An arrogant person is the one who acts as if he is superior, more worthy and more important than the others. Arrogance is the blamable characteristic of a person that Allah disliked the most. It is hard to laugh or enjoy oneself in their presence. Arrogance is not an inherited personality trait. Instead, it is almost always an unconscious manifestation of low self-esteem. People who live in a state of pride and deception inhabit a dark internal world. Allah says:

وَجَحَدُوا بِهَا وَاسْتَيْقَنَتْهَا أَنفُسُهُمْ ظُلْمًا وَعُلُوًّا فَانظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الْمُفْسِدِينَ

“And they rejected them, though were convinced with themselves, (out of) injustice and haughtiness. So see how was (the) end (of) the corrupters.” (Surah An-Naml 27:14)

Arrogance is a double-edged sword, it can help you attract a few fans but on the other hand, it will fill the hearts of other people who surround you with hatred. Arrogant people’s behaviour is always intended to make them appear more valuable and superior in the eyes of other people. For this reason, they have an excessive fear of making mistakes. They seek to ingratiate themselves with others for which reason they keep every moment under control and are careful to behave in a determined manner at all times. Allah says:

وَلَا تُصَعِّرْ خَدَّكَ لِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَمْشِ فِي الْأَرْضِ مَرَحًا إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ مُخْتَالٍ فَخُورٍ 

“And do not turn your face away from people in contempt, nor go about in the land exulting overmuch; surely Allah does not love any self-conceited boaster.” (Surah Luqman 31:18)

The arrogant people are always “on tenterhooks.” They think they will never make a mistake. An arrogant person, who leads his entire life under undue stress, actually causes great harm to his body. Arrogance demands constant apprehension. After all, no one likes someone to treat him arrogantly. Arrogance is an unfortunate form of mental self-defence. Over an extended period of time, this causes tension and stress on the human body.

Here are some chief features, arrogance involves the following components:

1. Arrogance assume vain and wishful thoughts in his mind
2. Arrogance is one of the most unpleasant human nature
3. Arrogance enjoy a kind of supremacy over others
4. Arrogance  constant fear and sense of insecurity
5. Arrogance live in the feeling of self-importance 
6. Arrogance consider oneself better than others
7. Arrogance hide one’s own feeling of inferiority
8. Arrogance excessive desire to receive praise
9. Arrogance leads his entire life under stress
10. Arrogance feel everything they do is fine
11. Arrogance visit there feels he is better
12. Arrogance is a double-edged sword
13. Arrogant people criticize others quickly
14. Arrogance like someone walking behind him
15. Arrogance only talk to deserve their attention
16. Arrogance usually speak loudly, are stubborn
17. Arrogance’s favourite subject is about himself
18. Arrogance has problems creating relationships
19. Arrogance behaviour is as old as human nature
20. Arrogance intolerant of those who are not like them
21. Arrogance is a mental state causing self-admiration
22. Arrogance wants nothing more than to be respected

Arrogant people imagine that every characteristic they possess belongs to them. Arrogant people live in a constant state of discomfort due to which they never find peace in life.

How to deal with arrogance?

• If they say anything hurtful to you, tell them
• Don’t keep it bottled up
• Point out that what he says is his opinion
• He interrupts and only talks about himself
• If he says something arrogant, don’t be afraid to tell him
• They tend to be so attentive to themselves that they don’t even realize the damage they do to others
• Have compassion and patience with an arrogant person, because they don’t really know how to act in any other way

يَسْمَعُ آيَاتِ اللَّهِ تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ يُصِرُّ مُسْتَكْبِرًا كَأَن لَّمْ يَسْمَعْهَا فَبَشِّرْهُ بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ

“Who hears (the) Verses (of) Allah recited to him, then persists arrogantly as if not he heard them. So give him tidings (of) a punishment painful.” (Surah Al-Jathiyah 45:8)

Tips for an arrogant person

• Understand and accept that others have their own views, which may be very different from yours
• Sometimes it’s scary to recognize our weaknesses because we feel vulnerable and it’s normal
• Cultivate your self-esteem. You don’t need to despise others or dominate them to feel valid
• We’re all valuable. Go to a professional if you don’t know how to stop your arrogance
• Just because you did something great doesn’t mean you’re better than anyone else
• You have your flaws like everyone else, and that doesn’t make you a bad person
• No one has the absolute truth
• Requires excessive admiration
• Shows arrogant, haughty behaviours or attitudes
• Having different opinions can be very enriching
• Don’t despise others because they think differently
• Listen to what they have to say, they may surprise you
• Lacks empathy: is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others.
• Is interpersonally exploitative, i.e., takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends
• Has a sense of entitlement, i.e., unreasonable expectations of especially favourable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations
• He believes that he or she is ‘special’ and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions)
• But if we don’t recognize them and confront them, we will end up alone, isolated, with no one to count on

بَلَىٰ قَدْ جَاءَتْكَ آيَاتِي فَكَذَّبْتَ بِهَا وَاسْتَكْبَرْتَ وَكُنتَ مِنَ الْكَافِرِينَ

“Yes, verily came to you My Verses, but you denied them and were arrogant, and you were among the disbelievers.” (Surah Az-Zumar 39:59)

If Allah has provided and showered his blessings upon us He can even take them away from the same way. Who knows, the things on which we are proud today might be taken away from us tomorrow. Thus, it proves that the feeling of pride is a disease that paralyzes our soul and cripples our moral health to maintain a balanced life on the earth.

In the Holly, Qur’an Allah Almighty has stated that Arrogance:

• “… truly He likes not the proud.” (Quran, 16:23)
• “he said: I give life and cause death…” (Al-Baqarah 2:258)
• “Then he said: I am your lord, the highest.” (An-Naziat 79:24)
• “Is there not in Hell an abode for the proud?” (Az-Zumar 39:60)
• “O You who believe! Do not violate the signs appointed by Allah…” (Al-Maida 5:2)
• “He refused and he was proud, and he was one of the Unbelievers.” (Al-Baqarah 2:34)
• “Thus does Allah set a seal over the heart of every proud, haughty one.” (Ghafīr 40: 35)
• ”And do not walk upon the earth exultantly. Indeed, you will never tear the earth [apart], and you will never reach the mountains in height.” (Quran 17:37)

We should constantly make an effort to overcome its adverse effects. Allah has revealed in one verse that He does not love the arrogant. Basically, the more we really know ourselves and know Allah, the less we are a victim of arrogance and pride. Lost in the pursuit of being seen as superior puts him under great pressure, the traces of which it is possible to discern in his physical body. Allah says:

وَالَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا وَاسْتَكْبَرُوا عَنْهَا أُولَٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ 

“But those who reject Our signs and treat them with Arrogance,- they are companions of the Fire, to dwell therein (forever).” (Surah Al-Araf, 7:36)

A Muslim must always realize the real status and position in this world and know that the universe does not only revolve around dreams, fame, achievements, and success. We all very well know that whatever we have in this world is from Allah, and it is neither a punishment nor an honour, but a test in this world. Allah says:

وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُ اتَّقِ اللَّهَ أَخَذَتْهُ الْعِزَّةُ بِالْإِثْمِ فَحَسْبُهُ جَهَنَّمُ وَلَبِئْسَ الْمِهَادُ

“And when it is said to him “Consciously revere Allah,” takes him (his) pride to [the] sins. Then enough for him (is) Hell – [and] surely an evil [the] resting-place.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:206)

Hence, the facial expressions and the moods of an arrogant person vary greatly from that of a modest one. A pitch-black world is full of a sincere dread of losing, making a mistake, being disgraced or humiliated, stress, doubt, hatred, anger, and passion. The test of a trial is whether we continue and go on doing good, or turn our backs from Allah and go astray.  Allah says:

وَلَا تُصَعِّرْ خَدَّكَ لِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَمْشِ فِي الْأَرْضِ مَرَحًا إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ مُخْتَالٍ فَخُورٍ 

“And do not avert your face from people out of haughtiness and do not strut about arrogantly on the Earth. Allah does not love anyone who is vain or boastful.” (Surah Luqman [31:18)

However then, Satan poses an inconspicuous attack that gives birth to those extremely dangerous hidden shortcomings such as pride and arrogance. Being humble is one of the secrets of success although it is hard on the soul. One should also know that our greatest role model is our Beloved Prophet (saw), who is the greatest of all human beings, and His greatness lies in being the most humble and modest servant of Allah (saw). May Allah Almighty keep us all away from this disease of arrogance and pride! Ameen