Stay Humble, Don’t Be Arrogant

Indeed, Allah has revealed to me that you should be humble toward one another, so that no one oppresses another and no one boasts over another.

Book 40: Chapter 16: Number 6856

Muslim. (2018) Sahih Muslim. Translated by A. Hameed Siddiqui.

Have you ever felt better than someone else? Maybe because you’re smarter, wealthier, more religious, or more knowledgeable about faith. Or perhaps you’ve looked down on someone because of their appearance, their job, or their background. Without realizing it, attitudes like these are a form of arrogance, something Allah does not like.

Arrogance Prevents You from Entering Paradise Rasulullah (ﷺ) said: "No one will enter Paradise who has in his heart the weight of a mustard seed of pride." Someone asked, "What about people who like wearing nice clothes and shoes?" The Prophet (ﷺ) answered, "Allah is Beautiful and loves beauty. Real arrogance is refusing to accept the truth and looking down on others."

Common Misconceptions: "People who wear branded clothes must be arrogant." "If you want to be humble, you have to wear shabby clothes." "Owning a nice car = being arrogant"

"Allah is Beautiful and loves beauty." Allah loves beauty – There's absolutely nothing wrong with wearing nice clothes, owning nice things, or having a good appearance. Looking good ≠ arrogance – As long as your intention is right and you don't look down on others.

Buying branded clothes because you like them and can afford them → Perfectly fine. Buying branded clothes for validation and to look down on others → Arrogance.

Rasulullah (ﷺ) said: “It is truly a great evil for a Muslim to look down upon their fellow Muslim.”

Beyond that, arrogance also involves rejecting the truth. For example, being stubborn even when you know you're wrong, thinking you're always right, or even refusing advice because of your ego.

Don't Let Your Good Deeds Make You Arrogant For instance, understanding religion but thinking your opinion is always right; wearing hijab but looking down on those who haven't started yet; or feeling more religious than others by saying, "I'm not like them." This kind of attitude makes someone look down on those who are still learning or have made mistakes.