Page 72 - The Basic Concepts in the Qur’an

Serve Allah, and do not associate any partners with Him; and do good to parents,
kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbours who are near, neighbours who are
strangers, the companion by your side, the wayfarer you meet, and what your right
hands possess: for Allah does not love the arrogant, or the vainglorious.
(An-Nisa, 36)

In the Qur’an, the believers are frequently reminded to be modest and moderate. Believers
rigorously avoid arrogance since they can comprehend the verse “Allah does not love any
vainglorious boaster.” Accordingly, the Qur’an declares that modesty is the basic virtue of a
believer:
...But your Allah is One Allah: then submit your wills to Him (in Islam): and give the
good news to those who humble themselves.
(Al-Hajj, 34)

And the servants of Allah Most Gracious are those who walk on the earth in humility,
and when the ignorant address them, they say, “Peace!”
(Al-Furqan, 63)

That abode of the hereafter We shall give to those who intend no high-handedness or
mischief on earth: and the end is best for the righteous.
(Al-Qasas, 83)

Only those believe in Our signs, who, when they are recited to them, fall down in
prostration, and celebrate the praises of their Lord; nor are they ever puffed up with
pride.
(As-Sajda, 15)

This is rather an important point to consider. Whether a person believes or goes astray
entirely depends on his arrogance or modesty. The consequences of being arrogant are
explained in the following verse:

Those who behave arrogantly on the earth in defiance of right will be turned away
from My signs. Even if they see all the signs, they will not believe in them; and if they
see the way of right conduct, they will not adopt it as the way; but if they see the way
of error, that is the way they will adopt. For they have rejected Our signs, and failed to
take warning from them.
(Al-Araf, 146)

The common shortcoming in all the unbelivers of the past was their arrogance.
My Signs come to you and you rejected them: you were haughty, and became one of
those who reject faith!
(Az-Zumar, 59)

When it is said to him, “Fear Allah”, he is led by arrogance into further crime. Hell
shall be enough for him --an evil bed indeed!
(Al-Baqara, 206)

We gave Moses the Book and followed him up with a succession of messengers; We
gave Jesus, the son of Mary, clear signs and strengthened him with the Holy Spirit.Will
you then scorn each messenger whose message does not suit your fancies, charging
some with imposture and slaying others?
(Al-Baqara, 87)

The arrogant are the people of Hell who are destined to dwell there for eternity: