One of the common problems in society is the manifestation of arrogance and self-importance in certain social groups and positions. The source of this arrogance, whether it is worldly status, wealth, physical appearance, knowledge, or power, is disapproved by Allah, the Almighty. The Holy Quran explicitly condemns arrogant individuals in several verses. For example, in Surah Luqman, verse 18, Allah says:
“And do not turn your face away from people in pride, nor walk arrogantly on the earth. Surely, Allah does not like the arrogant boastful.” (Quran, Surah Luqman, verse 18)
Likewise, in verse 23 of Surah An-Nahl, Allah says:
“Indeed, Allah does not like the arrogant.” (Quran, Surah An-Nahl, verse 23).
Therefore, one of the consequences of arrogance is that a person is removed from the circle of Allah’s love.
Arrogance, in addition to causing the lack of love from both Allah and even people, leads to the creation of distance between individuals, resulting in the breakdown of unity and solidarity, causing people to drift apart from each other, and even from their own families.
The opposite of arrogance is the trait of humility, which is frequently seen in the conduct of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them).
For example, Ibn Asakir al-Dimashqi (a Sunni scholar and historian) writes in his history: “[Imam] Hussain (peace be upon him) passed by a group of poor people who were eating in the Suffah (a place for the poor). They invited him to eat with them. [Imam] Hussain (peace be upon him) dismounted from his horse and said: ‘Allah does not love the arrogant.’” [2] Then, he ate with them and said: “I have accepted your invitation, now you must accept mine.” They said, “We accept.” He then went to his house and said to his wife, Rubab, “Prepare what you have stored and bring it.” [3]
On the Day of Ashura, when the pure body of Sayyid al-Shuhada (Imam Hussain, peace be upon him) was found on the ground, a mark was seen on his blessed shoulder. When Imam Ali Zayn al-Abidin (peace be upon him) was asked about the cause of it, he said: “It is the mark of the burdens he used to carry on his shoulders, taking them to the homes of widows, orphans, and the poor.” [4]
Footnotes:
[1] Surah Luqman, verse 18
[2] Referencing Surah An-Nahl, verse 23
[3] Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, Volume 10, Page 411; History of Damascus, Volume 14, Page 181
[4] Ibn Shahr Ashub, Manaqib Ahl al-Bayt, Volume 4, Page 66; Bihar al-Anwar, Volume 44, Page 190