Religious morality brings one into a state of submission to Allah, and submission brings knowing one’s human weaknesses into clarity. Believers who know that all things belong to Allah and recognize their weakness and poverty compared to Him naturally display modesty to other people whom He created:
The slaves of the All-Merciful are those who walk lightly on the earth and, who, when the ignorant speak to them, say, ‘Peace’; (Surat al-Furqan, 63)
Believers express their submission to Allah with the modesty they show to His servants. They are aware that none of the abilities or talents they possess belong to themselves. Because of this, they are continuously thankful to Allah and never forget that Allah can take everything back they have any moment He wishes.
Egocentrism is the main characteristic of satan’s personality. Therefore, “egocentrism” and the arrogance rooted in that are the sources of all deviations and the roots of all sorrows. As these features arrogance has not only led untold millions to eternal torment, it has also served to drag countless people to the path of satan.
All those who are egocentric, who disobey Allah by assigning a special sense to themselves, who do not accept their weaknesses before Him, who turn away from His verses have all been fooled by this game of satan.
They Know Their Weakness Against Allah
Believers are in a constant effort to comprehend and appreciate Allah’s greatness. Therefore, they know their own weaknesses as well as the weaknesses of all that is created. In stark contrast to the unbelievers’ arrogance, they fear Allah deeply and they do not hesitate to admit their weakness before our Lord:
Say: ‘I possess no power to help or harm myself, except as Allah wills. If I had had knowledge of the Unseen, I would have sought to gain much good and no evil would have touched me...." (Surat al-A‘raf, 188)
They Do Not Associate Anything With Allah
Some people set up equals to Allah, loving them as they should love Allah. But those who have faith have greater love for Allah… (Surat al-Baqara, 165)
Believers believe that there is no God but Allah with “absolute certainty .” They know that when they are in need of something, Allah is the only One Who can grant it. Therefore, they are aware that their only friend and helper is the One Who created them, the All-Sustaining. In the face of the countless blessings our Lord has granted, they submit to Him with all their hearts, and submit to Him with a sincere devotion.
They Want Not the World But the Hereafter
Believers want the Hereafter as their true home and know that everything in the life of this world is merely temporary. In the Qur’an, sincere believers are introduced as such:
We purified their sincerity through sincere remembrance of the Abode. (Surah Sâd, 46)
In addition, believers know why they came to this world; they are to be tested here and that they need to do deeds with which they can earn the good pleasure of Allah. As it is also revealed in the verses, they are the ones who "sell the life of the world for the Hereafter" (Surat an-Nisa, 74). They have chosen not to make a conspicuous display of what they have won in this world, but to be a humble and devoted servant to our Lord.
Arrogant People Do Not Appreciate Allah’s Might As Is Due
Arrogant people who want to abide eternally with their possessions, beauty, youth, reputation and everything they hold dear, cannot comprehend that Allah is the only One Who is infinite, that He is the Owner of the greatest power, the most powerful and the most superior. Therefore, they stand in defiance against Allah’s verses with an haughty demeanor.
… If only you could see those who do wrong at the time when they see the punishment, and that truly all strength belongs to Allah, and that Allah is severe in punishment. (Surat al-Baqara, 165)
They Do Not Praise Allah
One of the most important characteristics of people who feel arrogance in their inner selves is that they do not praise Allah for this means praising Allah, deifying Him, appreciating His power and might as well as seeing and confirming their own servitude and weakness. This is deeply offensive for arrogant people. Because of this, they are in a defiant spiritual condition so overwhelming that they cannot praise Allah. As a result of this, they are completely devoted to the life of this world as they are under the malevolent influence of satan; satan drags them along by deceiving them with worldly deeds and a feeling of arrogance.
Satan has gained mastery over them and made them forget the remembrance of Allah. Such people are the party of satan. No indeed! It is the party of satan who are the losers. (Surat al-Mujadala, 19)
They Do Not Show Loyalty
Religious morality requires that believers display loyalty and devotion. However, as the disbelievers only think about their own affairs and prestige, they always behave according to their own self-interests. It would be in vain to expect loyalty and devotion from an arrogant person; such people are only loyal to themselves.
... Once the matter is resolved upon, being true to Allah would be better for them. (Surah Muhammed, 21)
