“And do not turn your cheek in contempt toward people, nor walk in pride through the earth. Surely, Allah loves not any arrogant boaster.”
*Surah Luqman, 31:18)
The Qur’anic Vision of Humility: A Divine Civilization
The Holy Qur’an does not merely guide human rituals; it shapes the very civilization of the soul. In Surah Luqman, the command to “not turn your cheek in contempt” transcends mere etiquette; it represents a call for a moral revolution.
Hazrat Luqman, known for his wisdom, advised his son against exhibiting pride—not just through words but also through posture and gestures. A mere tilting of the cheek or a slight air of superiority is condemned by Allah. This subtlety is divine; only the Creator of human psychology can illustrate how even the angle of one’s face can signify inner arrogance.
Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmood Ahmad (ra) elaborates in Tafsir-e-Kabir that this verse addresses not only overt, verbal arrogance but also the silent, structural behaviours that foster classism, tribalism, and social hierarchies. It denounces various invisible tyrannies, including those based on caste, race, wealth, intellect, or lineage.
Sociology and the Spirituality of Equality
Modern sociology reveals that social stratification—division by class, race, gender, or status—often begins not with laws, but with attitudes. The contempt in one’s eyes, the absence of greetings, and the denial of access are tools of oppression that endure far longer than written constitutions.
The Qur’an uproots this very seed. It commands us to reject hierarchical thinking and recognize every human being as inherently dignified. It is as if God proclaims: Before you violate human rights, you must first violate humility. Pride is the precursor to cruelty.
This is why the Prophet Muhammad (sa), the most beloved of Allah, sat with the marginalized, dined with the poor, forgave his enemies, and mingled among his people as one of them. His sunnah was not merely a code of ethics; it was a method of resistance against the disease of arrogance.
Anthropology: Arrogance and the Collapse of Civilizations
From an anthropological perspective, civilizations collapse when their elites become isolated from the masses. The Pharaohs, the Quraysh, and the Romans all fell due to their inability to connect with their own citizens.
Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad (rh) once eloquently remarked that when a society begins to worship pride, it starts to rot from within. Arrogance is a cancer at the heart of nations. Its early signs are subtle—such as gated communities, exclusive languages, or lofty titles—but its consequences can lead to social decay, revolution, or divine retribution.
In light of Surah Luqman, this verse serves not just as a spiritual reminder but also as a sociopolitical command: dismantle the structures of pride before they dismantle you.
Psychology: Pride as a Mask of Insecurity
Modern psychology unveils a profound irony: most arrogant individuals are deeply insecure. Their pride acts as a compensatory defence against feelings of inferiority. However, the Qur’an does not offer excuses; it calls for transformation, not justification.
In the Qur’anic worldview, the remedy for pride lies in remembering one’s origins:
“He created you from a sperm drop—then you turned into an open disputer.” *(Surah An-Nahl, 16:4)*
When one reflects on their humble beginnings, they cannot possibly strut upon the earth.
The Qur’an teaches a therapeutic humility—a psychological re-centering of the ego away from the self and toward God. Thus, pride is not only unethical; it is also irrational.
Political Science: Arrogance as a Tool of Tyranny
In political science, arrogance frequently transforms into the ideology of empires. Colonialism thrived on assumptions of racial and cultural superiority, and modern nationalism often harbours the same virus in more subtle forms.
Yet the Holy Qur’an universalized equality long before the U.N. Charter, stating:
“The most honourable among you in the sight of Allah is he who is most righteous.” *(Surah Al-Hujurat, 49:13)*
Therefore, Qur’anic humility is both radical and revolutionary. It dismantles the foundations of despotism by refusing to grant any individual or class a pedestal over others. This is why Islamic Khilafat when rightly guided, ensured that rulers were never symbols of fear or pomp but always servants of the people.
Hazrat Umar (ra) walking barefoot, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) carrying milk, or the Promised Messiah (as) mending his own shoes—these are not mere romantic anecdotes; they are political statements reflecting Islamic egalitarianism.
The Cheek Turned in Kindness
The verse instructs us not only to avoid turning our cheeks in pride but also to turn them toward others with gentleness, humility, and empathy. Look people in the eye, not with judgment but with compassion.
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