Page 25 - The Arrogance of Satan

23
Causes Of Arrogance

with such examples. Despite being aware of these examples,
those who make their status and prestige a matter of pride
simply lack wisdom, since these are the worldly values that
are esteemed by certain people, and which are things of this

world. A person who is well-off, for instance, is generally
respected by only his employees. Alternatively, a statesman
is known and appreciated only by the people of that country.
Even if a person succeeds in earning the appreciation and
respect of all the people in the world-though this is unlikely-
this fact is unalterable. The mere truth is, those who respect
him are ordinary people, and this is not ever-lasting.
The unalterable truth of the life of this world is this:
Whether one is poor or wealthy, beautiful or ugly, one will
one day be wrapped in a simple shroud and placed in grave.
Anything belonging to this world will no longer be of any
benefit to him. He will be reduced to bones, and nothing else.
At that point in time, one' s status, profession, power or
beauty will lose all its significance, and a person will be
questioned solely based on his obedience to Allah. One' s
attitudes in this world, and his wholehearted submission to
his Lord, will be the determining criteria for one' s position in
the life of the hereafter. The Qur' an here informs us about the
future awaiting these people in the hereafter:

Abandon those who have turned their religion into a
game and a diversion and who have been deluded by
the life of the world. Remind by it lest a person is
delivered up to destruction for what he has earned with
no protector or intercessor besides Allah. Were he to
offer every kind of compensation, it would not be
accepted from him. Such people are delivered up to