What Are the Causes of Arrogance (Kibr), and How Can It Be Avoided?

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Question

What are the causes of arrogance (kibr), and how can a believer avoid falling into it?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Merciful and Compassionate.

May Allah grant us clarity of heart and protect us from the diseases of the soul.

The Reality of Arrogance

Arrogance, or kibr, is a type of spiritual blindness. It is to see oneself as better than others, or to see oneself as beyond being held to the truth. At its core, it is an inflated sense of the self.

This inflated sense of self arises from a lack of tawhid, a lack of true consciousness of divine oneness. For this reason, arrogance is not far from disbelief. Kibr is not far from kufr.

This was the very path by which Shaytan fell, when he said, “I am better than him,” upon being commanded to prostrate to Sayyiduna Adam.

Slavehood to Allah as the Antidote

The way to avoid arrogance is to be firmly committed to one’s servitude to Allah.

Who are you? You are the utterly needy slave of Allah. You need Allah existentially, for it is Allah who created you, and it is Allah who sustains you at every moment.

This existential slavehood applies to all of creation. Allah Most High tells us that there is nothing in the heavens and the earth except that it comes to Allah in utter slavehood.

In addition to this existential reality, Allah has granted human beings moral capacity and moral responsibility. We are commanded to live as servants of Allah by believing in Him, submitting to Him, and being sincere in that submission.

Cultivating Humility

The opposite of arrogance is humility. Humility is to see oneself as nothing before the greatness of Allah. It is to realize the meaning of Allahu Akbar: that Allah is absolutely great, and nothing else possesses true greatness.

The scholars mention several ways to address arrogance.

Reflection and Remembrance

One should reflect deeply on one’s own reality and cultivate reflection on who Allah is. This reflection should be accompanied by abundant remembrance of Allah, with awareness of how these acts of remembrance connect us to our reality and Allah’s reality.

When you say Allahu Akbar, you affirm that Allah alone is great, and that includes recognizing that you are not.

When you say SubhanAllah, you affirm that Allah alone is gloriously exalted, and nothing besides Him possesses exaltedness.

When you say Alhamdulillah, you affirm that all praise belongs to Allah. You have no good quality, no strength, and no ability except that it is a gift from Allah. Any good you possess is a blessing from Him, and you owe Allah gratitude for it.

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said,

“Whoever finds good, let them praise Allah.”

The statement la ilaha illallah is a statement of self-effacement. It affirms that none is absolutely free of need except Allah, and that all are in absolute need of Him. One should bring oneself to mind as foremost among those in utter need of Allah.

Reflect on the true greatness of Allah with neediness, humility, gratitude, and joy.

Acting Upon the Sunna

One’s outcome is according to the extent of one’s humility. Therefore, make abundant remembrance of SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, la ilaha illallah, and Allahu Akbar, and commit to acting in accordance with the Sunna.

The Sunna, by its very nature, cultivates humility and servitude to Allah. Eat according to the Sunna, for it is the eating of the humble. Walk according to the Sunnah, without arrogance. Speak according to the Sunna. Listen according to the Sunna.

If you do not know the Sunna, then learn it.

Keeping Righteous Company

Keep the company of God-fearing servants of Allah. Through their company, humility is acquired, and distance from arrogance is maintained. The arrogant tend to be worldly, while the people of humility are concerned with Allah and the next life.

Allah Most High commanded His Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace):

“And patiently stick with those who call upon their Lord morning and evening, seeking His pleasure. Do not let your eyes look beyond them, desiring the luxuries of this worldly life. And do not obey those whose hearts We have made heedless of Our remembrance, who follow ˹only˺ their desires and whose state is (total) loss.” [Quran, 18:28]

May Allah facilitate for us to be among the people of humility.

And Allah is the giver of success and facilitation.
[Shaykh] Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani is a recognized specialist scholar in the Islamic sciences, having studied under leading scholars from around the world. He is the Founder and Executive Director of SeekersGuidance.

Shaykh Faraz stands as a distinguished figure in Islamic scholarship. His journey in seeking knowledge is marked by dedication and depth. He spent ten years studying under some of the most revered scholars of our times. His initial studies took place in Damascus. He then continued in Amman, Jordan.

In Damascus, he was privileged to learn from the late Shaykh Adib al-Kallas. Shaykh Adib al-Kallas was renowned as the foremost theologian of his time. Shaykh Faraz also studied under Shaykh Hassan al-Hindi in Damascus. Shaykh Hassan is recognized as one of the leading Hanafi jurists of our era.

Upon completing his studies, Shaykh Faraz returned to Canada in 2007. His return marked a new chapter in his service to the community. He founded SeekersGuidance. The organization reflects his commitment to spreading Islamic knowledge. It aims to be reliable, relevant, inspiring, and accessible. This mission addresses both online and on-the-ground needs.

Shaykh Faraz is also an accomplished author. His notable work includes “Absolute Essentials of Islam: Faith, Prayer, and the Path of Salvation According to the Hanafi School,” which was published by White Thread Press in 2004 and is a significant contribution to Islamic literature.

His influence extends beyond his immediate community. Since 2011, Shaykh Faraz has been recognized as one of the 500 most influential Muslims. This recognition comes from the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center. It underscores his impact on the global Islamic discourse.

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani’s life and work embody a profound commitment to Islamic scholarship. His teachings continue to enlighten and guide seekers of knowledge worldwide.