_Imām Ibn Qudāmah -rahimahullāh-_
Said:
*PHASES OF THE CALAMITIES OF ARROGANCE.*
Know verily that, the devout worshippers and the ‘Ulamā are of different stages regarding the setbacks of pride.
*First Stage.*
This is when the arrogance is only attached to the heart and it is not apparently seen. Thus, such a person sees himself better than others deeply in his heart but outwardly, he is humble and gentle to them.
Therefore, this person has a deep rooted tree of pride established in his heart, though he was able to cut away its branches.
*Second Stage.*
This is when the arrogance is apparently noticed in his acts by feeling proud on others during sitting, wanting to be presented first before his colleagues and age mates, and making inkar on whosoever doesn’t recognize his status.
Thus, in this case, one sees a scholar turning away his face from people in contempt, a devout worshipper turning away his face from them as if he found dirt with them, and all these two set of people are ignorant of what Allah Ta’āla mentioned of good attribute of his Rasūl salallāhu ālayhi wasallam when He said:
_وَاخْفِضْ جَنَاحَكَ لِمَنِ اتَّبَعَكَ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ_
_And be kind to him who follows you amongst the believers._
Suratu Ash-shu’arah, verse 215.
*Third Stage.*
This shows arrogance with his tongue like advocating his status publicly and being proud with it, purifying himself, being proud with good progeny and he belittles those who lacks such good lineage even though they may be better than him in good acts.
Ibn ‘Abbās Radiyallāhu anhu said:
_A man said to another person: I am more superior than you, whereas no one is better than the other except with At-Taqwah._
Allāh Ta’āla said:
_إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ…_
_Verily, the most superior of you with Allah is the one who is most careful of his duty..,_
*Suratu Al Hujrāt, verse 13.*
In addition, being proud with wealth, beauty, power, much followers, and the likes. Arrogance with wealth is common amongst kings, business men and the rich people.
While being proud with beauty is common amongst women and this makes them to belittle, slander and point to the errors of others. As for being proud with followers and helpers, it is common amongst kings, ‘Ulamā.
In summary, Whatever may be considered as a perfection, even though a person may not posses such perfection, then it is possible to feel proud due to it, even a fāsiq used to be proud with drinking of beer and committing atrocities, because he considered such act as a form of perfection in his regard.
Allāhu A’alam! Bārakallāhu fīkum!
*4th Safar,1438H.*
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