and deems them abundant.

Self-admiration, then, relates to one’s deeds, whereas arrogance resides in the self; both arrogance and self-admiration are blameworthy traits.

Arrogance is of two kinds: arrogance toward the truth and arrogance toward people. The Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—clarified them when he said: “Arrogance is rejecting the truth and belittling people.” Rejecting the truth means turning away from it, refusing and not accepting it. Belittling people means despising and scorning them, counting them as nothing while seeing oneself above them.

A man was once asked, “How do you see people?” He replied, “I see them as nothing but mosquitoes.” It was said to him, “Then they see you the same.”

Another was asked, “How do you see people?” He said, “I see people as greater than I am; they possess dignity and rank.” It was said to him, “They likewise see you as greater than themselves and grant you dignity and standing.”

Thus, however you regard people, they will regard you in the same way. If you treat them with honor, reverence, and respect, giving each his due station, they will recognize that and treat you with honor, reverence, and respect, granting you your station—and the opposite holds true as well.

As for rejecting the truth, it is to turn it back, for a person not to accept it but to refuse and repel it out of self-conceit and pride in his own opinion, so that—Allah’s refuge is sought—he considers himself greater than the truth. The sign of this is that