Page 40 - The Importance of Following the Good Word

have sent angels down. We never heard of anything
like this among our ancestors, the earlier peoples."
(Surat al-Muminun, 24)
According to this errant logic, as mentioned in these
verses, for one to summon another to faith, he ought to be en-
dowed with certain superior qualities, far beyond any
human frailties or flaws. Messengers responded to these ex-
cuses offered by the disbelievers as follows:
Their Messengers said to them, "We are nothing but
human beings like yourselves. But Allah shows favor to
any of His servants He wills. It is not for us to bring you
an authority except by Allah's permission. So let the be-
lievers put their trust in Allah." (Surah Ibrahim, 11)
Another consequence of arrogance is failure to accept that
the other may be more intelligent, and better able to make ap-
propriate decisions. Still though, such people consider them-
selves more intelligent than all others. However, those who
possess this evil trait, which we may define as, "adoring their
own minds," are obviously steeped in ingorance. They resist
every opinion, even though they may be beneficial. They can-
not even bear some minor criticism. Because they adore their
own way of thinking, they remain deaf and blind to every re-
minder. However, as Allah says, "… We raise the rank of
anyone We will. Over everyone with knowledge is one
more knowing." (Surah Yusuf, 76)
Considering that there are others who may be more intel-
ligent than he, a person ought to remain open to other opin-
ions. However, such criticisms and warnings must be in full
agreement with the Qur'an. Because, comments offered by
those who are ignorant of the religion will necessarily be in

38 THE IMPORTANCE OF FOLLOWING THE GOOD WORD