Page 100 - Sincerity Described in the Qur'an
P. 100

98
                              SINCERITY DESCRIBED IN THE QUR’AN

                  for him! What an evil resting-place! (Surat al-Baqara:
                  206)

                  What is truly befitting a believer is to put aside his
              arrogance and lower-self, and behave according to that
              which is pleasing to Allah. The following verse reads:
                  And among the people there are some who give up
                  everything, desiring the good pleasure of Allah. Allah
                  is Ever-Gentle with His servants. (Surat al-Baqara: 207)

                  In Surat al-Qasas Allah informs us of the end met by the
              tribes who behaved haughtily towards the Messengers sent
              by Him:
                  He said, "I have only been given it because of
                  knowledge I have." Did he not know that before him
                  Allah had destroyed generations with far greater
                  strength than his and far more possessions? The
                  evildoers will not be questioned about their sins. (Surat
                  al-Qasas: 78)



                 Realizing What is Lost through Arrogance

                  It is possible to observe the damage done by arrogance on
              one’s sincerity in every phase of one’s life. One claiming to be
              superior to others is closed against all kinds of criticism,
              warning or advice coming from them. Even if the other were
              to remind him of a point he had not considered, he would be
              influenced adversely by his sense of superiority. Instead of
              surrendering to truth, he will defend his views, even if they
              are wrong. Therefore, he becomes insincere, and is ruled by
              his lower self. However, what exemplifies sincerity is to
              comply with what the other had said, and surrender without
   95   96   97   98   99   100   101   102   103   104   105