Is the feeling of superiority and distinctiveness over peers, while acknowledging that it is a blessing from God and without arrogance or disdain, forbidden in Islamic law and considered a form of self-admiration (ru'yat al-nafs) and conceit ('ujb)?
If a person perceives their superiority over their peers in tangible or known matters, there is no sin merely in realizing this, provided that they do not become conceited, arrogant, or belittle others, and that they acknowledge that this superiority is a blessing from Allah that can be taken away. Al-Ghazali mentioned that a knowledgeable person who is aware of their own perfection is not conceited in two situations: one, if they fear the loss of their perfection; and the other, if they rejoice in it as a blessing from Allah, not as an inherent quality of their self. They become conceited if they do not fear the loss of their perfection and rejoice in it as an inherent quality of their self, not as a gift from Allah.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Read the full answer on Ftawy