Allah does not like the arrogant

The Arabic word "Istakbara" means considers himself higher in rank and status than other people, therefore a person deserves a special position. It also expresses exaggeration in arrogance and using all possible means with the purpose of arrogance.

The word "Mustakbirin" came in the Glorious Qur'an to indicate those who refuse to single out Allah with divinity. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: "Your Ilâh (God) is One Ilâh (God — Allâh, none has the right to be worshipped but He). But for those who believe not in the Hereafter, their hearts deny (the faith in the Oneness of Allâh), and they are proud. * Certainly, Allah knows what they conceal and what they reveal. Truly, He likes not the proud." [Surat An-Nahl: 22 - 23].

So, the arrogant refuse to worship Allah (may His Majesty be glorified), therefore their punishment in the world is that Allah does not love them as penalty is part of deeds. Perhaps, the first of these arrogant is Satan when he refused to comply to the commands of Allah (may His Majesty be glorified) in prostration to Adam out of reverence and dignity. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: "And (remember) when We said to the angels: "Prostrate yourselves before Adam." And they prostrated except Iblîs (Satan), he refused and was proud and was one of the disbelievers (disobedient to Allâh)." [Surat Al Baqarah: 34].

As for the human examples of the arrogant people —which Allah (may His Majesty be glorified) does not like in the Glorious Qur'an— is Pharaoh. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: "Fir'aun (Pharaoh) said: "O chiefs! I know not that you have an ilâh (a god) other than me. So kindle for me (a fire), O Hâmân, to bake (bricks out of) clay, and set up for me a Sarh (a lofty tower, or palace) in order that I may look at (or look for) the Ilâh (God) of Mûsâ (Moses); and verily, I think that he [Mûsâ (Moses)] is one of the liars."" And he and his hosts were arrogant in the land, without right, and they thought that they would never return to Us." [Surat Al Qasas: 38 - 39].

Allah (Exalted be He) says: "The Messiah will never be proud to reject to be a slave of Allâh, nor the angels who are the near (to Allâh). And whosoever rejects His worship and is proud, then He will gather them all together to Himself." [Surat An-Nisa': 172].

It is worth noting that the arrogant whom the Glorious Qur'an mentions are those who refuse to worship Allah (may His Majesty be glorified) because arrogance filled their heads and hearts, whereas "Al Mutakabirin" [i.e., the arrogant] may just show haughtiness against people without denying the divinity of Allah (may His Majesty be glorified). It is worth noting that both "Takabur" and "Istikbar" are both dispraised qualities in all cases because their source is one which is haughtiness.

The Qur'anic context came to show that the arrogant shall enter from all the gates of Hell-Fire unlike other types of people who deserve Hell-Fire. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: "So enter the gates of Hell, to abide therein, and indeed, what an evil abode will be for the arrogant." [Surat An-Nahl: 29].

Allah (Exalted be He) says: "It will be said (to them): Enter you the gates of Hell, to abide therein. And (indeed) what an evil abode of the arrogant!" [Surat Az-Zumar: 72].

Ibn Kathir (may Allah bestow mercy on his soul) said in his Tafsir commenting on Allah's Saying: "But as for those who refused His worship and were proud." [Surat An-Nisa': 173], i.e., refused to obey Allah and worship Him. "He will punish them with a painful torment. And they will not find for themselves besides Allâh any protector or helper." [Surat An-Nisa': 173].

Such as His Saying: "Those who scorn My worship [i.e. do not invoke Me, and do not believe in My Oneness, (Islamic Monotheism)] they will surely enter Hell in humiliation!" [Surat Ghafir: 60] i.e., mean and vile as they refused to subject to Alalh. [1]

Likewise, the Qur'anic context came with different forms in Allah's Saying: "Those who dispute about the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah, without any authority that has come to them, it is greatly hateful and disgusting to Allah and to those who believe. Thus does Allah seal up the heart of every arrogant, tyrant. (So they cannot guide themselves to the Right Path)." [Surat Ghafir: 35].

When haughtiness is one of the heart diseases which may fill the heart, and when the heart becomes arrogant, bodily organs follow it because the heart is the leader. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Both legal and illegal things are obvious, and in between them are (suspicious) doubtful matters. So whoever forsakes those doubtful things lest he may commit a sin, will definitely avoid what is clearly illegal; and whoever indulges in these (suspicious) doubtful things bravely, is likely to commit what is clearly illegal. Sins are Allah's Hima (i.e. private pasture) and whoever pastures (his sheep) near it, is likely to get in it at any moment."[2]

The corruption of the heart is to be filled with arrogance then it is followed by the corruption of bodily organs, therefore a person deserves to enter Hell-Fire from any gate of Hell.

Arrogance is the reason for a person to hate the believers and fall into a serious matter which is loving the unbelievers and hating the believers. Hence, a haughty person may become an enemy to Islam and to believers which is one of the grievous matters that incur Allah's Wrath. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: "Verily, you will find the strongest among men in enmity to the believers (Muslims) the Jews and those who are Al-Mushrikun, and you will find the nearest in love to the believers (Muslims) those who say: We are Christians. That is because amongst them are priests and monks, and they are not proud." [Surat Al Ma'idah: 82].

So, the standard of love and hatred for the sake of Allah is decided by this Ayah which is: Enmity for the believers comes from arrogance, and showing intimacy to disbelievers emerges from humbleness.

One of the serious dangers of haughtiness is that having a small portion of it may lead to Hell-Fire. Ibn Mas`ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "He who has, in his heart, an atom's weight of arrogance will not enter Paradise. A man said: "What about that a person likes fine dress and fine shoes?" The Messenger (peace be upon him) said: Verily, Allah is Graceful and He loves Grace. Pride amounts to disclaiming truth out of self-esteem, and despising people."[3]

The meaning of disclaiming the truth is repelling it.