Islamic Warnings Against Arrogance, Pride, and Self-Conceit

🌩 Condemnation of Pride, Arrogance, and Self-Conceit in Islam
Written by: Qari Usama bin Abdus Salam (ḥafiẓahullāh)

❖ Pride and Arrogance in Islamic Teachings​

Islamic teachings strictly prohibit arrogance, pride, and self-conceit. The Qur’an and Sunnah harshly condemn these destructive traits and elevate the values of humility and modesty. Such characteristics lead to ruin, disgrace, and alienation from Allah's mercy.

➊ Condemnation of Arrogance in the Qur’an​

Surah Luqmān (31:18):​

"وَلاَ تَمْشِ فِي الأَرْضِ مَرَحًا إِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يُحِبُّ كُلَّ مُخْتَالٍ فَخُورٍ"
(Surah Luqmān: 18)


Translation: “Do not walk proudly upon the earth. Indeed, Allah does not love the arrogant and boastful.”


This verse forbids prideful behavior, clearly stating that Allah dislikes those filled with self-conceit and arrogance.

Surah al-Nisāʾ (4:36):​

"وَاعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَلاَ تُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْئًا... إِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يُحِبُّ مَنْ كَانَ مُخْتَالاً فَخُورًا"
(Surah al-Nisāʾ: 36)


Translation: “Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him… Indeed, Allah does not love the arrogant and boastful.”


This verse links worship, kindness, and humility, and condemns arrogance and pride.

Surah al-Zumar (39:60):​

"وَيَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ تَرَى الَّذِينَ كَذَبُوا عَلَى اللَّهِ وُجُوهُهُم مُّسْوَدَّةٌ... أَلَيْسَ فِي جَهَنَّمَ مَثْوًى لِّلْمُتَكَبِّرِينَ"
(Surah al-Zumar: 60)


Translation: “And on the Day of Judgment, you will see those who lied against Allah — their faces will be darkened… Is there not in Hell a dwelling for the arrogant?”


⚠ This verse shows the disgraceful fate of the arrogant on the Day of Judgment — darkened faces and Hellfire.

➋ Condemnation of Arrogance in the Hadith​

Hadith 1 – Pride prevents Paradise​

Narrated by ʿAbdullāh ibn Masʿūd (رضي الله عنه), the Prophet ﷺ said:


"لَا يَدْخُلُ الْجَنَّةَ مَنْ كَانَ فِي قَلْبِهِ مِثْقَالُ ذَرَّةٍ مِنْ كِبْرٍ"
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)


Translation: “No one who has even an atom’s weight of pride in his heart will enter Paradise.”


Even a trace of pride can become a barrier to Paradise.

Hadith 2 – Pride belongs only to Allah​

Narrated by Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه), the Prophet ﷺ said:


"الْكِبْرُ رِدَائِي، وَالْعَظَمَةُ إِزَارِي، فَمَنْ نَازَعَنِي وَاحِدًا مِنْهُمَا، أَلْقَيْتُهُ فِي النَّارِ"
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)


Translation: “Pride is My cloak and greatness is My garment. Whoever tries to compete with Me in either, I will cast him into the Fire.”


Pride and grandeur are exclusive attributes of Allah. Any human claiming them earns severe punishment.

Hadith 3 – Humiliation of the Arrogant on the Day of Judgment​

Narrated by Jābir ibn ʿAbdullāh (رضي الله عنه), the Prophet ﷺ said:


"يُحْشَرُ الْمُتَكَبِّرُونَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ أَمْثَالَ الذَّرِّ فِي صُوَرِ الرِّجَالِ، يَغْشَاهُمُ الذُّلُّ"
(Sunan al-Tirmidhī)


Translation: “The arrogant will be gathered on the Day of Judgment like ants in the form of men, overrun by disgrace.”


Visual imagery of disgrace: the arrogant will appear insignificant and trampled underfoot.

➌ The Example of Pharaoh and Other Arrogant Tyrants​

The Fate of Pharaoh​

Pharaoh claimed divinity and boasted of his power, yet Allah destroyed him and his army as a lesson for all.


"فَأَخَذْنَاهُ وَجُنُودَهُ فَنَبَذْنَاهُمْ فِي الْيَمِّ... فَانظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الظَّالِمِينَ"
(Surah al-Qaṣaṣ: 39–40)


Translation: “So We seized him and his armies and threw them into the sea… So look at the end of the wrongdoers.”


This verse reflects the disastrous consequences of pride, arrogance, and rebellion against Allah.

✔ Summary​

• Pride, arrogance, and self-conceit lead to disgrace in this world and punishment in the Hereafter.
• The Qur’an and Sunnah repeatedly warn against these traits and command believers to adopt humility and modesty.
• The example of Pharaoh serves as a timeless warning.
• Humility, compassion, and gratitude are paths to Allah’s pleasure and eternal success.

🕊 May Allah protect us from arrogance and grant us the ability to live with humility and sincerity. Āmīn.