Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
It has not been established in the Qur’an or authentic Sunnah that Allah Almighty is described with the words “pride” or “arrogance” in this wording.
Rather, what is established for Him are the attributes of greatness, majesty, might, and supreme dominion. It is also established that He loves praise and commendation that befit Him. Therefore, it is better to restrict ourselves to the expressions found in revelation and not to regard “pride” or “arrogance” as attributes of Allah.
The subject of Allah’s names and attributes is based on revelation. No name or attribute is affirmed for Allah except with evidence from the Qur’an or authentic Sunnah.
Therefore, it is not sufficient for a person to think that a meaning is close to an established meaning and then apply to Allah a new expression that has not been mentioned in revelation.
The basic principle is that we describe Allah as He described Himself or as His Messenger ﷺ described Him, while declaring Him free of any resemblance to created beings.
Greatness is among the established attributes of Allah.
Allah Almighty says:
“And He is the Most High, the Most Great.”
[Al-Baqarah: 255]
In the hadith of intercession, Allah Almighty says:
“By My might, My majesty, My greatness, and My magnificence...”
Narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim.
The Prophet ﷺ would also say in times of distress:
“There is no god worthy of worship except Allah, the Most Great, the Forbearing. There is no god worthy of worship except Allah, Lord of the heavens and the earth, and Lord of the Mighty Throne.”
Narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim.
Allah’s greatness is perfect and absolute and does not resemble the limited greatness attributed to created beings.
Allah Almighty says:
“He is Allah, besides whom there is no deity, the Sovereign, the Most Holy, the Source of Peace, the Granter of Security, the Overseer, the Almighty, the Compeller, the Supremely Great.”
[Al-Hashr: 23]
The Prophet ﷺ used to say in his bowing:
“Glory be to the Possessor of supreme might, sovereignty, grandeur, and greatness.”
Narrated by Abu Dawud, al-Nasa’i, and Ahmad.
In reference to Allah, supreme might includes meanings of greatness, overwhelming power, authority, and perfection, all of which befit Him.
The name Al-Jabbār is one of Allah’s Beautiful Names. Scholars mention several meanings for it, including that He mends the brokenness of His servants, subdues His creation by His authority, and is the Most High, the Most Great.
Allah Almighty says:
“And to Him belongs all grandeur in the heavens and the earth, and He is the Almighty, the All-Wise.”
[Al-Jāthiyah: 37]
The Prophet ﷺ narrated from his Lord:
“Grandeur is My cloak and greatness is My garment. Whoever contends with Me concerning either of them, I will cast him into the Fire.”
Narrated by Muslim.
Grandeur in relation to Allah is perfection because He is the Perfect and Great One who possesses absolute sovereignty, dominance, and might.
As for arrogance in created beings, it is generally blameworthy because a human being is weak and created and has no right to exalt himself over Allah’s servants.
Yes. It is established in the Sunnah that Allah loves to be praised and commended in a manner befitting Him.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“No one loves praise more than Allah.”
Narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim.
It is also narrated:
“No one loves praise more than Allah, and for that reason He praised Himself.”
Narrated by al-Bukhari.
This does not resemble a person’s love of praise, which may arise from arrogance or a need for people’s approval. Allah is independent of all creation. Praising Him is simply the truth because He deserves every praise and every perfection.
People may use the word “pride” with several meanings, including self-admiration or boasting over others, and it may carry blameworthy implications.
Therefore, since there is no text establishing it as an attribute of Allah, it should not be regarded as one of His attributes.
There is no need for that in the first place because revelation has established clearer and more perfect expressions, such as:
Greatness, majesty, might, and supreme power.
Likewise, the texts relied upon in this ruling do not establish describing Allah with “arrogance.”
In common usage, arrogance is often connected with haughtiness, boasting, or a proud manner of walking or appearance, and these expressions may suggest meanings specific to created beings.
Therefore, it is better not to apply this wording to Allah and instead restrict ourselves to the attributes established by revelation.
Yes.
Allah Almighty named Himself Al-Mutakabbir, and in relation to Him this is an attribute of perfection because He is the Great One who possesses absolute perfection, exaltedness, and might.
As for a person who arrogantly looks down upon others without right, that is blameworthy because he is a weak created being who does not possess absolute perfection.
Thus, not every expression that is blameworthy for a created being is necessarily so in relation to Allah, nor is the reverse necessarily true. The reference is always the revealed text and the meaning that befits Allah.
It is not established that Allah Almighty is described with “pride” or “arrogance” because no revealed text establishes these expressions.
What is established for Him are clearer and more perfect attributes, including:
Greatness, supreme might, grandeur, and honor. It is also established that He loves praise and commendation that befit Him.
Therefore, regarding Allah’s attributes, it is better to adhere to the expressions found in the Qur’an and Sunnah and not replace them with ambiguous expressions that are not found in revelation.
And Allah knows best.