How to Avoid Arrogance During Progress?

Progress and success in life, whether material or spiritual, are aspirations of every human being, and God encourages His servants to strive towards them. However, this progress is always accompanied by a significant test: the test of arrogance and pride. Arrogance is a state where an individual views themselves as superior to others, attributes blessings and successes solely to their own merit, and disregards divine favor. In the view of the Holy Quran, arrogance (kibr) is one of the greatest moral vices and a thick veil between humanity and truth, rooted in the forgetfulness of origin and destiny. The Quran explicitly warns people not to be deceived by worldly successes and to avoid being distracted from the remembrance of God and humility. The first and most fundamental way to prevent arrogance during periods of progress is a deep and constant realization that everything we possess, including our intelligence, talents, opportunities, health, and even our very breath, is entirely from the boundless grace and mercy of Allah. Our successes are not merely the result of our own abilities, but a combination of our efforts with divine decree and support. The Holy Quran repeatedly emphasizes that it is Allah who provides sustenance, Allah who grants power, and Allah who paves the way for success. Forgetting this monotheistic principle is the beginning of pride and arrogance. When a person realizes their true position, that of being a servant and a creation, and becomes aware of their limitations, there is no room left for arrogance. The story of Qarun in Surah Al-Qasas is one of the most prominent Quranic examples of this warning. Qarun became arrogant due to his immense wealth, believing he had acquired it through his own knowledge and ingenuity, but his fate became a lesson for all; Allah caused the earth to swallow him and all his treasures. This story is a strong reminder that all worldly power and wealth are transient, and true dominion belongs solely to Allah. The second important solution is continuous and heartfelt gratitude. Gratitude is not merely uttering 'Alhamdulillah' (Praise be to Allah), but entails acting upon its requirements; that is, utilizing blessings in ways that please Allah. When you are at the peak of success, it is an excellent opportunity for practical and sincere gratitude. Every step you take towards progress, every success you achieve, consider it a blessing from the Lord and express gratitude with your tongue and actions. Giving from what Allah has bestowed upon you (infaq), serving others, and showing humility towards people are clear manifestations of practical gratitude. Gratitude for blessings increases them and prevents their disappearance, whereas ingratitude and pride pave the way for their destruction. This sense of gratitude prevents you from attributing success solely to yourself and becoming conceited. Third, cultivate humility and modesty towards Allah’s creation. Arrogance is often accompanied by a condescending view of others and self-aggrandizement. The Holy Quran strongly forbids this behavior. In Surah Luqman, verse 18, Allah says: "And do not turn your cheek [in contempt] toward people and do not walk through the earth exultantly. Indeed, Allah does not like everyone self-deluded and boastful." This verse explicitly forbids both internal attitudes (self-importance) and external behaviors (walking arrogantly and turning away from people). Humility does not mean self-abasement, but rather seeing oneself in the true position of being a human and a servant. When you interact with others, respect their dignity and remember that every individual, even one who appears to be of lower status than you, might have a higher standing with Allah. Interacting with the poor and needy, and witnessing their struggles, can remind one of worldly limitations and superficial differences, thereby fostering a spirit of humility. Fourth, constantly remember Allah (dhikr) and do not forget Him. At the height of success and the busyness that comes with it, one might become heedless of Allah. Constant remembrance, both verbally and in the heart, reminds us that everything is under His will. Prayer (Salah), supplication (Dua), and recitation of the Quran are among the best tools for maintaining this connection. When you prostrate in prayer, you place your head on the ground in ultimate humility and servitude before your Lord, and this is the best antidote to pride. Remembering death and the Hereafter is also an important factor in combating arrogance. When one remembers that this world and all its successes are transient and that ultimately everyone returns to Allah, one becomes less proud of worldly attachments and temporary achievements. Fifth, seek knowledge with a divine intention. True knowledge, instead of fostering pride, cultivates humility. The more one learns, the more one realizes the vastness of what is unknown. True scholars are usually the most humble individuals because they know that human knowledge is but a drop in the boundless ocean of divine knowledge. In this pursuit, the purpose of acquiring knowledge should be to serve humanity and draw closer to Allah, not merely to attain worldly status and power. Similarly, absolute self-negation and immersing oneself in feelings of inferiority are also condemned in Islam. Humility does not mean disregarding God-given abilities; rather, it means acknowledging that these abilities are from God and have been granted to us to serve Him and His creation. In conclusion, the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the infallible Imams (AS) serves as the best model for us. At the pinnacle of power and success, they remained humble and modest, considering themselves servants of Allah. This path is a continuous journey of self-purification and steadfastness against the temptation of arrogance, protecting individuals from downfall and error at every stage of progress and helping them transform their successes into a springboard for achieving higher spiritual stations.