كبر ← تواضع
From Arrogance to Humility
Arrogance → Humility
You are here. Allah's guidance reaches you here.
Qur'an
وَلَا تُصَعِّرْ خَدَّكَ لِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَمْشِ فِي الْأَرْضِ مَرَحًا ۖ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ مُخْتَالٍ فَخُورٍ وَاقْصِدْ فِي مَشْيِكَ وَاغْضُضْ مِن صَوْتِكَ ۚ إِنَّ أَنكَرَ الْأَصْوَاتِ لَصَوْتُ الْحَمِيرِ
“Do not turn your cheek away from people in contempt, nor walk upon the earth exultantly. Indeed, Allah does not love every self-deluded boaster. Be moderate in your walk and lower your voice. Indeed, the harshest of sounds is the braying of donkeys.”
Sūrat Luqmān (31:18–19)
Personal Reflection
Arrogance does not always appear as loud words or obvious pride. Sometimes it hides quietly... in believing we are always right, in refusing to listen, in looking down on others, or in forgetting that every blessing we possess is a gift from Allah. Humility is not thinking less of ourselves. It is remembering that everything good we have begins with Him. The more we recognize our dependence upon Allah, the more gently we begin to walk through His creation. Humility is not weakness. It is the quiet strength of a heart that knows its Lord.
This is the author's own contemplation. It is not tafsīr.
Insight from Tafsīr al-Mīzān
Allamah Tabataba'i explains that Luqmān's advice is not merely about outward manners, but about the condition of the heart from which those manners arise.
Arrogance reveals itself through contempt for others, boastful behaviour, and self-importance. The Qur'an therefore teaches humility not only in what we believe, but in how we carry ourselves, how we speak, and how we interact with people.
The command to walk with moderation and lower one's voice reflects an inner state of humility before Allah. Outward character is a mirror of the heart, and true humility naturally appears in one's conduct.
The verse reminds us that Allah does not love arrogance because it causes a person to forget their dependence upon Him and to elevate themselves above His creation. Humility, by contrast, is the natural character of one who recognizes every blessing comes from Allah.
Tafsīr al-Mīzān, commentary on Surah Luqmān (31:18–19)
almizan.orgGuidance from the Ahlulbayt
“Humility is that you are pleased to sit in a place lower than your rank, that you greet everyone you meet, that you abandon argument even when you are right, and that you dislike being praised for your piety.”
— Imam Jaʿfar al-Ṣādiq (peace be upon him)
Al-Kāfī, Volume 2, Book of Faith and Disbelief, Chapter Humility, Hadith 6 · https://thaqalayn.net/hadith/2/1/123/6
Du'a
رَبِّ أَوْزِعْنِي أَنْ أَشْكُرَ نِعْمَتَكَ الَّتِي أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيَّ وَعَلَىٰ وَالِدَيَّ وَأَنْ أَعْمَلَ صَالِحًا تَرْضَاهُ وَأَدْخِلْنِي بِرَحْمَتِكَ فِي عِبَادِكَ الصَّالِحِينَ
“My Lord, inspire me to be grateful for Your blessing which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and to do righteousness that pleases You. Admit me, by Your mercy, among Your righteous servants.”
Surah al-Naml (27:19)
One step forward
Today, choose one act of humility that no one expects from you.
Offer the greeting first, listen without interrupting, or quietly serve someone without seeking recognition.
Let your actions remind your heart that every blessing comes from Allah.
Journal Reflection
Where in my life do I find it hardest to remember that every blessing is from Allah?
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