Raji Toheeb
Undoubtedly, the Holy Qur’an, being the first source of evidence in Islam never leaves anything unattended. It has reminded us endlessly and illustrated histories about how pride has caused destruction to people’s lives.
Arrogance is one of the shameful behaviors, acts of Shaitoon ( the cursed one) and indeed a path of destruction.
For us not to be among the cursed ones or those that will see the wrath of Allah, the holy Qur’an has guided and explained to us the pitiful end of the arrogant people.
The Qur’an after telling us what happened between the angels and Prophet Adam (peace be upon him). Remember, Allah commanded him to mention all the names of things, and he answered perfectly. Allah then instructed all angels including Shaitoon who had been the leader of them all before that day— to prostrate before him, and give respect to him due to the knowledge he possessed, and to glorify the name of their Lord.
Fortunately, they all obeyed the commandment of Allah except Ibliis ( Shaitoon) the arrogant who never obeyed Allah’s command. As a result, he was unranked and labeled as one of the disbelievers.
The glorious Qur’an says: “And when We said to the angels: Make obeisance to Adam they did obeisance, but Iblis (did it not). He refused and he was proud, and he was one of the unbelievers.” Q2, V34.
What of Qaroon? He was once a follower of Prophet Musa (peace be upon him)_ as the prophet seeked Allah on his behalf to bestow him(Quorum) sufficient wealth. Allah answered the prayer and since then Qoorun was boasting, opposing the will of Allah and claiming that the wealth he had was a result of his intellect.
Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) warned him tirelessly, daylight and night, but he never heed to his advice. Due to his pride he lost his wealth and became one of the losers .
According to the glorious Qur’an, Qaaron said : “I have been given this only on account of the knowledge I have. Did he not know that Allah had destroyed before him of the generations those who were mightier in strength than he and greater in assemblage? And the guilty shall not be asked about their faults.”
Should I tell you about Phyri’aon, the most disbeliever among all? His story is an evergreen for anyone who wants to learn. He even claimed to be the Lord of the universe, displayed a high rank of arrogance , named all Allah’s sign as falsehood, saying that he is the one capable of giving life, can kill whenever he wishes, and he’s the controller of the Nile river.
He killed millions of children when he was told by soothsayers that one of the inhabitants of his kingdom will give birth to a boy and this will cause destruction to his life and wealth.
At last, the truth became a reality, as Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) was brought up under his mentorship. However, after he became adult, Prophet Musa called him to embrace the Lord of lords, but pride with arrogance didn’t allow him to heed to such advice. He (Phyri’aon) and his warriors perished and became one of the causes.
Allah says: “And when We delivered you from the people of Phyri’aon who subjected you to severe torment, killing your sons and sparing your women, and in this there was a great trial from your Lord.” (Surah Al-Baqara, V 49)
The Qur’an says, giving us insight on what Phyriaon uttered: “And Phyri’aon proclaimed amongst his people: O my people! Is not the kingdom of Egypt mine? And these rivers flow beneath me; do you not then see?” .
What of Haman? He was a great architect to Phyri’aon, who built unimaginable buildings. He was ordered by his master to build a giant, tall and strong house with the aim of visiting and seeing the God of Musa; through his master, Phyri’aon, he was astrayed.
Allah says in the Qur’an : “And Firon said: O chiefs! I do not know of any god for you besides myself; therefore kindle a fire for me, O Haman, for brick, then prepare for me a lofty building so that I may obtain knowledge of Musa’s god, and most surely I think him to be one of the liars.”
“And he was unjustly proud of the land, he and his hosts, and they deemed that they would not be brought back to Us.”
“So We caught hold of him and his hosts, then We cast them into the sea, and see what was the end of the unjust.”
“And We made them Imams who call to the fire, and on the day of resurrection they shall not be assisted.”
“And We caused a curse to follow them in this world, and on the day of resurrection they shall be of those made to appear hideous.”
(suratul qasas vs 38-42)
How about Namrud? Of course, Namrud was the one who engaged in a long dispute with Prophet Ibraheem (peace be upon him) and even ordered that he should be thrown to the fire when he destroyed their idols.
He claimed that he’s capable to do everything, make the sun rise from the West and return to sleep in the East, he later be one of the astrayed beings.
Allah says: “Have you not considered him (Namrud) who disputed with Ibrahim about his Lord, because Allah had given him the kingdom? When Ibrahim said: My Lord is He who gives life and causes to die, he said: I give life and cause death. Ibrahim said: So surely Allah causes the sun to rise from the east, then make it rise from the west; thus he who disbelieved was confounded; and Allah does not guide the unjust people”. Surah Al-Baqara, Verse 258.
Prophet Muhammad (may the blessings of Allah continue to be on him) frowned at arrogance or pride. He was an humble man, free from any means of misconduct till his Lord described him as the best man in character.
For us to emulate the true lifestyle of the noble Prophet, there must not be any form of arrogance in our behavior or speech, as the popular saying goes thus “pride comes before destruction”.
Many of the prophets of Allah have subscribed to the fact that arrogance is never a good behavior, but a path to destruction.
Let’s take lessons from this piece and stay away from this act of sin. I pray that Allah will continue to guide it alright. Ameen.