Ibn Daud - A Handbook of Spiritual Medicine

CHAPTER 4
Boasting [Tafākhur]
التَکَبُّرْ‏ [Takabbur] Arrogance [Kibr] & Pride
التَفَاخُر
الكِبْر
In a nutshell, tafākhur (boasting) and kibr (arrogance) are to willingly
and consciously regard oneself superior to others in religious or
worldly matters in a way which creates contempt in the heart for
others. What is suggested here is unhealthy glorification of the self.
For the person practising Islām, this ‘I am better than you’ mentality
is forbidden. Ironically - and perhaps fittingly – the person who
allows arrogance into their heart usually finds that other people
come to dislike him or her.
There are many forms of pride, most being subtle and creeping.
It works its way into the heart and influences the character of a
believer when he or she fails to adequately check their intentions.
Allāh says, “So do not (falsely) elevate yourselves. He knows best
who is (truly) righteous.” [An-Najm 53:32]
BOASTING,
ARROGANCE & PRIDE
The Prophet said, “Arrogance is refusing to admit the truth and
considering people inferior.” [%a#ī# Muslim 91:147, Al-*ākim 7367]
The Prophet warned against arrogance: “No one will enter
Paradise who has an atom’s weight of arrogance in his heart” [%a#ī#
Muslim 91:147, 91:149]. Similar to this is pride (or takabbur), which is to think
of oneself as being closer to perfection in attributes than others.
55