Page 90 - The Nightmare of Disbelief

they will ultimately face death, lose everything they are at-
tached to or desire, and that their beauty and bodies, about
which they are so arrogant, will decay under the soil. What
they actually value is pride. To them, pride is almost a sign of
personality.

Pride prevents them from feeling sincere love and respect
for people, since this is also a matter of pride for them. They ex-
pect respect and love from others, but they think that they will
look foolish if they reciprocate.
Those who are not bound by the principles of Islam are
"egocentric." Assuming that they know everything, they en-
deavor to keep others under control and take every opportuni-
ty to humiliate them. The most important point is that these
people are not exceptions; many people in societies where the

values of religion do not prevail are of this character.
In the Qur'an, a very delicate criterion is set out for arro-
gance:
Do not strut arrogantly about the earth. You will certainly
never split the earth apart, nor will you ever rival the moun-
tains in height. (Surat al-Isra': 37)
88
Allah reveals in another verse:
Do not treat men with scorn, and do not strut about arro-
gantly on the earth. Allah does not love anyone who is vain
or boastful. (Surah Luqman: 18)
The Prophet Muhammad (saas) also warned believers

against arrogance:
He is a bad man who is proud and puts on airs and forgets the
Most Great and Sublime One. (Muslim)

Some people may deceive themselves by saying, "I am
modest." However, modesty, as a matter of Islamic morals, has

THE NIGHTMARE OF DISBELIEF