How do I know if my pride is not hidden in humility?

Pride is a characteristic that can sometimes conceal itself so subtly that even the individual remains unaware of its presence, especially when it is cloaked in an outward display of humility. Discerning whether our humility is genuine or merely a mask for hidden pride requires deep self-awareness and profound Quranic insight. The Holy Quran, with its unique and penetrating understanding of human psychology, offers clear guidance for differentiating between these two states. This issue is not merely an ethical challenge but an intricate internal journey toward achieving sincerity (ikhlas) and closeness to Allah. Indeed, the ultimate goal of this self-examination is to purify the heart from any hint of self-admiration or hypocrisy and to draw ever closer to the essence of monotheism and sincere servitude to God. The first and most crucial indicator for distinguishing true humility from hidden pride is "intention" (Niyyah). The Quran consistently emphasizes the paramount importance of intention in all actions and acts of worship, for the value of any deed in the sight of Allah depends more on the sincere intention of the doer than on its outward appearance. Are our acts of humility—such as serving others, accepting criticism, avoiding self-promotion, or even seemingly small and insignificant deeds—performed with the sole aim of seeking the pleasure of Allah, or with the hidden goal of gaining people's admiration, achieving social status, or even deceiving ourselves into thinking how virtuous and good we are? If our intention is pure and exclusively for Allah, without any expectation from creation, then that humility is genuine and pleasing to the Divine. However, if there is a subtle, hidden desire for recognition, praise, or a feeling of superiority beneath it, these are the insidious roots of pride manifesting themselves in the guise of humility, thereby stripping the action of its spiritual worth. This is where the verse "And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth" (Surah Al-Bayyinah: 5) becomes paramount, commanding sincere worship for Allah alone and avoiding all forms of hidden and manifest polytheism. This purity of intention serves as a strong barrier against the infiltration of pride and hypocrisy, cleansing the heart from spiritual impurities. The second indicator is one's "reaction to criticism and advice." A truly humble person accepts constructive criticism with an open heart, even if it is bitter and unpleasant. They understand that making mistakes is an inherent part of human nature and that criticism, rather than being a threat, can be a golden opportunity for growth, correction, and spiritual elevation. Instead of defending themselves and justifying their actions, they focus on the positive intent of the critic and strive to understand and address any shortcomings. The Quran describes the servants of the Most Merciful as those who, when the ignorant address them, respond with gentleness and peace, avoiding futile arguments (Surah Al-Furqan: 63). This verse shows that a humble person not only refrains from becoming agitated by criticism but handles it with wisdom, tranquility, and dignity, even viewing it as a means of self-purification. In contrast, hidden pride causes an individual to become intensely defensive at the slightest criticism, to get angry, to start justifying their actions, or even to point fingers at others. These emotional and unconscious reactions unveil the underlying pride, even if the person appears humble and kind in normal circumstances. The third sign is one's "inner feeling towards others." Do we privately harbor feelings of superiority or arrogance towards others? Do we look down upon the weaknesses, shortcomings, or even sins of others with disdain and condemnation? Or do we recognize that every human being possesses an inherent dignity bestowed by Allah, and that we are all, regardless of race, color, social class, or even degree of piety, fundamentally servants and creations of Allah? The Quran repeatedly emphasizes the equality of humans before Allah, stating that the true criterion for superiority is solely "piety" (taqwa), not lineage, wealth, worldly status, or position (Surah Al-Hujurat: 13). A truly humble person never considers themselves superior to anyone else; instead, they constantly fear that they might have a lower standing in Allah's sight or remain oblivious to their own hidden faults and sins. They know that the ultimate judgment rests with Allah alone, and only He is aware of the inner realities of things. Even if you appear very humble outwardly and perform many good deeds, if you secretly harbor feelings of contempt, ridicule, or superiority towards others, know that hidden pride is lurking, and your humility is merely superficial. The fourth guideline is "gratitude and not attributing successes to oneself." A genuinely humble person attributes every success, blessing, and favor they attain in life to the boundless grace and generosity of Allah. They never consider themselves the sole and absolute cause of their success but always rely on Divine power, mercy, and wisdom, viewing themselves as mere instruments in the hands of His divine will. This deep spirit of gratitude protects a person from arrogance and self-admiration, constantly reminding them that everything they possess comes from the Creator. The Holy Quran repeatedly invites humanity to gratitude and warns that ingratitude and heedlessness regarding the source of blessings can lead to downfall and both worldly and otherworldly torment. The story of Qarun in the Quran is a striking example of pride and ingratitude; he attributed his immense wealth to his own knowledge and shrewdness, ultimately leading to his destruction. If someone appears humble outwardly but inwardly attributes their successes to their cleverness, extraordinary intelligence, or unique abilities, this is pride disguised as humility and requires sincere repentance and rectification. Fifth, the criterion of "ease in apologizing and admitting mistakes." A person who is truly humble, when they make a mistake or commit an error, apologizes easily and takes full responsibility for their fault. They are not concerned about their image being tarnished, because they seek true honor in the sight of Allah, not in the fleeting opinions of people. They understand that admitting a mistake is a sign of strength and integrity, not weakness. However, hidden pride makes it difficult for an individual to confess their mistakes, to justify them, or even to blame others. Stubbornly defending one's "ego" and refusing to accept the truth in the face of evidence is a clear sign of hidden pride, which hinders spiritual growth and progress. The sixth approach is "constant supplication and seeking Allah's help." One should always ask Allah Almighty to protect them from pride, self-admiration (ujb), and hypocrisy, and to grant them a humble, sincere heart, submissive to the truth. Self-admiration and arrogance are deadly spiritual diseases through which Satan himself was expelled from Allah's presence. Constantly asking Allah to be free from "kibr" (arrogance) and "ujb" and to be granted "tawadu'" (humility) and "ikhlas" (sincerity) is a sign of spiritual wakefulness, awareness, and a continuous struggle against the commanding self (nafs al-ammarah). These supplications help a person to always remain on the right path and to be freed from the hidden traps of pride. In summary, to detect hidden pride disguised as humility, we must look within ourselves, examine our intentions, monitor our reactions to others and to criticism, and constantly weigh ourselves against the profound teachings of the Quran and the luminous Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). True humility brings inner peace and tranquility and inclines the heart towards Allah, while hidden pride, even if outwardly appealing and feigning modesty, leads to inner anxiety, a superiority complex, and distance from the truth. This continuous and honest self-reflection is the best way to achieve sincerity and free oneself from the bondage of pride, ultimately leading to closeness to Allah. We must remember that Allah accepts only those deeds performed sincerely for Him, and any trace of showing off or self-exaltation diminishes their spiritual value and smacks of hypocrisy.