February 06, 2009
Friday
Safar 10, 1430
Arrogance and a diseased mind By Sirajuddin Aziz
IF we look around ourselves today, we will find many individuals afflicted with
the disease of arrogance. The difference is only that there are varying degrees
of the disorder; some suffer from it to a large extent, others betray only
traces of it.
The wise have long diagnosed arrogance as a disease. People who are afflicted
are usually the types who are insecure or those suffering from some sort of
inferiority complex. It is the display of pride which costs them dearly in this
world and the next. Such people, Allah says, are most disliked among His
beings, even if they harbour an atom of pride in their hearts.
Islam sees arrogance as among the most despised of attributes because the
essence of its teachings delves into utmost humility in mankind. The Prophet
(PBUH) is quoted on pride: “One who possesses half a mustard seed of arrogance
in his heart shall not be granted admission to paradise; and one who possesses
half a mustard seed of faith shall not enter eternal Fire.” History is replete
with examples of personalities infested with the ills of arrogance. History
also provides us valuable lessons as evident in the stories of Satan, Nimrod,
Pharaoh and the likes of Abu Jahl. They all came to a devastating end simply
because they considered themselves worthy of all praise, and took pride in
their power, pelf and position.
On another occasion, the Prophet is reported to have said, “Whoever has an atom
of pride in his heart will not enter paradise.” The extent to which Allah
despises pride is evident from the fact that He did not consider the long
prayers of Iblis when the latter refused to bow in front of Adam. Iblis’s pride
was based on his assertion that he was created from fire while Adam was created
from clay, and that fire was superior to clay. He was punished and denied
Allah’s mercy for all times to come.
It is clearly mentioned in the Holy Quran, “Allah will put the proud to
disgrace and ill-repute (dishonour) in the hereafter.” We have examples in
front of us where Allah and his messengers have despised even an atom of
conceit. Then why as Muslims are we plagued with this menace is the question
that begs an answer. Why can’t we follow in the footsteps of revered
personalities, such as the Prophet and his companions, who despite having power
and position never let an iota of vanity cross their hearts?
Unfortunately, we have distanced ourselves from the lofty attributes of
humility enjoined by Islam. We are unaware of the joy of completing our tasks
ourselves; we consider it demeaning to run our own errands. The Prophet used to
wash his own clothes, cook his own food and even clean his own house, and had
no qualms about it; nor did he ever complain of hardship in life.
The cause of vainglory is embedded in assuming superior knowledge, wealth,
physical attractiveness, piety, family lineage, status, position and power on
one’s part. All these attributes are meaningless to Allah, for He will judge a
man or a woman on their character and conduct. One’s wealth, health, colour,
caste and creed will be utterly irrelevant on the day of resurrection; only our
deeds shall speak for us.
Allah has said, “Perish man! How thankless he is! Of what did He create him? Of
a sperm-drop. He created him and determined him, and then made the way easy for
him. Then He makes him die, buries him, and then, when He wills, raises him.”
The verse distinctly states the weakness of man, as he is brought into this
world from nothingness by the glory of the Almighty, and subsequent to his
transition from non-existence into existence.
Allah grants mankind all the blessings in this world and then eventually man
returns to a state of nothingness by the will of Allah, to be raised again on
the Day of Judgment. The entire cycle depicts the sheer helplessness of
mankind. No power except divine resolve can alter this inevitability. It makes
one wonder as to what then a sense of vanity is all about.
azizsirajud...@gmail.com
ABDUL WAHID OSMAN BELAL
