Quranic Answer
Spiritual arrogance is one of the most subtle yet dangerous pitfalls on the path of spiritual journey and servitude to God. This type of arrogance manifests itself as a feeling of superiority over others due to one's religious practices, spiritual knowledge, or perceived spiritual status. The Holy Quran addresses this issue with great subtlety, offering practical ways to avoid it. The root cause of arrogance is self-admiration and forgetting one's true humble position before the majesty of the Creator. To avoid this destructive vice, one must turn to their heart and soul, and through deep self-awareness and reliance on God, remove the obstacles of arrogance. These strategies are not only vital for escaping spiritual pride but also for achieving true inner peace and proximity to the Divine. 1. Recognizing the Majesty of God and One's Own Insignificance: The first and most crucial step to distance oneself from spiritual arrogance is a profound understanding of the majesty and grandeur of God. When a person contemplates the infinite greatness of the Creator of the universe, His absolute power, His boundless knowledge, and His endless grace and mercy, any feeling of superiority or self-importance within them fades away. The Quran repeatedly emphasizes that humans are weak and needy creatures. Verse 37 of Surah Al-Isra states: "And do not walk upon the earth exultantly. Indeed, you will never tear the earth [apart] and you will never reach the mountains in height." This verse clearly warns humans that they possess neither the power to tear the earth apart nor the stature to reach the mountains, so why should they be arrogant? This constant reminder of humanity's subordinate position before the Divine majesty is key to combating arrogance. Every prayer, every prostration, and every recitation of "Subhan Rabbi Al-A'la wa bihamdih" (Glory be to my Lord, the Most High, and praise be to Him) is an opportunity for humility and an acknowledgment of one's insignificance before God. 2. Attributing All Goodness to Its True Source: Spiritual arrogance often stems from the delusion that one attributes their perfections and successes to themselves. However, the Holy Quran clearly states that every good and blessing that comes to a person is from Allah. "And whatever you have of favor - it is from Allah." (Surah An-Nahl, Verse 53). When a person realizes this truth—that faith, righteous deeds, knowledge, and any success in obedience are all gifts from the Almighty—there is no longer any room for arrogance. A true believer and Gnostic always attributes their achievements to divine grace and sees themselves only as a conduit for God's blessings. This perspective protects them from falling into the trap of "Ujb" (self-admiration), which is the precursor to arrogance. 3. Emulating the Humility of Prophets and Saints: The life conduct of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the immaculate Imams (AS) is full of lessons in humility. The Prophet, who was the most honorable of creation, lived with people in utmost humility, sat on the ground, ate with the poor and orphans, and considered himself merely a servant of God. This conduct serves as the best model for avoiding spiritual arrogance. The Holy Quran also refers to the prophets as humble servants of God. Humility before believers and modesty in guiding people were among their prominent characteristics. Their lives teach us that true spiritual advancement is not about exalting oneself but about elevating others, serving humanity, and recognizing the divine source of all blessings. 4. Reflecting on the Consequences of Arrogance and the Fate of the Arrogant: The Quran narrates numerous stories of arrogant nations and individuals, such as Pharaoh and Qarun, who were destroyed due to their pride. Verse 18 of Surah Luqman states: "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." These verses serve as a serious warning to those who become arrogant. Arrogance not only fosters resentment and hatred in the hearts of others but also prevents the acceptance of truth and guidance, ultimately distancing a person from divine mercy. Remembering these negative consequences can be a powerful motivator to combat arrogance. Contemplating the ultimate fate of those who defied God out of pride, such as Iblis who refused to prostrate to Adam, reinforces the understanding that pride is the greatest barrier between a creature and its Creator. 5. Constant Self-Reflection and Accountability (Muraqabah and Muhasabah): To prevent the gradual infiltration of arrogance, it is essential for an individual to be constantly vigilant and to continuously evaluate their actions and intentions. Asking oneself: "Has this act of worship or this knowledge made me arrogant? Has my gaze towards others become disdainful? Is my intention behind my actions purely for God's sake or to gain status among people?" These questions help one to identify and treat arrogance before it takes root. This continuous self-assessment, a practice known as Muhasabah (self-accounting), ensures that one's spiritual growth remains genuine and untainted by pride. It reminds the individual that the true judge of deeds is Allah alone. 6. Serving Humanity and Cultivating Anonymity: Sincere service to people and striving for anonymity, avoiding fame and praise, are other ways to combat spiritual arrogance. When a person helps others without expectation of return, solely for the pleasure of God, they purify their ego and free themselves from the traps of self-admiration. Many divine saints preferred anonymity over fame to remain safe from the affliction of arrogance. This selfless service shifts the focus from "self" to "others" and ultimately to "God," dissolving the very foundation of self-importance. 7. Remembering Death and the Hereafter: The remembrance of death and the Day of Judgment is one of the most effective factors in breaking arrogance. When a person considers the truth that one day they will leave everything behind and will only face their deeds, there is no room left for arrogance and boasting. All humans are equal before death and divine accountability, and no outward privilege is effective there, except piety and good deeds, which must also be performed with pure intention and free from arrogance. Verse 13 of Surah Al-Hujurat states: "O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted." This verse explicitly identifies piety (Taqwa) as the criterion for superiority, not lineage, wealth, or apparent knowledge and deeds. But even regarding piety, one should not become arrogant, because one is not fully aware of their inner state and the extent of their sincerity; only Allah is the All-Knowing. Remembering that one's final destination and judgment are solely in God's hands instills a profound sense of humility and dependence. Conclusion: Distancing oneself from spiritual arrogance is an ongoing inner journey that requires self-awareness, constant vigilance, reliance on God, and practical humility. By reflecting on the verses of the Quran, emulating the conduct of the infallible ones, and striving for self-purification, we can protect ourselves from this great affliction and draw closer to the reality of servitude to God. This path leads to true peace, divine pleasure, and eternal bliss. Spiritual arrogance acts like a thick veil that prevents a person from perceiving reality and witnessing divine beauty. Removing this veil requires inner courage and an acknowledgment of one's weaknesses and imperfections in the face of God's absolute perfection. The closer we draw to God, the more we feel His humility and the more we realize that everything we possess is from Him, and without Him, we are nothing.
Related Verses
وَلَا تَمْشِ فِي الْأَرْضِ مَرَحًا ۖ إِنَّكَ لَنْ تَخْرِقَ الْأَرْضَ وَلَنْ تَبْلُغَ الْجِبَالَ طُولًا
And do not walk upon the earth exultantly. Indeed, you will never tear the earth [apart] and you will never reach the mountains in height.
Al-Isra : 37
وَلَا تُصَعِّرْ خَدَّكَ لِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَمْشِ فِي الْأَرْضِ مَرَحًا ۖ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ مُخْتَالٍ فَخُورٍ
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.
Luqman : 18
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُمْ مِنْ ذَكَرٍ وَأُنْثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَاكُمْ شُعُوبًا وَقَبَائِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوا ۚ إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ
O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.
Al-Hujurat : 13
Short Story
In a time not so long ago, in a land teeming with scholars and mystics, there lived a renowned ascetic who had spent many long years in arduous worship and rigorous spiritual exercises. His name was "The Wise Devotee," and the fame of his asceticism and piety spread far and wide, echoed from mountains to plains. People recognized him for his miracles and spiritual stations, bowing before him in reverence. Whenever he entered a gathering, everyone would rise and seat him at the head. This incessant praise and boundless respect from the people gradually sowed the seeds of pride and self-admiration deep within his soul. He began to compare himself with others—those whom he perceived as praying less than him, giving less charity in the path of God, or dedicating less effort to studying and teaching religious texts. In academic assemblies and religious gatherings, he would speak of his spiritual stations, the mystical insights he had been granted, and the purity of intention he saw in his worship, all with a tone that bespoke his unquestionable superiority. His gaze upon ordinary people—the farmers, merchants, and artisans—was one of disdain; as if they were lagging behind on the spiritual path and he was the sole true seeker. This feeling isolated him from the community of believers and cast a veil between him and other servants of God. One day, the Wise Devotee walked through the bustling and noisy city market. His lavish robes and expensive turban distinguished him from others. A thoughtful expression and eyes that seemed to gaze at a horizon beyond the material world were etched on his face. People greeted him with special respect and reverence, and some even kissed his hands. He, in turn, would nod his head with a hidden pride that outwardly resembled dignified composure, and continued on his way. As he walked, in a corner of the market where the scents of spices and colorful fabrics mingled, his eyes fell upon a disheveled, simply dressed man. The man had neither luxurious clothes nor any mark of scholarship on his forehead. Yet, he had a serene face and a genuine smile on his lips. With humility and meekness, he was busy helping a frail old woman who had dropped her goods—a few skeins of yarn and some vegetables—on the ground. The man, without any pretense of greatness or expectation of reward, knelt down and meticulously and patiently helped the old woman gather her belongings and place them in her basket. The Wise Devotee looked at the man with a gaze full of judgment and reproach. He whispered to himself: "What does this simple-hearted man know of spiritual and mystical stations? These are all worldly, mundane tasks that hinder true spiritual journeying, remembrance, and contemplation. He wastes his time on such trivial matters, while I spend day and night in the prayer niche, striving for divine proximity." Pride and self-admiration had blinded his inner sight to the truth, and he was unable to see the sincerity and selfless service of that man. That night, the Wise Devotee retired to his solitude for his nightly worship. But no matter how hard he tried, he lacked concentration and presence of heart. The images of the disheveled man in the market and his serene face with a genuine smile deeply occupied his mind. A voice within him challenged him, suggesting that perhaps what he considered valuable was not the whole truth. In a dream, he found himself in a vast and endlessly beautiful garden. A garden where lush green trees bore sparkling fruits, clear streams flowed beneath the trees, and melodious birds sang delightful tunes that soothed the soul. He walked proudly in the garden and thought to himself: "This garden is undoubtedly the reward for my worship; the fruits of my years of asceticism and piety." Suddenly, he heard a voice from the unseen, a warm and pleasant voice, yet firm and awakening: "O Devotee! Do you truly know why this garden is so beautiful and vibrant?" The Devotee, still gripped by pride even in his dream, thought to himself: "Of course! It is because of my unparalleled and sincere worship, of which few like me can be found in this world." But the voice calmly continued: "No, O Devotee! You are mistaken. This garden and all its beauty are due to the drops of sweat shed by a simple and sincere man who helped others. He served God's creation with all his being, without anyone seeing him, without expecting praise, or considering himself superior to anyone. His intention was pure; he helped the poor for God's pleasure and assisted the weak out of kindness. You sought fame and recognition, while he sought anonymity. You adorned your outward appearance and endured harsh asceticism to gain status among people, but he adorned his inner self, seeing himself as a humble servant of God in solitude and considering himself small and a servant of God's creatures in public." The Wise Devotee awoke from his dream, startled, distressed, and drenched in cold sweat. A small, yet intensely bright, light of truth shone deep within his heart. He immediately remembered the disheveled man in the market; a man who, without any claims, served simply and sincerely. That man was a symbol of true humility, which the Wise Devotee had overlooked throughout all his years of worship and asceticism. He realized that spiritual arrogance is like a thick veil that covers the divine light and the truths of the world from a person's heart, preventing their true growth. All his life, he had sought to reach high spiritual stations, but he had strayed from what he mistakenly thought was the correct path, namely, through arrogance and self-admiration, and had lost his way. He understood that the value of an action lies not in its quantity or apparent grandeur, but in the sincerity and purity of intention and the humility of the heart. From that day forward, the Wise Devotee underwent a profound transformation and changed the course of his life. He no longer wore lavish robes, dressing simply instead. In gatherings, he spoke less, and if he did speak, it was about humility, the importance of serving creation, and meekness. Instead of isolating himself from people and sitting in an ivory tower of spirituality, he went among them and extended his helping hand. He held the hands of the poor, visited the sick, attended funerals, and treated everyone he met with kindness and humility, considering himself their servant. He understood that true worship is not merely confined to the corner of a prayer niche and solitude but lies in sincere service to God's servants, breaking the barrier of self-centeredness and arrogance, and placing oneself in the position of true servitude. People, witnessing this great change in him, loved and respected him more than ever before, but this time, their respect stemmed from his boundless humility and sincerity, not from his pretense and pride. He truly distanced himself from "spiritual arrogance" and drew closer to "true humility," and in this path, he found a profound and lasting peace he had never experienced during his years of pride. This story reminds us that the real value in our deeds lies not in their apparent magnitude, but in the sincerity and purity of our intentions and the humility of our heart; for only God is aware of what is hidden in the hearts.