Article appeared Friday, December 30th, 2016 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (457)

yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

Is there any difference between arrogance and confidence? Once a baby starts walking, he/she
is pretty confident as he/she knows both how to fall and how to walk. He/she has learned how to
walk through hard work, i.e., through trial and error. The baby is pleased when he/she is able to
walk eventually!
As the baby has learned, is there a need for the baby to show off his/her new skills? Or is there
a need for the baby to feel proud that he/she can walk? Before fully being able to walk, if the
baby wanted to show off his/her skill, what may happen? It is the same with all other skills
acquired as we grow up. However, as we grow up, often, a need for showing off and
demonstrating arrogance creeps into our nature an unproductive need to demonstrate to
others that we are better than they. Where does this unnecessary character trait come from?
Before delving into the origins of arrogance, let us remind ourselves of the meaning or definition
of arrogance. The website Personality and Spirituality {1} describes arrogance as one of the
seven basic character flaws or dark personality traits while quoting the following definition,
The act or habit of making undue claims in an overbearing manner; that species of
pride which consists in exorbitant claims of rank, dignity, estimation, or power, or which
exalts the worth or importance of the person to an undue degree; proud contempt of
others. {1}
Synonyms for arrogance are: egotism, conceit, grandiosity, and self-importance. Ancient Greek
literature refers to hubris, a form of arrogance in which a person thinks himself to be higher in
status than other ordinary mortals in other words, a god {1}. Addingtons blog {2} picks up
arrogance as a topic and discusses the pitfalls of leadership arrogance, e.g., arrogance
demonstrated by leaders of organizations. One of the signs of such arrogance is,
Self importance. Arrogance is, after all, all about self. These are leaders who truly
believe that they are somehow different from normal human beings. They often speak
about what they are doing in extravagant ways and rarely ask about what others are
doing. Their focus in on themselves, their ministry and their contribution to the kingdom.
The common theme is that it is about them. {2}
Regardless of the circumstances, an arrogant person sees himself superior and greatly
valuable. In the Qur' an, such a person is said to deify himself {3}. Consequently, arrogance
and, in connection with it, vanity, equals to associating partners to Allah and disbelief. In fact,
this great sin of Iblis' is explained thus in the Quran:
... Iblis who was arrogant and was one of the disbelievers. [38:74]
Iblis (Satan), in his arrogance, offers a reason (logic) to Allah for disobeying His Order of bowing
down to Prophet Adam (sm).
I am better than he. You created me from fire but You created him from clay. [38:76]
Iblis, who dared to disobey Allah' s command, was denounced by Allah and was destined to the
eternal torment of Hell. The reason why Iblis revolted against Allah was due to his "arrogance,"
or to put it in other words, "vanity." What instilled these feelings of pride in Iblis was a vice he
had allowed to grow within himself: "Ego". So why is arrogance such a great sin? When we look
at the overall picture we see that Allah has created man, given him intelligence, given him
countless blessings and skills. Through arrogance we deny the Giver and promote ourselves

thus demonstrating ingratitude and disbelief. Having created man, Allah constantly guides/
warns as well as monitors mans response to the blessings given and his attitude towards Him.

17.60 Behold! We told you (O, Muhammad) that your Lord encompasses
mankind round about: We granted the Vision which We showed you but as a trial
for men as also the Cursed Tree (mentioned) in the Qur'an: We put terror (and
warning) into them but it only increases their inordinate transgression!
Allah guides man through visions (dreams and images) and often makes these visions a trial for
those who disbelieve. The description of the Accursed Tree {4} [37:62; 44:43; 56:52] created of
fire situated in Hell should put fear in the hearts of men who believe. Those who are cursed
would be eating from it this is Allahs warning. Who are those who are destined for Hell? Allah
gives the example of Iblis disobedience and those who follow his example of vanity and
arrogance.

17.61 Behold! We said to the angels, "Bow down to Adam". They bowed down
except Iblis. He said, "Shall I bow down to one whom You created from clay?"
The knowledge given to human beings and the ability to ask questions has honored mankind
above the rest of the creation. Ibliss arrogance blinded him to the truth and led him to disobey a
direct command of God. Imagining himself to be superior, Iblis presented his own logic, trying to
justify his superiority. Iblis challenged God that he would mislead mankind into becoming
arrogant.

17.62 He said, "Do You See? This is the one whom You have honored above me!
If You will grant me respite till the Day of Judgment I will surely bring his
descendants under my sway all but a few!"
17.63 Allah said, "Go your way; if any of them follow you, verily Hell will be the
recompense of you all an ample recompense.
So, Allah gave Iblis permission to invite men by whispering into their hearts and thus planting
seeds of arrogance and vain ways.

17.64 "Lead to destruction those who you can among them (mankind) with your
(seductive) voice; make assaults on them with your cavalry and your infantry;
mutually share with them wealth and children; and make promises to them. But
Satan promises them nothing but deceit.
Seductive voice = suggesting the type of logic that Iblis has. Therefore whenever we have
thoughts we should examine our thoughts with logical questions. For example, God has created
us and lavished us with countless blessings. Would he want us to do something that would
deprive us from blessings that He has given?

17.65 "As for My servants no authority shall you have over them." Enough is
your Lord to Dispose of all affairs.
Allah is constantly vigilant. He also protects from Iblis when we seek His Protection.
-----------{Notes}:
{1} http://personalityspirituality.net/articles/the-michael-teachings/chief-features/arrogance/
{2} http://leadingfromthesandbox.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-dangers-of-arrogance-inleadership.html
{3} http://www.harunyahya.com/en/Books/961/the-arrogance-of-satan
{4} Nasr, S.H. (ed.), (2015). The Study Quran. Harper Collins