What Are the Signs of Arrogance and How Can It Be Prevented?
Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Question
What are the signs of arrogance, and how can one prevent it from entering the heart?
Answer
In the Name of Allah Most Merciful and Compassionate.
The Reality of Arrogance
Arrogance, or kibr, is to have a high sense of self and to look down on others. The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) warned severely against pride and arrogance, saying,
“No one who has an atom’s weight of arrogance will enter Paradise.” [Muslim]
When the Companions asked about liking good clothing and good things, the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) clarified,
“Allah is beautiful, and He loves beauty.” [Tabarani, al-Mu‘jam al-Awsat]
He then explained the reality of arrogance, defining it as refusing to accept the truth and looking down on people.
The Signs of Arrogance
The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) mentioned two key qualities of arrogance:
1. Refusing the Truth
This is when a person rejects what is correct, even after it becomes clear to them. Whether in worldly or religious matters, if someone is shown the truth yet refuses to accept it, this is a sign of arrogance.
The opposite of this is humility, which is to accept the truth when it becomes clear.
2. Looking Down on Others
Arrogance also manifests in belittling others or considering oneself above them. Instead, one should cultivate humility and respect for others.
How to Prevent Arrogance
1. Learn About Arrogance and Its Signs
One should seek to understand arrogance and recognize its manifestations. If its signs appear, one must actively correct oneself and reorient the heart.
2. Cultivate Sincerity
Strive to have a sincere intention for Allah in all matters, not only in acts of worship but also in worldly actions. Whatever one does, one should aim to do it for the sake of Allah.
3. Remembrance of Allah
Keep the tongue moist with the remembrance of Allah. In one’s daily life, whether walking or engaged in routine activities, one should remain in remembrance or engage in beneficial actions.
Constantly turning the heart to Allah trains the soul in humility.
The Reality of True Humility
True humility is not to think oneself important and merely pretend otherwise. Rather, that itself is a form of hidden pride.
True humility, as explained by Ibn ‘Ata’illah, is that one sees oneself as essentially nothing before the greatness of Allah.
Humility is for the servant to be humbled out of recognition of the greatness of Allah. This meaning is cultivated even in the statement “Allahu Akbar.”
Seeking Knowledge and Structured Learning
One should also learn about arrogance through structured study. There are multiple courses that cover these meanings.
In the course on The Book of Assistance, this topic is explained beautifully. There are also resources available that address these matters in detail.
Additionally, in the Tariqa Muhammadiya course, there are chapters dedicated to taqwa. In these, Imam Birgivi discusses pride in detail, including its signs, manifestations, and treatment and cure.
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.
