Explanation of Riyaadh Saliheen: The Chapter of the Prohibition of Arrogance & Self-Conceit

Explanation of Riyaadh Saliheen: The Chapter of the Prohibition of Arrogance & Self-Conceit

Arrogance: A belief in one’s own greatness above the people, and possession of virtue over them.  

Self-conceit: Looking at one’s actions and becoming amazed by them; regarding them as great and lofty.

So self-conceit describes one’s actions while arrogance describes one’s soul. Both traits are dispraised.

Arrogance is of two types: Arrogance toward the truth and arrogance toward people. The Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) clarified both in his statement,

“Arrogance is to reject the truth and to belittle the people.”

The meaning behind the statement, “reject the truth” is to discard it, be averse to it, and to deny it; and the meaning behind the statement, “belittle the people” is to disparage and disdain them, and deem people to be of no worth, seeing oneself above them.

It was said to one man, “What do you think of the people?” He said, “I don’t view them in any way except as flies.” So it is said to him, “Indeed they don’t think of you in any way except the same.”

And it was said to another, “What do you think of the people?” He said, “I view the people to be greater than me; that they have a position and status.” So it was said to him, “Indeed they view you to be greater than them, and that you have a position and status.” When one views people in a certain way, people view one likewise. If one views them with honor, respect, and admiration, placing them in their rightful status, they will hold one in high esteem and will view one in a position of respect, veneration, and great importance, placing one in one’s rightful position, and vice versa.

The Prophet’s (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) statement, “reject the truth” means discarding the truth and not accepting it; because of thinking highly of oneself and one’s opinion. He views himself greater than the truth, Allaah forbid. The sign of such is that evidences from the Book and Sunnah are brought before him yet he will not accept them; instead persisting in his stubbornness. This is the exact description of rejecting the truth, Allaah forbid.