Asalam alaykum…
WE DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT.
Yes! no man has the right to feel or be arrogant and I intends to elucidate on this and the fact that ARROGANCE, is a clear weapon of destruction.
The very first sin recorded in the history of humanity was that of Iblis. This was explicitly stated in the Qur’an as “arrogance” because Shaitan refused to abide by the command of His Lord and thereby became ungrateful.
Iblis was by his arrogance, declared enemy of human race, he was by it, expelled before God, he was by it made the overall host of people of hell fire. His sin was explicitly stated by Allah (SWT) in the Holy Qur’an as no other thing than “arrogance”.
Allah (SWT) says:
ابى و ستكبر وكان من الكا فرين…..
This verse explains the cause and effect of the grave sin of arrogance. The cause or bedrock of the sin is the refusal to acknowledge the truth and the effect is that, he consequently became the ungrateful.
Iblis actually refused to acknowledge the truth of the superiorly of Adam’s knowledge and he became disobedient and ungrateful to Allah (SWT).
The sin of arrogance was censured with fire of Jahanam in the Qur’an when Allah (SWT) says;
الذين يستكبرون عن عبادتى سيدحلون جهـنم داخلين
“Those who feels too arrogant to worship me, are doomed to enter jahanam humiliated”
The Prophet (SAW) was quoted to have said;
“Surely the arrogant, obnoxious and egoistical person are doomed to enter jahanam.”
No doubt, arrogance is typically despised by Allah (SWT) and no human being has the right to feel arrogant.
Yes, no human being has the right to feel superior to another creature and that is why the Prophet (SAW) said in one of Hadith that;
No one who has an atom’s-weight of pride in his heart will enter Paradise.
A man then asked;
O Messenger of Allah, what if a man likes his clothes and his shoes to look good?
The Prophet (SAW) said;
Allah is Beautiful and loves beauty but Pride means rejecting the truth and looking down on people
In essence, Jannah is forbidden for any person who feels himself superior and walking around with a speck of arrogance in his/her heart.
This is why it is crucial to always examine our hearts and ask whether we are being arrogant in our actions or having a sense of ‘kibr’ in our dealings with others and try to eliminate it quickly.
Let it be said and I think rightly that, wearing good clothes, looking good and dignified does not translate to arrogance. Arrogance is not to live a clean, comfortable life and enjoy the blessings of Allah. Arrogance is simply in the art of looking down on others and to reject the truth when confronted with it.
The scholars of Islam has classified arrogance into two categories of;
1) Spiritual arrogance; and
2) Worldly arrogance.
Spiritual arrogance lies in the refusal to accept the truth. When you have a position on a matter pertaining the ‘Deen’ which you think is right but was subsequently proven to be wrong and you refused to accept the truth.
This was the practical example of the arrogance displayed by Iblis who knew that Adam (AS) was worthy of prostration, he knew that he should have obeyed Allah (SWT) but, he refused to accept the truth to the very end. This refusal was the quintessential arrogance of Iblis.
This kind of arrogance is founded on knowing the truth, recognizing the truth and then rejecting it.
As a Muslim, the character of Islam lies in humility. Islam has as its bedrock, the art of accepting the truth wherever it comes from and that explain why the Prophet (SAW) said in one of his Hadith that;
‘wisdom and nugget of truth is something that should be picked by a Muslim any where it is found and that anywhere implies even from your enemies, friend or unknown authority.’
A Muslim must take the truth and thank Allah (SWT) for it.
Thus, in practical sense, if you find yourself holding a position and you refused to budge from that position and deep down inside you, you know that, you might be wrong but you refused to budge, then you must realize that, you are literally following the steps of Iblis. So, be careful and fear Allah (SWT).
The 2nd category of arrogance is to look down on others or to think that you are better than them for any reason. If you think you are better because of your race or wealth or status or position of authority or knowledge or religion, then you are just a racist, obnoxious and without a religion because, if you imbibe the true character of the religion called “Islam”, you will not have such elements of arrogance.
Never feel or look down or say to others that you are better than them. But, this does not mean approval of others’ lifestyles which are contrary to your conviction.
If someone is sinful in any way and you don’t indulge in the sin, just thank Allah ( SWT) that you don’t indulge in the sin, but never think yourself as better than him/her who is today, found in committing such sin.
That being said, it is sane to reiterate the fact that, arrogance destroys every good deeds even before the show of arrogance.
We never had a say when coming into this world and our consent shall not be sought as to when we desire to leave this world. The time for both are divinely determined by the Almighty Allah ( SWT). But yet, we behave so arrogantly, as if we are all in all, or know it all.
Why do we arrogantly traverse and trudge this earth without sparing a thought of the consequences of our arrogance.
Why are we virtually deaf to the fact that, this life is transient and fleeting.
Why are we being arrogant in a life that is so short with death being inevitable and with reckoning before Allah being a must.
Humility is a constant call of the Qur’an and the only antidote to arrogance is, humility.
Ya Allah, whatever position we may find ourselves, endow us with a humble heart that appreciates and accept the truth whenever we are confronted with one and a heart that acknowledges its nothingness before You and which continuously gives all glory to You.
May Allah always strengthen us to stand strong when tested on the level of arrogance.
May Allah grant us long life with excellent health to worships Him with humility.
I also pray for blessed prosperity and good deeds that will qualify us for a higher place in Jannatul Firdaus.
May Allah be pleased with us and include us amongst His servants to be rewarded with the best of this world and the hereafter.
