

A man said, “O Messenger of Allah, what if a man likes his clothes and his shoes to look good?”

He said, “Allah is beautiful and He loves beauty. Arrogance means rejecting the truth and looking down on people.” (Sahih Muslim)

Rejecting any part of the Qur’an or Prophetic narrations silently (i.e. not saying anything outwardly, but obstinately refusing to obey Allah’s commands over time) or by open antagonism – verbally declaring Kufr and rejection – is indicative of arrogance. Pharaoh, who is repeatedly quoted in the Qur’an for his arrogance, said: “O my people! Is not mine the dominion of Egypt, and these rivers flowing underneath me. See you not then? Am I not better than this one (Moses), who is Mahin (i.e. has no honor nor any respect, and is weak and despicable) and can scarcely express himself clearly?” (Qur’an, 43:51-52)

O chiefs! I know not that you have an ilah (a god) other than me…” (Qur’an, 28:38)

I am your lord, most high.” (Qur’an, 79:24)