Page 68 - Satan: The Sworn Enemy of Mankind

SATAN: THE SWORN ENEMY OF MANKIND
tions about the details of the sacrifice to be performed. And, when
they were informed of these details, they answered "… Now you
have brought the truth… " However, the extent to which that ritual
had been distanced from its true aim, or that the Israelites had
nearly failed to comply by Allah's command, is referred to in the fol-
lowing verse "… So they sacrificed it—but they almost did not do
it." (Surat al-Baqara, 71)
The insolence of their words, "… Are you making a mockery of
us?…" (Surat al-Baqara, 67), which the Children of Israel addressed to
the Prophet Musa (as) reveal how in that instance they had been closer
to denial, in other words, to Satan, than to faith.
Underlying their errant logic was a deception provided by Satan.
Satan, who made such a simple task as the sacrificing of a cow seem
difficult, by burdening it with details, nearly succeeded in preventing
the rite from being performed. The way certain societies have come to
understand the meaning of religion has been shaped according to this
same influence of Satan's. Many are suffocated by details, under the
guise of piety to Allah, though, in truth, representing a manner of a re-
ligion far removed from the true teachings of the Qur'an.

He Encourages Extravagance
Extravagance is a characteristic of the societies where ignorance
of religion prevails. Unrestricted spending, and the boasting of it, is re-
garded as a means to prestige by an unbeliever:
He says, "I have consumed vast quantities of wealth." Does
he imagine that no one has seen him? (Surat al-Balad, 6-7)
The fact is, however, that wasteful spending is despicable, and
categorically prohibited by Allah. In a verse of the Qur'an, those re-

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