Nevertheless, many Muslims have become arrogant because of the things they have gained in the world. Most of all, they are conceited about their wealth, power, and knowledge; for I have seen various classes among them, and I have found none more arrogant than people of wealth, power, and knowledge.

[The Arrogance of People of Knowledge]

Rather, their scholars are more arrogant than their wealthy and powerful; because Muslims’ respect and flattery toward them are greater, to the extent that it has misled them about themselves and caused them to fall into the illusion that they are superior to others. However, the basis of superiority in Islam is not knowledge, but piety; as Allah Almighty has said: ﴿إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ﴾[1]; “Indeed, the most esteemed among you in the sight of Allah is the most pious among you,” and it is clear that many scholars are not pious. Some of them envy some others, whereas Allah Almighty has said: ﴿أَمْ يَحْسُدُونَ النَّاسَ عَلَى مَا آتَاهُمُ اللَّهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ﴾[2]; “Or they envy people for what Allah has given them of His grace.” Some of them seek superiority over some others, whereas Allah Almighty has said: ﴿تِلْكَ الدَّارُ الْآخِرَةُ نَجْعَلُهَا لِلَّذِينَ لَا يُرِيدُونَ عُلُوًّا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فَسَادًا ۚ وَالْعَاقِبَةُ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ﴾[3]; “That abode of the Hereafter We assign to those who do not seek superiority or corruption on the Earth. And the (good) end belongs to the pious.” Some of them conceal the truth and sell it for a small price, whereas Allah Almighty has said: ﴿إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَكْتُمُونَ مَا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ وَيَشْتَرُونَ بِهِ ثَمَنًا قَلِيلًا ۙ أُولَئِكَ مَا يَأْكُلُونَ فِي بُطُونِهِمْ إِلَّا النَّارَ وَلَا يُكَلِّمُهُمُ اللَّهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَلَا يُزَكِّيهِمْ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ﴾[4]; “Indeed, those who conceal what Allah has revealed of the Book and sell it for a small price—they consume nothing but fire in their bellies, and Allah will not speak to them on the Day of Judgment, nor will He purify them, and for them is a painful punishment.” Some of them do not prevent Muslims from holding false beliefs and committing forbidden deeds, whereas Allah Almighty has said: