Page 88 - The Arrogance of Satan

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THE ARROGANCE OF SATAN

The Children of Israel

A close read of the Qur' an reveals that the Children of
Israel, with their ungratefulness to Allah' s gifts and blessings
frequently referred in His Book, have been remembered as
the most insolent people in history. Considering what they
had gone through in a specific course of time, it is astonishing

to see how haughty and obstinate they became, despite all
mercy and forgivingness Allah showed them.
As is known, Allah granted the Children of Israel many
blessings, and made them superior to other nations. In
return, He only asked them to "fulfil His covenant."
However, instead of showing sincere loyalty and obedience
to Allah, they disobeyed their Lord' s commands, and
wronged themselves by overstepping Allah' s limits:
… What has been sent down to you from your Lord
increases many of them in insolence and disbelief...
(Surat al-Ma' ida: 68)
... We have incited enmity and hatred between them
until the Day of Rising. Each time they kindle the fire
of war, Allah extinguishes it. They rush about the earth
corrupting it. Allah does not love corrupters. (Surat al-
Ma' ida: 64)
Allah reveals in the Qur' an that He tested this people
many times, with both blessings and difficulties.
As is known, the Children of Israel were a people bound
in servitude. Due to the tyrannical rule of Pharaoh, this
nation was condemned to centuries of slavery. The governing
system of Pharaoh was exceptionally oppressive. The
Children of Israel were at the point of despair under the

Pharaoh' s regime, who, according to the Qur' an, "let their