Chapter Introduction
Translation: [ Imam Al-Ghazali elaborated on this subject in his book entitled ' Ihya'a Ulum Al-Din (Revival of the Religious Sciences) '
Translation: Below is a quotation from this work hoping that it will benefit the reader on this topic.
Translation: { Arrogance is the son of delusion. For this reason we dealt with it after delusion. The Messenger of Allah has defined it as saying:
" It is a contempt of people and a degrading of the truth. "
Delusion is the deep root of arrogance.
Let us imagine the gravity of the effect of arrogance on human life if it dominated people.
Imagine that each one looked at other people in scorn, what then would be the situation? There will be no respect for anyone. Imagine then the human condition devoid of respect. This is the main source of arrogance.
Then, imagine that every human being has rejected the truth that was shown to him, what would be the situation in this world? At such a time, oppression and falsehood would prevail. As long as people do not unite on the way of truth, they will not unite on falsehood, and at that time the strongest one will enforce his will. The results of this would be oppression, terrorism, hostility, and sanctity people's honors. and rights.
This is a psychological illness that has side effects. What about the side effects? He that ponders over this realizes the meaning of Allah's statement:
Translation: " We have sent you but as a mercy for all creatures. (21: 107)
Translation: He also realizes Allah's mercy in sending the Prophets to their people to purify their souls, and to know about the importance of the purification process in human life in general and in the Islamic life in particular. He realizes also the preachers ' duty to control the purification process as an essential means to create righteous groups and societies. This is a perceptive action, without which we cannot achieve a worldly or a religious goal.
Translation: Now, let us read what Al-Ghazali has said about arrogance }
The Sixth Article: Arrogance
Nature of Arrogance and its Evils
Please be informed that arrogance is divided into two divisions, an internal and an external. As to the internal division, this is a characteristic of the heart, and the external is the apparent actions of the body.
Arrogance is classified under the first one, and the acts are the results of that characteristic. Arrogance affects the deeds, so when it is shown on the limbs [ i.e. through body language] one is described as arrogant. If it does not appear, it is said that one has arrogance in the heart.
Originally, arrogance is implanted in the soul. It is represented by seeing oneself as superior to others. Thus, its parties are those towards whom arrogance is shown and the way with which one shows arrogance. In this way, we distinguish arrogance from delusion. For, the latter entails the deluded one only.
So, had man been created alone, he would have been described as a deluded person not an arrogant one, for arrogance entails another man to whom the arrogance is shown. In this case, one feels pleasure and pride in the heart, this is arrogance. Thus, whenever man sees his soul with that 5 This is an introduction by Sheikh Sa'eed Hawwa to the subject quoted from the book titled: ' Al Mostakhlas Fee Tazkiyatil Anfos ' based on Imam Al -- Ghazali's work.
eye (eye of arrogance), he gets haughty and arrogant. Thus arrogance is the psychological state rising in the heart due to such imaginations.
Commenting on the following verse, Ibn Abbas said that the state is called the greatness that they will never attain. Thus, he interpreted arrogance as a sense of greatness. The verse says:
Translation: "... There is nothing in their breasts but (the quest of) greatness, which they shall never attain... * " ' (40 " 56)
Translation: Treating people haughtily differs proportionally with the degree of arrogance. Thus, one disdains others and likes that they should stand before him as a servant stands before his master. When his arrogance gets more intense, he views that such a person is not qualified to serve him. If he has a lower degree of arrogance, he disdains being seen as equal to others. If he teaches or argues, he does this in a rough manner, and if he is preached to, he does not accept the preaching. If anyone tries to refute what he says, he treats that person arrogantly. He deals with common people as donkeys, out of disdain and contempt.
Translation: The deeds resulting from arrogance are too many to count. This is the arrogance whose evil is great and whose harm is severe, and the dignitaries among the people may be destroyed because of it. Even some scholars and worshippers are liable to be affected by it. How do not we consider its evil as great when the Prophet has said:
Translation: As narrated by Abdullah: ' The Messenger of Allah said: " He that has an atom's weight of arrogance in his heart will never enter Paradise... "
Arrogance becomes the screen between a servant and Paradise, because it distances the servant from the morals that for the believers are the gates to Paradise. Arrogance closes these gates because it is impossible for a person to love for the believers what he loves for himself, as long as he has pride or arrogance in his heart.
It is impossible for a person to treat people modestly, and that is the highest virtue of the pious people, as long as he has pride or arrogance in the heart. It is impossible for a person to treat people honestly as long as he has pride or arrogance in his heart. It is impossible for a person to suppress vexation as long as he has pride or arrogance in his heart. It is impossible for a person to abandon envy as long as he has pride or arrogance in his heart. It is impossible for a person to abandon being scornful as long as he has pride or arrogance in his heart.
In brief, we cannot enumerate all the vices that discredit its owner. There is no evil characteristic except that an arrogant person has a trace of it in the heart. For this reason, he will be deprived of Paradise. It is known that the evil characteristics are interrelated and that one of them leads to the other. The worst kind of arrogance is that which prevents one from benefiting from knowledge, accepting the truth, and submitting to it. Many verses have criticized this characteristic. Below are some examples of them:
Translation: "... If you could but see how the wicked (do fare) in the flood of confusion at death! While the angels will be stretching forth their hands, (saying): " Yield up your souls. This day you shall receive your reward, a penalty of shame, for you used to tell lies against Allah, and scornfully you rejected His verses, 3 " (6: 93) And
Translation: " (To them) it will be said: " Enter you the gates of Hell, to dwell therein forever and evil is (this) abode of the arrogant. " * 11 (39: 72) And
Translation: " Then, We shall certainly drag out from every sect all those who were worst in obstinate rebellion against (Allah) Most Gracious. " (19: 69) And
Translation: " Your God is One God. As to those who believe not in the Hereafter, their hearts refuse to know, and they are arrogant. * " (16: 22) And
Translation: ،،... Those who had been despised will say to the arrogant ones: " Had it not been for you, we should certainly have been believers! (34: 31) And
Translation: " I will turn away from My signs those who behave arrogantly on the earth in defiance of right... * " (7: 146)
Translation: The commentators of the Noble Koran have various opinions regarding this last verse [ they say]:
Translation: Allah says that He will screen their hearts from understanding the Koran.
Translation: Allah says that He will screen their hearts from considering the kingdom of the heavens.
Ibn Jorayj said: " Allah says that He will turn their hearts away from considering the creation of the heavens and the earth, hence they will not be guided by it. "
For this reason, the Messenger of Allah explained arrogance as saying that it is a degrading of the truth and a scorning of men.
The One to Whom Arrogance is shown
Please be informed that when one behaves arrogantly, he shows arrogance to Allah, His Messengers, may Allah be pleased with them, or the rest of humanity. Man has been created unfair and ignorant, sometimes he treats people arrogantly, and sometimes he behaves towards Allah arrogantly. Thus, arrogance is divided into three divisions as far as the one to whom the arrogance is shown is concerned.
The First Division:
Showing arrogance to Allah is the most defiant arrogance. Nothing stirs it except pure ignorance and tyranny, like that of Nimrod, some of the other ignorant people, and anyone who claims lordship as Pharaoh did. The latter disdained to be a servant of Allah; instead he claimed to be the most superior god. For this reason Allah said:
Translation: "... But those who are too arrogant to serve Me will surely find themselves in Hell, in humiliation. * " (40: 60) And
Translation: " Christ disdains not to serve and worship Allah, nor do the angels, those nearest (to Allah). Those who disdain to worship Him and are arrogant, He will gather them all together unto Himself to (answer). * " (4: 172) And
Translation: " When it is said to them: " Adore you (Allah) Most Gracious! " they say: " And what is (Allah) Most Gracious Shall we adore that which you command us? " And it increases their flight (from the Truth). * " (25: 60)
Translation: The Second Division:
Translation: Showing arrogance towards the Messengers of Allah by disobeying them under the false allegation of them being human beings.
Translation: This deludes reason and casts it in seas of doubt and ignorance. Hence, it persists in the erroneous way of thinking that one is on the right track and the straight path. Allah relates to us some examples of these arrogant people in His statement:
" They said: " Shall we believe in two men like ourselves? And their people are subject to us! "
The verse refers to the people of Pharaoh who belied Moses and Aaron. And
Translation: " The (people) said: " You are only men like ourselves, and (Allah) Most Gracious sends no sort of revelation, you do nothing but lie. * " (36:15) And
Translation: " If you obey a man like yourselves, behold, it is certain you will be lost. * " (23: 34) And
Translation: " And those who aspired not to meet Us said: " Why are not the angels sent down to us, or (why) do not we see our Lord? " Indeed they have an arrogant conceit of themselves, and their insolence is mighty. * " (25: 21) And
Translation: " And they said: " Why is not an angel sent down to him? " 3235 (6: 8)
Translation: Out of arrogance, Pharaoh said:
Translation: "... Or (why) did not the angels come accompanying him in procession? " * " (43:53) And
Translation: “ And he and his hosts were arrogant and insolent in the land beyond reason... * " (28: 39) The verse refers to Pharaoh and his hosts.
Translation: The Qoraysh showed arrogance as Allah relates their story with the Prophet. The Noble Koran says:
Translation: “ Also, they said: " Why was not this Koran sent down to some great man of either of the two (chief) cities? * " (43:31)
Translation: Commenting on this verse, Qatada said that the Qorayshi people meant either Al-Waleed ibn Al-Mogheera or Abu- Mas'oud Al-Thaqafi. They hoped that the Message should be given to one of the dignitaries not to an orphan child, i.e. Muhammad. The Noble Koran refuted their allegation saying:
Translation: “ Is it they who would portion out the Mercy of thy Lord? *** (43: 32) And
Translation: " Thus, We tried some of them by comparison with others, that they should say: " Is it these then that Allah has favored from amongst us... * " (6:53)
Translation: Out of arrogance, the Qorayshi people said to the Messenger of Allah: " How can we sit (and listen to) you while such weak and poor people are your followers? " Thereupon Allah revealed:
Translation: " Send not away those who call on their Lord morning and evening, seeking His Face. In naught you are accountable for them, and in naught they are accountable for you, that you should turn them away, and thus be (one) of the unjust. * (6:52) And
Translation: " And keep your soul content with those who call on their Lord morning and evening, seeking His Face; and let not your eyes pass beyond them, seeking the pomp and glitter of this Life... " (18: 28)
Translation: Allah relates to us the amazement of the unbelievers when they will not find those whom they considered as weak and poor during life as saying:
Translation: " And they will say: " What has happened to us that we see not men whom we used to number among the bad ones? " * " (38: 62)
Translation: The commentators of the Noble Koran say that the Qorayshi people refer here to Ammar, Bilal, Sohayb, and Al- Miqdad.
Translation: Some people were debarred from contemplation [ of the Message] out of ignorance, some others knew the truth about the Message, but they refused to confess it. Allah says:
Translation: "... When there came to them that which they (should) have recognized. They refused to believe in it... * " (2:89) And
Translation: " And they rejected those Signs in iniquity and arrogance... * " (27: 14)
Translation: This division of arrogance is near to the first, but it is not as grave. It is a rebellion against the commandments of Allah and of showing modesty to the Messenger of Allah.
Translation: The Third Division:
Treating people arrogantly by showing vain pride and disdain of others. Thus, one's soul rejects considering them as equal to oneself, obeying them or to treating them modestly. Although this division is less serious than the first and second, it is dangerous for two reasons.
The first reason is that arrogance, pride, a feeling of greatness, and superiority do not behoove to none but Allah, the King and the Omnipotent. As to the weak and disabled servant, how would he be described with these Attributes! Thus, when the servant assumes arrogance, he usurps one of Allah's Attributes. A Hadith Qodsi refers to this saying:
" Greatness is My loincloth, haughtiness is My dress, he that assumes one of them I will cast him in Hellfire. "
This means that such attributes are Allah's, and no creature is permitted to claim any of them. He that claims any of them has usurped one of His Attributes or Rights. It should be obvious that the difference between Nimrod and Pharaoh's usurpation is like the usurping of some slaves of the master and usurping the whole kingdom respectively.
What causes Arrogance?
Be informed that none assume arrogance but he that thinks highly of his soul, and one does not think highly of his soul except when he thinks that it has special characteristics. This could be attributed to worldly or religious reasons. The religious reasons are knowledge and practice. The worldly reasons are lineage, beauty, strength, wealth, and a multitude of supporters. These are seven reasons.
The First: Knowledge
How speedy does arrogance go to the scholars! A scholar may be deluded with his knowledge, hence he sees other people as ignorant, thinking highly of himself.
He may feel arrogant in the way that he likes that they should be the first to give him a greeting. If he greets anyone first and the other answered his greeting in a delightful way and better than his, he considers it to be a great favor that he has submitted to them, and they should give thanks to him and render a service to him for it.
People may usually do favors for him, but he may not do them for others; they may visit him, but he may not visit them. He may exploit those who mix with him; and if one falls short in his service, he may rebuke him as if he was his slave and as if the knowledge that he teaches them is not a duty on him. This arrogance is related to this worldly life. As to the arrogance related to the Hereafter, the scholar may think that he is better than others in the sight of Allah, so he hopes for himself what he does not hope for them. Such a scholar is worthier to be called an ignorant one, than to be called a scholar, for true knowledge is that which helps the scholar to know his soul, his Lord, and the gravity of ending one's deeds with an evil deed.
If one argues what is wrong with some people who become more arrogant despite knowledge?
The answer is that there are two reasons for this:
The First Reason:
The scholar may occupy himself with what is called knowledge but it is not true knowledge. For, true knowledge is that which helps the scholar to know his soul, his Lord, and the gravity of meeting with Allah and being screened by Him. This implants fear and awe in the scholar's heart. Allah said:
Translation: ،، "... Truly, those who have knowledge among His servants fear Allah... * * " (35:28)
Translation: The Second Reason:
The servant may involve himself in knowledge with an evil soul and morals, because he neither disciplined his soul nor purified his heart before becoming involved in seeking knowledge, hence he remained ill mannered. Thus, when he acquires knowledge, any branch of knowledge, it is shaped according to the container that contains it (the heart). For he whose determination has been arrogance when he was ignorant surpassed the limits in ignorance upon acquiring knowledge because he has acquired an additional element for delusion. But when he had fear while he was ignorant, and then he acquired knowledge, he exceeds in fear, modesty, and humbleness upon acquiring knowledge. As generally, knowledge leads to arrogance if it is taken mistakenly. For this reason, Allah said to his Prophet:
Translation: “ And lower your wing to who followed you of the believers. * " (26: 215) And
Translation: ،،... Were you severe or harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about you... وو (3: 159)
Translation: He described His devotees as:
Translation: "... They are lowly with the believers, mighty against the unbelievers... * " (5:54)
Translation: The Second: Knowledge and Worship
Translation: Knowledge and worship may not be free from feelings of pride or arrogance. They may not be free from attempts to milk the sympathy of the ascetics and worshippers. Arrogance may seep out of the hearts of those people to their limbs in regard to worldly and religious affairs. They may see that others feel bound to visit them and they expect others to serve them, show them reverence, mention their piety and scruples, and give them priority over other people. These worshippers see their acts of worship as being favors to other people.
Translation: As to religion, they may see others as ruined and themselves as rescued, while in fact they are the ruined ones in reality, even if they see it as otherwise.
Translation: For this reason, the Messenger of Allah said as narrated by Abu-Huraira: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “ If you see a man saying: ' The people are ruined, (know that) he is the utterly ruined one. " 3355
Translation: The Messenger of Allah said this because the man who scorns other people is deluded by his own deeds, and feels safe from Allah's punishment. But it is evil to scorn others. The Messenger of Allah said as narrated by Abu-Huraira: ' The Messenger of Allah said: " It is sufficient for a man to hold his Muslim brother in contempt. " " "
How great is the difference between him who loves his Muslim brother, respects him, and loves for him what he loves for his own soul!
People attain salvation through reverence and showing kindness to the creatures of Allah, while such scholars [ as described above] seek Allah's wrath through disliking and disrespecting them out of their arrogance. It would be better for them if they loved others in the way of Allah for their righteousness, so that Allah would grant them ranks near theirs and vise versa.
The Third: Arrogance on account of Lineage
This reason includes those who feel arrogant due to their lineage, i.e. those that have noble origins and scorn others for not having the same, even if they are of a higher rank than theirs in knowledge and deeds. Some of them may behave haughtily thinking that other people are their servant and slaves, and they may therefore distance themselves from them. This type of arrogance has its effects in the body. Their tongues mention their honor too often. This is a vice that, none, even those among the prudent and righteous people, are able to abandon. Sometimes the effects may not appear in their behavior when the people are in good mood, but if one of them gets angry, it may be shown by their behavior. It was narrated that Abu-Zarr said: " I disputed with a man in the presence of the Prophet. (When I got angry) I said to the man: O son of a black woman. ' At that, the Prophet said: " The matter has reached its climax! There is no excellence in the son of a white woman over that of a black one, except through piety. Abu-Zarr said: " I put my cheek to the ground and said to the man: ' Tread on my cheek. " "
So look how did the Messenger of Allah attracted the attention to that claim aroused through anger, he described it as ignorance and as a wrong deed. And look how Abu-Zarr repented and uprooted the arrogance from his soul by his disputant's feet, because he has been taught that pride is overpowered only by humility. It was narrated also that two men had disputed in the presence of the Messenger of Allah and one of them had said: " I am so and so, son of so and so. Who are you then? " The Prophet ﷺ said: “ Two people boasted about their lineage in the presence of Moses. One of them said: ' I am so and so. ' He related [ his lineage] until his ninth grandfather. At that Allah revealed to Moses “ Say to the one boasting about his lineage: ' The nine people you have counted are of the dwellers of Hellfire and you are their tenth. " "
I think this quotation from Imam Al-Ghazali is sufficient, and now let us read what Imam Al-Nawawi compiled in the same concern.
Translation: Allah said:
Translation: " Verily, Qaroon (Korah) was of Moses ' people, but he behaved arrogantly towards them. And We gave him of the treasures, that of which the keys would have been a burden to a body of strong men. Remember when his people said to him: " Do not be glad (with ungratefulness to Allah's Favors). Verily! Allah likes not those who are glad (with ungratefulness to Allah's Favors) * But seek, with that (wealth) which Allah has bestowed on you, the home of the Hereafter, and forget not your portion of lawful enjoyment in this world, and do good as Allah has been good to you, and seek not mischief in the land. Verily, Allah likes not those who spread mischief. * He said: " This has been given to me only because of the knowledge I possess. " Did he not know that Allah had destroyed before him generations, men who were stronger than him in might and greater in the amount (of riches) they had collected? But the criminals, disbelievers, polytheists, sinners) will not be questioned of their sins (because Allah knows them well, so they will be punished without being called to account). *
Translation: So he went out before his people in his pomp. Those who were desirous of the life of the world, said: " Ah, would that we had the like of what Qaroon (Korah) has been given? Verily! He is the owner of a great fortune. " * But those who had been given (religious) knowledge said: " Woe to you! The Reward of Allah (in the Hereafter) is better for those who believe and do righteous good deeds, and this none shall attain except those who are patient and steadfast. ” *
Translation: So We caused the earth to swallow him and his dwelling place. Then he had no group or party to help him against Allah, nor was he one of those who could save themselves. * And those who had desired (for a position like) his position the day before, began to say: " Know you not that it is Allah Who enlarges the provision or restricts it to whomsoever He pleases of His slaves. Had it not been that Allah was Gracious to us, He could have caused the earth to swallow us up (also)! "
Know you not that the disbelievers will never be successful. * That home of the Hereafter (i.e. Paradise), We shall assign to those who rebel not against the truth with pride and oppression in the land nor do mischief by committing crimes. And the good end is for the pious. * 55 (28 76-83) And
Translation: " And walk not on the earth with conceit and arrogance. Verily, you can neither rend nor penetrate the earth, nor can you attain a stature like the mountains in height. * " (17: 37) And
Translation: " And turn not your face away from men with pride, nor walk in insolence through the earth. Verily, Allah likes not any arrogant boaster. * " (31:18)
Translation: The Messenger of Allah said as