Page 69 - The Basic Concepts in the Qur’an

Immured in their vanity, such individuals live for their egos. They are undoubtedly the
ones who are most prone to evil. The following verse warns us of their deceptive approach:
There is the type of man whose speech about this world’s life may dazzle you , and
he calls Allah to bear witness to what is in his heart; yet is he the most contentious of
enemies. No sooner does he leave you than he hastens is to spread mischief
throughout the land and destroy crops and cattle. But Allah does not love mischief.
When it is said to him, “Fear Allah”, he is led by arrogance to further crime. Enough
for him is Hell, an evil bed indeed to lie on.
(Al-Baqara, 204-206)

In another verse, the attitude of those who are arrogant is stated as follows:
He hears the signs of Allah rehearsed to him, yet is obstinate and lofty, as if he had
not heard them: then announce to him a Grievous Penalty!
(Al-Jathiya, 8)

Denying what is conceived of by the soul as true is due to sheer arrogance. This is the key
to understanding the significance of pride for one’s eternal life. Displaying arrogance in this
world, one chooses a life full of grief and sorrow, both in this world and the hereafter. That is
why arrogance is the most bitter enemy of man.
The reason lying behind the straying and rebellion of Satan is also arrogance. It is
fundamentally the main reason for all types of wicked deeds. This fact is explained in the
Qur’an in the story about the deviation of satan:
Behold, your Lord said to the angels: “I am about to create man from clay. When I
have fashioned him (in due proportion) and breathed into him My spirit, fall down in
obeisance to him.” So the angels prostrated themselves, all of them together: Not so
Iblis: he was haughty, and became one of those who reject Faith.(Allah) said: “O Iblis!
What prevents you from prostrating yourself to one whom I have created with My
hands? Are you haughty? Or do you think he is beneath you?” (Iblis) said: “I am better
than he: you created me from fire, and him you created from clay.” (Allah) said:
“Then begone for you are rejected, accursed! “And My curse shall be remain on you
till the Day of Judgement.”
(Sad, 71-78)

The statements used by the Satan in the verse are startling indeed; they reflect his ill-will
and nasty temper. Satan was possessed by the groundless feeling that he was important and
hence superior to Adam. He little acknowledged that it is only Allah who exalts, dignifies or
degrades all who are created. Commanding the angels to prostrate themselves to Adam, Allah
surely rendered Adam superior to all others. No creature of understanding dares to resist the
command of Allah. Yet, Satan dared and, as a result, was cursed for all eternity.
Satan sets an evil example for those who follow his path. Satan rebel against Allah, and
also encourages others to rebel against Him. Hence, an evaluation of Satan based on the
following verse will enlighten us about how man is led astray.
Allah said: “O Iblis! what is your reason for not being among those who prostrated
themselves?” Iblis said: “I am not one to prostrate myself to man, whom You created
from dry clay, from mud moulded into shape.” Allah said: “Begone from here; for you
are rejected, accursed. “And the curse shall be on you till the day of Judgment.” Iblis
said: “O my Lord! give me then respite till the Day the dead are raised.” Allah said:
“Respite is granted to you till the Day of the Time appointed.” Iblis said: “O my Lord!
because you have put me in the wrong, I will make wrong fair-seeming to them on
the earth, and I will put them all in the wrong.
(Al-Hijr, 32-39)