Page 71 - The Basic Concepts in the Qur’an

shall give it to those who intend neither high-handedness nor mischief on this earth:
and the righteous shall have a blessed end.
(Al-Qasas, 76-83)

Just as the verse above suggests, Qarun - and people of his ilk believe they are given
favours simply because certain traits they possess make them the deserving of them. They either
forget or wholly deny that those traits are in reality, the blessings of Allah.
The statement of Qarun: “This has been given to me because of a certain knowledge
which I have” is a manifestation of this attitude. Such a person is apt to “exult,” as mentioned in
the above verses. This is basically why we witness self-important and overbearing attitudes in
people when they attain success, prosperity and power. Such are essentially the individuals
who presume themselves to be the “beloved servants of Allah”:
Man does not weary of asking for good things, but when evil befalls him, he gives up
all hope and is lost in despair. When we give him a taste of some Mercy from Ourself,
after some adversity has touched him, he is sure to say, “This is due to my merit: Do
not think that the hour of judgment will ever become; but if I am brought back to my
Lord, I have much good stored in His sight!” But We will show the unbelievers the
truth of all that they did, and We shall give them the taste of a severe penalty.
(Fussilat, 49-50)

Those who conduct themselves with an air of superiority and constantly praise themselves,
are referred to as follows in the Qur'an:

Have you not seen those who claim sanctity for themselves? Allah sanctities whom
He pleases. But never will they fail to receive justice in the least little thing.
(An-Nisa, 49)

Believers, on the other hand, never feel sure being of exactly the type of person who, in
the eyes of Allah, deserves to attain heaven. That is why, the believers pray to their Lord both
“in fear and hope” (As-Sajda, 16). They turn to Allah and pray.” Defend us from the torment of
the Fire!” (Al-Baqara, 201); “Let not our hearts deviate now after You have guided us” (Al-
Imran, 8); “Take our souls to You as Muslims who bow to Your will!” (Al-Araf, 126). Out of
sheer arrogance a man assumes himself to be one who is deserving of paradise. Yet, arrogance
is the greatest hindrance to one’s eternal salvation, “for Allah does not love the vainglorious
boaster.”
(Al-Hadid, 23)

The theme of “arrogance” is frequently taken up in the Qur’an. The following verses call
upon man repeatedly to avoid arrogance:
Nor walk on the earth with insolence: for you cannot rend the earth asunder, nor
reach the mountains in height.
(Al-Isra, 37)

Do not turn your cheek in scorn toward people, nor walk in insolence on the earth;
for Allah does not love any arrogant boaster.
(Luqman, 18)

No misfortune can happen on earth or in your own souls but is in a book before we
bring it into existence; surely that is easy to Allah: so that you may not despair over
goods things you miss nor exult over favours bestowed upon you. For Allah does not
love any vainglorious boaster.
(Al-Hadid, 22-23)