The Reality of Man, Importance of Humility, and Condemnation of Arrogance in IslamWritten by: Qari Usama bin Abdus Salam (ḥafiẓahullāh)
❖ The Reality of Man and the Call to Reform
The Qur'an and Hadith offer profound guidance aimed at reminding humans of their origin and calling them to submit humbly before Allah. These teachings are designed to awaken the hearts of people, making them realize their fragility and dependence, and to abandon pride and arrogance. Those who reflect on these reminders may develop fear of Allah and begin walking the path of spiritual reform.
➊ The Qur’an on Human Weakness and Worthlessness
Surah ʿAbasa (80:17–20):
"Woe to man! How ungrateful he is! From what thing did He create him? From a sperm-drop He created him and proportioned him. Then He made the way easy for him. Then He caused him to die and be buried."
These verses describe the insignificant origin of man and his inevitable end in the grave, where his body will decay. Recalling this reality helps one guard against arrogance.Surah al-Tīn (95:4–6):
"Indeed, We created man in the best form. Then We returned him to the lowest of the low."
Though Allah created man in an exalted form, if he fails in his deeds, his end will be humiliation and destruction — a stern warning to the arrogant and heedless.Surah al-Muʾminūn (23:12–16):
"And certainly We created man from an extract of clay. Then We placed him as a sperm-drop in a firm lodging. Then We made the sperm-drop into a clinging clot, then the clot into a lump, then We made bones from the lump, then We clothed the bones with flesh, then We developed him into another creation. So blessed is Allah, the best of creators. Then after that, you will surely die. Then on the Day of Resurrection you will be raised again."
These verses detail the stages of human creation, highlighting his frailty, and reminding of death and resurrection — compelling reasons to abandon pride.➋ Hadiths on Human Reality and the Condemnation of Arrogance
Arrogance is a Divine Attribute
Narrated by Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه), the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"Allah says: Grandeur is My cloak and pride is My garment. Whoever tries to compete with Me in any of these, I will cast him into Hell."
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
Pride and grandeur are exclusive attributes of Allah. Any human displaying arrogance invites Hell upon himself.Disgrace of the Arrogant on the Day of Judgment
Narrated by Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه), the Prophet ﷺ said:
"On the Day of Judgment, the arrogant will be resurrected in the form of tiny ants; people will trample over them with their feet."
(Sunan al-Tirmidhī)
⚠ This ḥadīth graphically illustrates the humiliation and degradation awaiting the arrogant in the Hereafter.
Pride Prevents Entry into Paradise
Narrated by ʿAbdullāh ibn Masʿūd (رضي الله عنه), the Prophet ﷺ said:
"He who has even a mustard seed’s worth of pride in his heart shall not enter Paradise."
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
Even the slightest arrogance can deprive a person of Paradise. This is a strong reminder to cultivate humility.➌ Man’s Origin and End
Sayyidunā ʿAlī (رضي الله عنه) said:
"Your beginning is a filthy drop, your end is a decayed corpse, and in between you carry filth within your belly."
This saying deeply reflects on the true nature of human existence, offering a powerful admonition for the arrogant.➍ End of the Arrogant in the Qur’an and Hadith
Surah al-Fajr (89:23–24):
"And when Hellfire is brought forth on that Day, man will remember, but what will remembrance avail him? He will say, 'Oh! Would that I had sent ahead for my life!'"
These verses caution that remorse on the Day of Judgment will be useless for the heedless.Surah al-Zumar (39:60):
"And on the Day of Resurrection, you will see those who lied against Allah with their faces blackened. Is there not in Hell a dwelling place for the arrogant?"
The verse warns that those who show arrogance and fabricate lies against Allah will be cast into Hell, their faces darkened by disgrace.➎ The Grave: A Place of Reflection
Narrated by ʿUthmān ibn ʿAffān (رضي الله عنه), the Prophet ﷺ said:
"The grave is the first stage of the Hereafter. Whoever succeeds in it, what follows will be easier for him. But if he fails in it, what follows will be even more severe."
(Sunan al-Tirmidhī)
⚰ This ḥadīth emphasizes the importance and severity of the grave, urging one to engage in righteous deeds and abandon pride.
✔ Summary
- The Qur’an and Hadith teach us about man's origin, fragility, and insignificance, calling us to submit to Allah with humility.
- Pride is condemned, and humility is the path to Allah’s mercy and Paradise.
- The grave and the Hereafter remind us that arrogance will only lead to disgrace and punishment.
🕊 May Allah grant us the ability to recognize our reality, abandon arrogance, and walk the path of humility and righteousness. Āmīn.
