Page 57 - Satan: The Sworn Enemy of Mankind

Satan's Tactics

solely according to the will of Allah, then he will be deluded by the
suggestions made by Satan effecting in him pride.
Satan will also employ other tactics to this end. For instance,
when a believer commits a mistake, then, the task of other believers
is to reproach the believer in question sympathetically, not forget-
ting that the offender is merely a powerless servant like themselves,
because Satan will encourage feelings of anger or contempt towards
him. Anyone who despises a believer for having committed an error,
or for any other reason, is beginning to fall under the influence of
Satan's desire to make him think himself superior.
If that errant perception persists, the person will eventually be-
come arrogant, while any feelings of affection and compassion to-
wards other believers will diminish. The end result is one who is
unto himself, refuses to accept others' advice before acting, and who
regards himself as superior in intelligence to other believers. Then,
the insinuations that he ought to regard himself as superior increase,
further confirming for him his false sense of superiority. Severe
detriment can be caused to the faith of one who succumbs to such a
state of mind. At some later time, as revealed in the Qur'an, his heart
will shut itself off to the signs of Allah:
The people who truly do believe in Our Signs are those
who fall to the ground prostrating when they are reminded
of them, and glorify their Lord with praise, and are not ar-
rogant. (Surat as-Sajda, 15)
As we should learn from this verse, only those who are humble
can acknowledge the signs of Allah. It is impossible for one who is
arrogant, presuming himself superior to others, to grasp the signifi-
cance of these signs.

55