Hadiths on Humility
Numerous prophetic hadiths address the virtue of humility. Below are several notable examples:
- The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) stated: “Indeed, Allah has revealed to me that you must be humble, so that no one boasts over another and no one oppresses another.”
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) remarked: “Charity does not diminish wealth, and Allah increases a servant in honor when they forgive. No one humbles themselves for Allah except that Allah elevates them.”
- He also said: “Whoever removes their clothing in humility before Allah while they are able to wear it, Allah will summon them on the Day of Resurrection in front of all creatures and allow them to choose any garments of faith they desire to wear.”
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned: “There is not a human except that there is wisdom above their head held by a guardian angel. When they humble themselves, it is commanded to the angel: Raise his wisdom; and if they become arrogant, it is commanded: Lower their wisdom.”
Hadiths Condemning Arrogance
Many hadiths criticize arrogance, including the following:
- The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) declared: “No one will enter Paradise who has an atom’s weight of arrogance in their heart.”
- He also said: “Shall I not inform you of the inhabitants of the Fire? Every obstinate, arrogant person.”
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) noted: “Three types will not be spoken to by Allah on the Day of Judgment, nor will He purify them; Abu Muawiyah said: nor will He look at them, and they will face a painful punishment: an elderly man who commits adultery, a lying king, and a proud poor person.”
- The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) further explained: “A person does not enter Paradise if they have an atom’s weight of arrogance in their heart.” A man asked, “But what if someone likes to wear nice clothes and shoes?” He replied: “Allah is Beautiful and loves beauty. Arrogance is to reject the truth and belittle people.”
- Furthermore, he stated: “Heaven and Hell argued. Hell said: ‘In me are the tyrants and the arrogant.’ Heaven said: ‘In me are the weak and poor people.’ Allah ruled between them: ‘You, Paradise, are My mercy; I bestow mercy upon whom I will. And you, Hell, are My punishment; I will inflict punishment upon whom I will. Both of you are under My control.’
Qur’anic Verses on Humility and Condemnation of Arrogance
Several verses in the Holy Qur’an address the themes of humility and the condemnation of arrogance. Here are a few:
- Allah, the Most High, states in Surah Luqman: “And do not turn your cheek [in contempt] toward people and do not walk through the earth exultantly. Indeed, Allah does not like every self-deluded boastful person.”
- In Surah Al-Qasas, He says: “That home of the Hereafter We assign to those who do not desire exaltation upon the earth or corruption; and the best outcome is for the righteous.”
- Allah also mentions in Surah Al-Furqan: “And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth humbly. And when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace.”
- In Surah Ash-Shu’ara, He commands: “And lower to the believers who follow you your wing [of mercy].”
- In Surah As-Sajda, it is said: “Indeed, only those who believe in Our verses are those who, when reminded of them, fall down in prostration and exalt [Allah] with praise of their Lord, and they are not arrogant.”
- Allah, the Almighty, reveals in Surah An-Naml: “She said, ‘O assembly [of chiefs], indeed, there has been delivered to me a noble letter. Indeed, it is from Solomon, and indeed, it reads: ‘In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, that you not be arrogant with me but come to me in submission.'”
- Lastly, in Surah Al-Fath, it is stated: “Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; and those with him are forceful against the disbelievers, merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and prostrating, seeking bounty from Allah and [His] pleasure. Their mark is on their faces from the trace of prostration. That is their description in the Torah and their description in the Gospel is like a seed which produces its shoot, then strengthens it so that it grows firm and rises upon its stalk, delighting the planners; that He may enrage them thereby [the disbelievers]. Allah has promised those who believe and do righteous deeds among them forgiveness and a great reward.”