which is only possible with wealth, and that this is not arrogance.

An authentic hadith states:

“There are three to whom Allah will neither speak nor look on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He purify them, and theirs will be a painful punishment: an arrogant poor man, an elderly adulterer, and a lying king.”

Likewise, another reported hadith states:

“A man keeps exalting himself, then exalting himself, then exalting himself, until he is recorded with Allah as a tyrant, though he has authority over no one but his own household.”

These two hadiths show that some poor people are arrogant and will not enter Paradise, while some wealthy people dress well without arrogance, and Allah loves their fine appearance. Alongside this is his statement, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, in an authentic hadith:

“Allah does not look at your appearance or your wealth; rather, He looks at your hearts and your deeds.”

Related to this is what Heraclius said to Abū Sufyān: “Was it the weak among the people who followed him, or their nobles?”

He replied, “Rather, their weak.”

Heraclius said, “Such are the followers of the prophets.”

They also said to Noah:

“Shall we believe you when the lowliest follow you?”

This shows that people in positions of leadership and high social standing are less disposed to submit to worshipping and obeying Allah, because their love of leadership prevents them from doing so, unlike those who are weak and powerless. The following reported hadith—if it has been reliably preserved—conveys this meaning:

“O Allah, let me live as one of the lowly, let me die as one of the lowly, and gather me among the lowly.”

The lowly are the opposite of the arrogant. They are those who are reverently submissive to Allah, who humble themselves before His greatness, and who seek no exalted status on earth, whether they are rich or poor.