Kibr
كبرDefinition
Pride or arrogance — listed by al-Dhahabi among the most spiritually dangerous major sins because it strikes at the very foundation of the relationship between creation and Creator. The Prophet defined it precisely: 'rejecting the truth and looking down on people.' It was pride that caused Iblis to refuse prostration, pride that led Pharaoh to claim divinity, pride that drives the believer to resist accepting correction or acknowledging fault. Al-Dhahabi quotes multiple hadiths warning that even an atom's weight of kibr prevents entry into Paradise — not as a threat but as a precise spiritual diagnosis: a heart that has placed itself above others has placed itself in a position that belongs only to Allah.
As understood in the classical tradition of Imam al-Ghazali and the scholars of his school.
How the scholars use Kibr.
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"He further explained that pride is not about having good sandals, a nice garment, an animal to ride, or companions to sit with. Rather, pride is rejecting the truth and looking down on people. The people of the book claim that when Noah boarded the ark, he was 600 years old, and we have mentioned a similar narration from Ibn Abbas, who added that he lived for another 350 years."
— Ibn Kathir, Volume 1 — From Creation to Mūsā
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"Through this, the servant attains the character of humility. This is why the Prophet, peace be upon him, defined arrogance as its opposite, saying: "Arrogance is rejecting the truth and looking down on people." Rejecting the truth means denying it and pushing it away, as one would push away an attacker. Looking down on people means belittling and despising them."
— Ibn al-Qayyim, Volume Two
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"Paradise." This was narrated by مُسْلِم. The Prophet, peace be upon him, also said: "Arrogance is rejecting the truth and looking down on people." اللّٰه says: "Indeed, اللّٰه does not forgive association with Him" from سُورَة النِّسَاء, indicating that He does not forgive arrogance, which is greater than associating partners with اللّٰه."
— Ibn al-Qayyim, Volume Two
Appears in
3 books in the library
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