Pride is to reject truth, belittle people

📖Sunan Abī Dāwūd 4092
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Arrogance is one who disregards the truth and looks down upon people.”

Description:
The Prophet ﷺ defined arrogance (kibr) not by appearance, clothing, or wealth – but by two deadly traits: rejecting the truth when it reaches you, and belittling others. This shows that arrogance is more dangerous than external sins like drinking or immorality, because arrogance blocks repentance itself. A sinner who admits his sin may repent, but an arrogant person denies it and shuts the door of guidance.

Examples of arrogance in action:

• A person who knows porn, adultery, and immorality are destructive, but arrogantly refuses to accept the reality.
• A person who ignores the obligation of helping the poor, despite knowing the truth.
• A person who rejects justice in family or society out of pride.
• A person who refuses to accept advice, thinking he is always right.
• A person who mocks others’ efforts in religion while feeling superior.
• A person who looks down on the needy, the weak, or even other nations.

Such arrogance is worse than the sin itself, because it combines pride with denial of Allah’s command.

Quranic Context:

📖Quran 7:146
I will turn away from My signs those who are arrogant upon the earth without right. And if they should see every sign, they will not believe in it. And if they see the way of guidance, they will not adopt it as a way. But if they see the way of error, they will adopt it as a way. That is because they denied Our signs and they were heedless of them.

📖Quran 31:18
And do not turn your face away from people in pride, nor walk in arrogance upon the earth. Surely Allah does not like the arrogant and boastful.

📖Quran 16:23
Indeed, Allah does not like the arrogant.

Arrogance is thus a disease of the heart – worse than the visible sins – because it kills humility, blocks repentance, and distances a person from Allah’s mercy.