Explanation of Riyad us- Saaliheen: Chapter on Prohibtion of Arrogance & Self-Conciet

Arrogance is of two types: Arrogance toward the truth and arrogance toward people. The Prophet (sallahu alayhi wassallam) clarified both in his statement, “Arrogance is to regret the truth and belittle the people”

The meaning behind the statement, “Reject the Truth” is to discard it, be averse to it, and to deny it, and the meaning behind the statement “Belittle the People” is to disparage and disdain them, and deem people to be of no worth, seeing oneself above them.

It was said to one man, ‘What do you think of the people?” He said, “I don’t view them in any way except as flies.” So it is said to him, “Indeed they don’t think of you in any was except the same.”