What does « Pride / Haughtiness » mean in the Quran?
Discover the meaning of the word Pride / Haughtiness (فخر) in the Quran, with 6 verses in which it appears, and a detailed explanation from Al-Raghib al-Asfahani's Mufradat fi gharib al-Qur'an.
فخر
Pride / Haughtiness
Root: ف - خ - ر
Quranic language 6 verses
Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM
📖 2 min read
Definition of Pride / Haughtiness
Al-Fakhr refers to boasting about things external to a person like wealth and prestige.
One says: lahu al-fakhār (he has something to boast about).
The Almighty says: 'Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting' (Al-Hadid 20).
Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good, and to relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbor, the neighbor farther away, the companion at your side, the traveler, and those whom your right hands possess. Indeed, Allah does not like those who are self-deluding and boastful.
But if We give him a taste of favor after hardship has touched him, he will surely say, "Bad times have left me." Indeed, he is exultant and boastful -
And do not turn your cheek [in contempt] toward people and do not walk through the earth exultantly. Indeed, Allah does not like everyone self-deluded and boastful.
Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children - like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris. And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and approval. And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion.
In order that you not despair over what has eluded you and not exult [in pride] over what He has given you. And Allah does not like everyone self-deluded and boastful -