Arrogance is a simple and lucid word but this disease is widespread and the heart in which it is contained invites the wrath from Allah. How often we exhibit pride in our behavior sometimes wittingly and sometimes unwittingly? What is pitiable is that we never think of its serious repercussions. Occasionally loud, sometimes silent, often acrid and frequently satirical but display of pride has become mandatory for us whatever phase of mood we are in. We adopt it just to give the onlooker an idea to be conscious of our designation and be choosy in his selection of words to address us considering our decorum. And Allah has moulded us from a superior soil, why let an ordinary mortal take liberties with us by talking cordially with us? So the situation demands to adopt stern attitude and as far as possible buck out prickly words with raised brows and firm stature. Alas we don’t know Allah  says in holy quran…...Verily, Allâh does not like such as are proud and boastful; Those who are miserly and enjoying miserliness on other men and hide what Allâh has bestowed upon them of His Bounties.... Qur'an 4:36-37 ……
               Ghazali writes, "Pride and conceit is one of the diseases of the heart and it is such  a critical disease that its cure is very difficult. Pride literally means that one feels great and superior, along with this he looks down upon others in a despicable and contemptuous manner. According to Moulana Jallal-ud –Din Rumi… Arrogance is being oblivious and insensible to what is essential, as the ice is unaware of the sun. When ice becomes conscious of the sun, it doesn’t last long, it warms up and melts and flows away. How beautiful and soothing  is it to melt in the love of Allah and his Prophet (SAW) and to do away with this menace of pride. Our Prophet was the epitome of love, sympathy and kindness but it is our ignorance which is keeping us away from his guidelines and it is only our pride which is distancing us from exhibiting humility, modesty self-restraint, discipline, sacrifice, patience, brotherhood and generosity. Indeed, the sin of Iblis (Satan) was his arrogant refusal to humble himself to the will of Allah. He believed himself of elevated status - better than any other creation - and he continues to whisper to us, encouraging our pride, arrogance, love of wealth and status. We must always remember that we are nothing - we have nothing - except what Allah blesses us with. We can do nothing of our own power.
Everything is mortal and if it is our weighty doctorates and post doctorates or renowned designations which is compelling us to walk arrogantly, then we must remember we all have to return to Allah and we are answerable and accountable to Him for our deeds. For this reason it is important that every human considers himself the sufferer of this disease called pride before he commences in his purification and cure. Especially those people who follow commands of Islam with punctuality trying to gain faith, truth, kindness and wisdom to the highest degree, just for the pleasure of Allah, and who wish to create some weight and spirit in their actions.
The pride and conceit will not be eliminated from the heart until we realise and believe that every individual’s position and status is based  according to his deeds and final hour, and this is a matter of the unseen. It might well be that the person whom we regard as pious in worldly terms is not like that inwardly while as the person regarded as wicked by us may be close to Allah and may be  liked by Him because of his hidden noble qualities. Since arrogance affects our personality to such an extent that to do away with it is almost a challenge but replacing it with humility is the only way out. In English, the word "humility" comes from the Latin root word which means "ground." Humility, or being humble, means that one is modest, submissive and respectful, not proud and arrogant. We lower our self to the ground, not elevate our self above others. In prayer, Muslims prostrate themselves to the ground, acknowledging human beings' lowliness and humility before the Lord of the Worlds. In the Qur'an, Allah uses several Arabic words which convey the meaning of "humility." Among these are tada'a (call Allah in humility )and khasha'a( humble before Allah in  prayers). Humility is equivalent to submission to Allah. We should abandon all selfishness and pride in our human power, and stand humbled, meek, and submissive as servants of Allah above all else. Lets be humble. In humility lies all humanity.

(Junaid Shabir is Research Scholar English Department, Kashmir University)

Lastupdate on : Mon, 4 Apr 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
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