Tribalism, Hard-heartedness, and Arrogance
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The Quran mentions tribalism and prejudice: “When those who disbelieved had put in their hearts chauvinism—the chauvinism of the Age of Ignorance” (Surah Al-Fath, 26). A person becomes prejudiced when they blindly side with members of their own race, group, or tribe, at the expense of justice and fairness, and especially at the expense of Islamic brotherhood.
The Quran also states: “And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favor of Allah upon you—when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favor, brothers. And you were on the edge of a pit of the Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that you may be guided” (Surah Aal-Imran, 103).
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The prejudiced individual is characterized, at all times and places, by harshness, arrogance, and haughtiness toward others. Based on my personal perspective and drawing from my life experiences with certain individuals prone to tribalism—especially those with harsh dispositions—there are logical indicators that link the condition of prejudice with traits such as harshness (callousness), arrogance, and haughtiness in a person’s character. These include the following:
- The harsh-tempered person becomes prejudiced: When harshness and cruelty become entrenched in one’s heart for any reason, their fate is to immerse themselves in blind prejudice. In contrast, the psychologically and morally sound, and religiously upright individual, remains gentle-tempered and tolerant toward all people, especially members of their own faith.
- The prejudiced person and the inevitability of arrogance: When someone becomes prejudiced—whether racially, sectarily, or group-based—a sense of superiority develops in their narrow-minded view toward those who differ from them. As stated in the noble Prophetic tradition: “Arrogance is rejecting the truth and belittling others.” The prejudiced individual looks down on others because they perceive them as less valuable, while forgetting that the most honored people in Islam are those most conscious of Allah, the Exalted. They also ignore the possibility that others may be closer to pleasing Allah.
- One who bows in humility does not become arrogant toward Allah’s servants: I firmly believe that whoever sincerely bows in prayer before the Lord, the Exalted, will never be prejudiced. Conversely, whoever prays without genuine humility allows whispers of Satan to infiltrate their heart. The humble worshipper, who remembers during prostration that they are bowing before their Creator, protects themselves against the evils of blind prejudice.
A Kuwaiti writer
