What did al-Ghazali say about pride (kibr)?
Kibr is the sin that sent Iblis out of Paradise. Al-Ghazali wrote about it as the subtlest of the destructive traits — the one that hides from the very person who holds it.
10 passages from 6 books in the library
Al-Ghazali treated pride (kibr) as among the gravest destructive traits, devoting his Book of the Condemnation of Pride and Conceit to it. He explains that arrogance requires both someone to be arrogant toward and something to be arrogant with, and that inner conceit (ʿujb) breeds internal arrogance, which then shows itself in outward deeds and speech. He lists its degrees and dangers alongside vanity and boasting, and in the Book of Knowledge condemns those who despise people through pride. True pride, he notes, lies only in genuine virtue, not in lineage or display.
Drawn from the classical sources below — in the scholars' own words.
The classical approach.
These passages are drawn from 6 books by Imam al-Ghazali, Imam al-Dhahabī, Ibn al-Qayyim, and Ibn Kathir — part of the classical Sunni tradition that carries over a thousand years of reflection on the Qurʾān, the authentic Sunnah, and the consensus of the early community. Nothing below is a paraphrase. The words are the scholars' own, translated from the original Arabic manuscripts.
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
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"- The degrees of arrogance. - The causes of arrogance. - The traits of the humble. - The manifestations of pride. - The treatment of pride. The condemnation of pride is clear in the Quran. Allah has denounced it in several places, saying, "I will turn away from My signs those who are arrogant in the land without right," and "Thus does Allah seal every heart of an arrogant tyrant."
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"Explanation of the condemnation of conceit and its harms. Explanation of the true nature of conceit and self-importance, and their limits. Explanation of the remedy for conceit in general. Explanation of the categories of conceit and detailing its treatment. Explanation of the Condemnation of Conceit and its Harms Know that conceit is reprehensible in the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger, peace be upon him."
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"Know that pride arises from the causes by which one becomes arrogant, as we have mentioned. One might also take pride in something that does not lead to arrogance, such as taking pride in mistaken opinion beautified by one's ignorance. There are eight categories of what causes pride: The first is being proud of one's physical form—its beauty, shape, health, strength, symmetry, handsome appearance, and pleasant voice."
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"Arrogance develops when one attributes a rank to oneself and another, believing one's rank to be higher. This belief inflates self-regard, leading to pride and satisfaction, which then translates into arrogance. The Prophet, peace be upon him, warned against arrogance, saying, "I seek refuge from the puff of arrogance," and also stated, "He who has an atom's weight of arrogance in his heart will not enter Paradise.""
13th–14th century · Damascus, Syria
Siyar Aʿlām al-Nubalāʾ — the monumental biographical dictionary of Islamic scholarship, from the companions of the Prophet ﷺ through al-Dhahabī's own era. A working-scholar reference used for seven centuries.
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"If you see an oppressor acting unjustly, sleep for him, for perhaps he will be taken by night like a locust in the great body. Chapter The Great Sin of Pride Pride, arrogance, vanity, and conceit are all condemned. Allah the Exalted said, And Moses said, I seek refuge in my Lord and your Lord from every arrogant one who does not believe in the Day of Reckoning."
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"love. Forgive us our parents and the Muslims. The fifth major sin the lengthening of garments. The fifth major sin is the trailing of garments clothing and trousers out of pride arrogance and vanity. Allah the Exalted said and do not walk upon the earth exultantly. Indeed Allah does not like every self-deluded boastful person. The Prophet peace be upon him said whatever is below the ankles of the garment is in the fire. He also said Allah does not look at the one who drags his garment out of arrogance. Furthermore he stated three people will not be spoken to by Allah on the day of resurrection nor will he look"
14th century · Damascus, Syria
Madārij al-Sālikīn — the classical map of the spiritual journey — and a vast body of work on the soul, love, the traps of the ego, and the nature of the heart.
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"And the signs of wretchedness are that whenever he increases in knowledge, he increases in arrogance and conceit; and whenever he increases in works, he increases in pride, in contempt for people, and in a good opinion of himself; and whenever he increases in years, he increases in greed; and whenever he increases in wealth, he increases in miserliness and withholding; and whenever he increases in rank and standing, he increases in arrogance and conceit."
14th century · Damascus, Syria
Madārij al-Sālikīn — the classical map of the spiritual journey — and a vast body of work on the soul, love, the traps of the ego, and the nature of the heart.
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"and the innermost being of the servant rejoices at what has come to them from their Master and Protector. When this ecstasy intensifies, it flows with the river of pride, distinguishing them from their peers with what اللّٰه has specially granted them. This pride may also refer to their pride over Satan, which is a commendable pride, a joy and pride over him."
14th century · Damascus, Syria
Madārij al-Sālikīn — the classical map of the spiritual journey — and a vast body of work on the soul, love, the traps of the ego, and the nature of the heart.
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"and no one oppresses another." اِبْن مَسْعُود narrated that the Messenger of اللّٰه said: "No one will enter Paradise who has an atom's weight of pride in his heart." In both صَحِيحَيْن, it is narrated: "Shall I not inform you of the people of Hell? Every harsh, greedy, and arrogant person." In the حَدِيث of the argument between Paradise and Hell, it is mentioned: "Hell said: 'Why is it that only the tyrants and the arrogant enter me?' And Paradise said: 'Why is it that only the weak and the humble among people enter me?'" In صَحِيح مُسْلِم, it is narrated that the Messenger of اللّٰه said: "اللّٰه, the Almighty, says: 'Pride is My cloak and greatness is My robe."
14th century · Bosra, Syria
Monumental history Al-Bidāyah wa al-Nihāyah, the world's most widely read Qurʾanic commentary, and the classical Stories of the Prophets.
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"they turned their cheeks in disdain we would stand firm against it. Amr ibn Huyayy al-Tamimi also said and when the tyrant turned his cheek away we stood up against his arrogance. Furthermore Allah says and do not walk upon the earth exultantly. Indeed Allah does not like every self-deluded boaster from Surah Luqman. This verse warns against walking with arrogance and pride as if one is superior to others. Allah has also said and do not walk upon the earth in arrogance. Indeed you will never tear the earth apart and you will never reach the mountains in height from Surah al-Isra. This means that your speed in"
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