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Allah, Most High, says,

“Moses said, “I have indeed called upon my Lord and your Lord (for protection) from every arrogant one who believes not in the Day of Account.” (Ghafir: 27)

“Verily He loveth not the arrogant.” (An-Nahl: 23)

The Prophet (pbuh) said,

“Once a man was walking along in a new set of clothes, with a swagger to his step, pleased with himself, Allah caused the earth to swallow him and he will keep sinking until the Last Day.” (Bukhari)

“Tyrants and the arrogant will be raised on the last Day as grain strewn under feet that the people will walk upon.” (Tirmidhi and Ahmad)

Arrogance, as early Muslims said, was the first fault against Allah.

Allah, the Almighty, says,

“And behold, we said to the angels: bow down to Adam: and they bowed down: not so Iblis: he refused and was haughty: he was of those who reject Faith” (Al-Baqarah: 34)

Therefore, Faith is of no avail if arrogance exists, as is Iblis.

The Messenger (pbuh) said, “Arrogance is belittling to admit the truth and considering people inferior.” (Muslim)

“Arrogance is refusing to acknowledge what is right and considering others to be inferior.” (Hakim)

“No one with the slightest particle of arrogance in his heart will enter Paradise.” (Bukhari)

Allah, the Almighty, says in the Qudsi hadith,

“Allah loveth not any arrogant boaster.” (Luqman: 18)

Allah, the Almighty, says,

“Pride is My garment and haughtiness My Mantle: whoever vies with Me for them I will throw into Hell.” (Muslim)

The Messenger (pbuh) said,

“A debate took place between heaven and hell. The latter said; in me shall enter tyrant and the arrogant people: while heaven said, “In me shall enter the weak and the lowly.” Allah decided the issue by saying, You are heaven, My mercy, through you I shall have mercy on whomsoever I please; and you are hell, a place of punishment, through you I shall chastise whomsoever I like. It is incumbent upon Me to fill both of you!” (Bukhari)

Allah, the Almighty, says,

“And swell not thy check (for pride) at men. Nor walk in insolence through the earth for Allah loveth not any arrogant boaster.” (Luqman: 18)

Salama Ibn Al-Akwa’ recounted that a man was eating with his left hand in the presence of the Prophet (pbuh). The Prophet told him,

“Eat with your right.” To which the man replied, “I cannot.” Though nothing stopped him but arrogance.

The Prophet said, “May you not be able to.” And the man could never lift his right hand to his mouth again.” (Ahmad and Al-Hakim)

“Shall I tell you who the people of the Hell-Fire are? The cruel, the haughty and the arrogant.” (Reported before)

“There are three people whom Allah will not speak to, look at or exonerate on the Day of Judgement, and who will have a painful torment: he who wears the hem of his garment low (out of pride), he who reminds recipients of his charity to them and he who sells merchandise swearing that he paid more for it than he actually did.” (Muslim, An-Nisa’i and Ibn Majah)

“What comes down the anklebones of the caftan is in Hell.” (Bukhari)

The wickedest arrogance is that of someone who exalts himself over people of his learning and gloats to himself about his superiority. The knowledge of such person is of absolutely no benefit to him. Whoever learns sacred knowledge for the sake of the next world is unsettled by his learning, his heart is humbled and his ego lowered. Such a person lies in wait for his selfishness and never gives it free rein. He constantly takes his ego to task and corrects it. Were he to neglect it, it would diverge from the right path and destroy him. The person who seeks knowledge to take pride in it or gain a position of leadership, looking disdainfully at other Muslims, thinking them fools and making light to them all this is the most enormous arrogance and no one with the slightest particle of arrogance in his heart will enter Paradise. There is no power nor might save in Allah Most High, Most Glorious.

“And Allah has made for you in your homes a place of rest…”[An-Nahl:80]

This may seem like an unusual question and your automatic response may be “Why, of course my home is an Islamic Home!! My family is Muslim and that makes our home a Muslim one!!”

Go through this short checklist to determine if your response should really be in the affirmative.

I Have Chosen a Good Spouse

There are several ahadeeth that highlight the importance of choosing a righteous and pious spouse. The wisdom of this is obvious: a pious spouse is more likely to bring happiness and contentment to the other spouse and the couple together will be more able to build a righteous family and home life. This is the foundation of the home.

I Help Guide My Spouse

This begins with each spouse fulfilling the duties and responsibilities of their roles and treating each other with kindness and compassion. It then goes beyond this to include guidance in other spiritual matters such as striving to strengthen imaan; paying attention to worship and correcting it when needed; encouraging the reading of Qur’an, praying at night, giving charity, and reading books on Islam; helping to choose pious friends; enjoining goodness and forbidding evil. Emaan is something that may increase or decrease so it is necessary to continually focus on increasing our own and that of our spouse.

Our Home is a Place for Remembrance of Allah

Remembrance can be in many forms: with the heart, with the tongue, through prayer, recitation of Qur’an, memorizing adhkaar and using them, discussing Islamic issues, or reading Islamic material. These are things that should occur on a consistent basis so that the angels will come to the home and bring Allah’s blessings. The Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wasallam, said: “The example of a home in which Allah is remembered and the example of a home in which Allah is not remembered, is like comparing the living and the dead.” (Muslim).

Our Home is a Place of Worship

This means that salah is established within the home at its required time. The family may also designate a specific area for prayer and maintain its uniqueness and cleanliness. For women, it is waajib for them to pray each prayer within the home. For men, it is recommended to pray voluntary prayers at home after having prayed obligatory prayers in the masjid. The Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wasallam, said: “The voluntary prayer in the home is better than the voluntary prayer with the people. It is like the obligatory prayer of the man in congregation being better than praying the obligatory by himself.” (Sahih al-Jaami). This is to ensure that homes are made places of worship just as the masajids.

We Regularly read Surat Al-Baqarah and Ayatul Kursi to Keep Satan Away

The Messenger of Allah, sallallahu alayhe wasallam, said: “Recite Surat Al-Baqarah in your houses, for the Satan does not enter a house in which Surat Al-Baqarah is recited.” (Sahih al-Jaami). He also said: “When you go to your bed, recite Ayatul Kursi: ‘Allah! There is no god but Him, the Ever-Living, the One Who Sustains and Protects all that exists’, to the end, for then there will remain over you a guardian from Allah, and Satan will not come near you until morning.” (Bukhari).

Teaching and Learning are Ongoing Activities in Our Home

This is primarily the responsibility of the head of the household who must ensure that he is guiding his family to the correct path, enjoining them to do good, and forbidding them from evil. Attaining knowledge is incumbent upon all members of the family and is the basis upon which Emaan will flourish; a study circle should be established in the home that covers the various areas in Islam and from which all family members will benefit. Children should especially be encouraged to participate since this will establish a pattern for them that will be carried throughout their lifetimes.

We Have an Islamic Library in Our Home

This may include such things as books, cassette tapes, and CDs. It is important to choose accurate and reliable material that will benefit the members of the family. There should be a variety of materials to cover all age levels and language needs of those in the home. Arabic material is definitely a must since everyone in the family should either know or be learning to read the language of the Qur’an. Books should cover a variety of topics, be properly organized, and be easily accessible. Audiotapes and CDs may include Qur’an recitation, lectures, khutbahs, as well as tapes for children containing supplications, and reminders of Islamic manners. Family members should encourage one another to use these materials on a regular basis, and should be shared with other Muslim families who may be in need of them.

We Try to Have Morals and Manners Like Prophet Muhammad

The Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, said; “When Allah wills some good towards the people of a household. He introduces kindness among them.” (Ahmad, Sahih al-Jaami). He also said: “Allah loves kindness and rewards it in such a way the He docs not reward for harshness or for anything else.” (Muslim). There are many examples of the Prophet’s kindness and good treatment toward his family that we should try to emulate. He was affectionate and playful with his wives and children and would help with household chores to case the burden for his wives. Following his example will bring tranquility to the home and help to truly make it an abode of rest.

We Know the Islamic Rulings That Pertain to Houses

Such as guarding the secrets of the home, seeking permission to enter, not looking into other people’s homes, not allowing children to enter the parent’s bedroom during certain times of the day, and not staying alone overnight. This last one is interesting to consider since some husbands travel for their business or work. The Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wasallam, actually discouraged this. Ibn Umar reported that the Prophet forbade being alone and said that a man should not stay overnight alone or travel alone (Ahmad). Not only will he be alone, but his wife and children are likely to be left alone in the home without any protection or companionship.

We Invite Righteous and Knowledgeable People to Our Home

“My Lord! Forgive me, and my parents, and him who enters my home as a believer, and all the believing men and women.” [71:28]. Righteous people who enter your home will bring many benefits due to their presence and conversations with them. They are more likely to discuss useful topics and may be excellent sources of information and knowledge. We should always make du’aa that Allah will bless us with righteous friends since they can have such positive effects on us. The Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wasallam, said: “Keep company with a believer only, and let your food be eaten only by the righteous.” (Abu Dawud, Tirmithi).

There are No Evils Within Our Home

Television and music are not allowed in the house; pictures on the wall do not contain animate beings; there are no statues or anything that resembles statues; dogs are not present in the house; smoking is not allowed; decorations are kept simple to avoid excessiveness; the telephone is used for beneficial purposes and not harmful ones (such as gossiping or backbiting); when people come to visit, the men and women sit separately. The effects of these evils on the sanctity of the home should be obvious. For example, the Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, said: “Angels do not enter a house which has either a dog or a picture in it.” (Bukhari).

The Physical Aspects of the Home are Conducive to Fulfilling Religious Obligations

It is best for the home to be close to a mosque so that it will be easier for men to attend the prayers in congregation and to visit the mosque for lectures, study groups, and tableegh etc… It is also advisable to find an area where other pious Muslims live to obtain the benefits of community. One should definitely be careful about close neighbors and avoid those who are obviously immoral. The house should also be constructed in such a way that purdah can be maintained easily.