What is the ruling on obsessive thoughts regarding self-admiration, considering acts of obedience as stemming from one's own merit rather than Allah's grace, and regarding harboring malice towards others and wishing for the cessation of their blessings? And is a person held accountable for what crosses their mind, even if it does not originate from the heart?

Arrogance (ujb) is a dangerous spiritual disease. To get rid of it, one must: recognize its seriousness, know one's own limitations and that all good comes from Allah, reflect on the lives of the righteous, understand that arrogance is a characteristic of Iblis, and continuously reflect on one's sins and seek forgiveness. As for abandoning prayers, it is a major sin that does not necessitate arrogance. Attributing sins to divine decree and attributing obedience to oneself is a deception from Satan. Envy (hasad (definition)) carries no sin unless a person acts upon it or speaks due to it. The permissible limit of envy is what remains a mere thought in the mind without any attempt to remove the blessings of the envied person.