Article appeared Friday, November 25th, 2016 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (452)

yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

Would it be worthwhile examining the human characteristic of arrogance? For example, does
arrogance promote or help an individual in any way? Or does it cause harm? Before delving into
possible answers, it may be helpful to revisit the definition of arrogance. The Merriam-Webster
dictionary {1} gives the following simple definition.
An insulting way of thinking or behaving that comes from believing that one is better,
smarter, or more important than other people. {1}
In other words, arrogance entails pointing out through words and/or deeds trying to impress
upon others that one is superior to them. Synonyms of arrogance are conceit, pride, selfimportance, egotism, pompousness such people may walk about with an attitude of insolence.
Now let us look at some questions and corresponding answers given by people. Why are
people arrogant or what is it that promotes arrogance? For example, Carter and Dempsy
suggest in their book, The Complete Idiots Guide to Bipolar Disorder that
Arrogance is a mask for a lack of confidence. People who lack confidence may display
arrogance as a way of compensating for the way they feel. {2}
According to Nelson Mandela, people use arrogance to fill in for their lack of knowledge or to
cover up for their ignorance.
The more informed you are the less arrogant and aggressive you are. {3}
So, do people use arrogance as a cover to hide their lack of confidence or ignorance? What
would happen if such a person took leadership of an organization? Ira Chaleff {2} suggests that
such a leader would bring in a weakness to the organization,
Arrogant leadership is toxic to an organization. It looks like strength but is a debilitating
weakness. {2}
So an arrogant person is useless not only to himself/herself, but also to others. Turning to the
Holy Scriptures, we see that the Bible is against arrogance {4}. In turn, the Holy Quran declares
that disbelief (a major sin) in the oneness of the Creator and in accountability arises from
arrogance.
Your Allah is One Allah: as to those who believe not in the Hereafter their hearts refuse
to know as they are arrogant. [16.22]
Humility and piety towards the Creator can only come from the realization that one is created
and therefore totally dependent on Him for everything. Would an arrogant person find this fact
difficult to digest? Can this be classified as a lack of knowledge, ignorance or just an attitude of
superiority? As an analogy, would it make sense for a manufactured car to be arrogant? Who
does the credit for the cars performance belong to? Allah points out that He knows about the
feeling of greatness that such people nurture in their hearts as well as the fact that they do not
believe in the Revelation given by Him.
Undoubtedly Allah knows what they conceal and what they reveal: verily He loves not
the arrogant. When it is said to them "What is it that your Lord has revealed?" They say
"Tales of the ancients!" [16.23 16.24]
Arrogance is the sin that brought the downfall of Satan (Iblis).

And (mention) when We said to the angels, "Bow to Adam"; and they prostrated, except
for Iblis. He refused as he was arrogant and thus became of those who reject Faith.
[2.34]
Those who claim that they believe in the Creator are therefore warned against following in the
footsteps of Satan and consider entering into the fold of proper religion completely.
O you who believe! Enter into Islam whole-heartedly; and follow not the footsteps of the
Evil One; for he is to you an avowed enemy. [2.208]
Satan (Iblis), the Evil One whispers thoughts of greatness into our hearts so that we become
disbelievers. Allah therefore warns,

17.37 Nor walk on the earth with insolence: for you cannot tear the earth apart
nor reach the mountains in height.
17.38 Of all such things the evil is hateful in the sight of your Lord.
Arrogance is a great sin and leads to all evils leading to disbelief. We therefore need to analyze
the logic of the thoughts of greatness that Iblis injects into our minds and replace these with
thoughts of gratitude towards our Creator for giving us intelligence and an opportunity to know
and acknowledge His Qualities.

17.39 These are among the (precepts of) wisdom which your Lord Has revealed
to you. Take not with Allah another object of worship lest you be thrown into Hell,
blamed and banished.
Following the footsteps of Iblis, i.e., following the arrogant ways demonstrated by him is
tantamount to equating him with the Creator, Allah; as this demonstrates preference of following
his suggestions over that which Allah has Revealed in the Quran.
Say, "O men! Truth has now reached you from your Lord! Those who receive guidance
do so for the good of their own souls; those who stray do so to their own loss: and I am
not (set) over you to arrange your affairs." [10.108]
----------{Notes}:
{1} http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arrogance
{2} http://www.notable-quotes.com/a/arrogance_quotes.html
{3} https://www.pinterest.com/explore/arrogance-quotes/
{4} http://www.patheos.com/blogs/christiancrier/2015/05/22/how-does-the-bible-definearrogance/