Page 54 - The Importance of Following the Good Word

selfishness and arrogance, are some of the Satan's efforts
against man. Arrogance when called to faith in Allah, and to
abide by the morality of the Qur'an, and putting forth instead
excuses, are also among the effects of Satan. In this way, he
strives to interfere in people's consciences and prevent them
from submitting to Allah.
What Satan demands from people is that they not obey
the voice of their conscience, and do just the contrary. He pur-
sues this furtive goal in various ways, and tries to make peo-
ple perceive amoral behavior as just and appealing. His
deceitful ruses take effect on many, ultimately making them
followers of Satan. Though, Satan does not actually exercise
any power over the believers. In Surat an-Nahl, Allah in-
forms us of this fact as follows:
He [Satan] has no authority over those who believe
and put their trust in their Lord. He only has authority
over those who take him as a friend and associate oth-
ers with Allah. (Surat an-Nahl, 99-100)
Those who follow their vain desires, and make Satan their
friend value mundane pleasures above all else. For instance,
some, although their consciences would tell them to be for-
giving towards another who had wronged them, or to speak
politely to one who had spoken harshly to them, prefer not to
forgive, and instead to answer the insult with a greater one.
According to this perverse way of thinking, to speak peev-
ishly, to ridicule another arrogantly with insulting language,
and to respond with insolence and disrespect, is to them a
sign of their own superiority. Such people do not listen to the
voice of their conscience, for they are arrogant, following the
way of Satan, and fail to obey the good word. Allah states this

52 THE IMPORTANCE OF FOLLOWING THE GOOD WORD