Atheists in Quran (45) their arrogance: diagnosis and treatment

This article declare three important issues about the Atheists; they are 1) How they becomes arrogant? 2) How they express their arrogance? 3) The treatment of their arrogance

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How they become arrogant?

Man habitually forgets the fact that he is a weak small creature and that whatever strength he may have does not originate from within himself, but from Allah, the source of all strength and power.

Forgetting his bond with Allah, man begins to swell and take on prides.

Arrogance, thus, begins to establish itself within the heart of human being.

On the other hand, man has an essential evident enemy, the Satan.

Satan’s job = to make man astray

Satan’s target = to lead man to hell

Satan, who doomed himself because of his arrogance, works on man to increase his arrogance knowing that through it he can bring man to deterioration.

How the Atheists express their arrogance?

The Atheist disputes Allah’s revelations even when they are clear, addressing human nature with the sort of argument that appeals to it.

The Atheist also claims to himself and others that he is only raising questions because he is not yet convinced.

However, Allah who knows the inner feelings and secret thoughts of all His creatures makes clear that all this is the result of man’s arrogance.

Such arrogance prompts man to argue and dispute Allah’s revelations over which there can be no dispute.

Such arrogance also drives man to aspire to what is beyond his status and what his nature cannot attain.

Yet he has no solid basis for such argument for it is rooted deeply in nothing but his own arrogance:

“As for those who dispute Allah’s revelations, with no authority granted to them, there is nothing in their hearts but a quest for a greatness they will never attain.” (Verse 56)

If only man would understand the truth about himself and the universe, recognizing his role and not trying to exceed it, appreciating

that he is one of countless creatures each doing their role by Allah’s will and according to His design which He alone knows, he would certainly feel relaxed, humble, living in peace with himself and with the world around him.

If man did this, he would easily and readily submit himself to Allah. He would also do this without any hesitation.

“Seek, then, refuge with Allah, for He is the One who hears all and sees all.” (Verse 56)

Seeking refuge with Allah against arrogance is indicative of how grisly it is.

The believers seek Allah’s refuge in order to escape what is ghastly, horrible and evil. Arrogance combines all these. Moreover, it is hard for the arrogant person and for those around him. It causes harm to the heart in which it stirs and to other people’s hearts.

Arrogance is an evil we should seek refuge with Allah from it.

Allah hears all and sees all.

Arrogance is manifested by visible action and/or audible words.

Therefore, it is left to Allah to decide upon it as He pleases.

Man is then told of his true position in this great universe: how small he is in comparison to some of Allah’s creatures, the great magnitude of which is readily visible and better appreciated on careful examination:

“The creation of the heavens and the earth is indeed greater than the creation of man; yet most people do not understand.” (Verse 57)

The heavens and the earth are there for man to see and to measure himself in relation to them. When he knows the reality of the proportions of distance, dimension, size and power, he reduces his pride, feels his smallness and almost disappears. He can only hold his own when he remembers the superior element Allah has granted him, and for which Allah has honored him.

A quick glance at the universe is sufficient to appreciate all this. The earth on which we live is merely a small satellite of the sun: its mass compared to the mass of the sun is no more than three to a million, while its size is one-millionth of the size of the sun. Yet the sun is only one of around billion suns our galaxy includes.

Man now knows that there are around billion such galaxies dispersed in the great expanse of the universe.

Still, what we have discovered of the universe is merely a small part; it is so great that we become dazed when we even try to imagine it. The distance between the sun and us is about 93 million miles. The sun is the head of the family of our planet earth, and most probably, the sun is the mother of the earth.

Therefore, the earth remains close to its mother, standing merely 93 million miles away from it!

The diameter of our galaxy = one hundred billion light years, with one light year measuring 5.8 billion miles, because light travels at the speed of 186,000 miles per second.

The closest galaxy to our own is around 750,000 light years away.

We may say again that these distances and dimensions are the best man’s little knowledge has determined.

Scientists acknowledge that all their discoveries cover only a small part of this great universe.

Allah says:

“The creation of the heavens and the earth is indeed greater than the creation of man; yet most people do not understand” (Verse 57) When we speak of Allah’s power and ability, the concepts of greater or smaller, harder or easier do not apply. He creates everything by a single word, ‘Be!’ The reference here is to how things appear in themselves and how people see and measure them. How does man compare to this great expanse of the universe?

How high can his arrogance take him in Allah’s great creation?

“The blind and the seeing are not equal; nor can those who believe and do good works and those who do evil be deemed equal.” (Verse 58)

The one who is able to see learns and understands, recognizing his station. He does not give himself prides, nor does he allow conceit to distort his judgment.

By contrast, a blind person cannot recognize his position in relation to his surroundings. Therefore, he misjudges his position and what is around him.

The same applies to those believers who do good works and those who do evil. The first group see things for what they are and form accurate ideas, while the other group misjudges all due to their blind ignorance. They harm themselves and others, and above all, they assign to themselves an erroneous position in relation to their environment.

They are blind, for true blindness is that of the mind:

“How seldom you reflect.” (Verse 58)

Had we reflected, we would have known. The whole thing is clear, needing only some reflection before it becomes very apparent.

If only we would remember the hereafter, be certain of its coming, reflect on our position then and recall how we will then stand

“The Last Hour is sure to come: of this there is no doubt. Yet most people will not believe.” (Verse 59)

Because they do not believe, they argue and give themselves prides; they do not submit to the truth and do not limit themselves to their rightful position.

The treatment of their arrogance

Addressing our worship to Allah, praying and appealing to Him, are all means to cure hearts of arrogance, which is the evil that leads people to dispute His revelations and signs without any clear evidence.

Allah opens the door for us to address and pray to Him. He tells us that He has committed Himself to respond to those who pray to Him, warning those who are too proud that they will suffer total humiliation:

“Your Lord says: Call on Me, and I shall answer you. Those who are too proud to worship Me shall enter hell humiliated.” (Verse 60)

Supplication and prayer must observe certain manners.

• Hearts must be totally dedicated to Allah,
• Be sure that He will answer our prayer.
• We must not suggest a particular form, time, or circumstance for answering it. To make such a suggestion is improper when appealing to Allah. We should be clear in our minds that it is a blessing that we address our prayers to Allah, and that His response is another blessing.

Those who are too proud to pray to Allah and appeal to Him deserve their just reward, which leads them to enter hell in total humiliation.

Such is the fitting end of the arrogance that fills some hearts in this small planet and short life, forgetting the greatness of Allah’s creation, let alone His own greatness. It is suitable requital for forgetting the Last Hour, which will inevitably come.

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The verses 40:56-60 in different translations:

QARIB:

56- (As for) those who dispute the verses of Allah without authority having been given to them, there is nothing in their chests but pride; that, they shall never attain. therefore seek refuge in Allah, surely, he is the hearer, the seer.

57-Indeed, the creation of heavens and earth is greater than the creation of mankind, yet most people do not know.

58-The blind and the seeing are not equal, nor are those who believe and do good works, and the wrongdoer yet you seldom reflect.

59-There is no doubt that the hour is coming, yet most people do not believe.

60-Your Lord has said: ‘call on me and i will answer you. those who are too proud to worship me shall enter gehenna utterly abject. ‘

SHAKIR:

56-Surely (as for) those who dispute about the communications of Allah without any authority that has come to them, there is naught in their breasts but (a desire) to become great which they shall never attain to; therefore seek refuge in Allah, surely he is the hearing, the seeing

57-Certainly, the creation of the heavens and the earth is greater than the creation of the men, but most people do not know

58-And the blind and the seeing are not alike, nor those who believe and do good and the evil-doer; little is it that you are mindful

59-Most surely, the hour is coming, there is no doubt therein, but most people do not believe

60-And your Lord says: call upon me, i will answer you; surely those who are too proud for my service shall soon enter hell abased

PICKTHAL:

56-Lo! Those who wrangle concerning the revelations of Allah without a warrant having come unto them, there is naught else in their breasts save pride which they will never attain. So take thou refuge in Allah. lo! he, only he, is the hearer, the seer.

57-Assuredly, the creation of the heavens and the earth is greater than the creation of mankind; but most of mankind know not.

58-And the blind man and the seer are not equal, neither are those who believe and do good works (equal with) the evil-doer. little do ye reflect!

59-Lo! The hour is surely coming, there is no doubt thereof; yet most of mankind believe not.

60-And your Lord hath said: pray unto me and i will hear your prayer. lo! those who scorn my service, they will enter hell, disgraced.

YUSUFALI:

56-Those who dispute about the signs of Allah without any authority bestowed on them,- there is nothing in their breasts but (the quest of) greatness, which they shall never attain to: seek refuge, then, in Allah: it is he who hears and sees (all things).

57-Assuredly, the creation of the heavens and the earth is a greater (matter) than the creation of men: yet most men understand not.

58-Not equal are the blind and those who (clearly) see: nor are (equal) those who believe and work deeds of righteousness, and those who do evil. little do ye learn by admonition!

59-The hour will certainly come: therein is no doubt: yet most men believe not.

60-And your Lord says: “call on me; i will answer your (prayer): but those who are too arrogant to serve me will surely find themselves in hell – in humiliation!”

Atheists in Quran (38) a Biology Challenge for them

In this article, the Quran challenges, with a great BiologicalChallenge, not only the Atheists but also the entire Humankind on the face of the Earth. Moreover, since the challenge is not yet accepted, the Quran tells the Atheists and disbelievers: you have no right to be proud since you are as weak as flies.

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The Quran is the first book on the face of Earth that challenges the Entire Humankind with a great Scientific Contest that is valid until now and shamefully none accepted it.

How ScientificallyDeficit are Human beings?

The verse 22:73 makes an influential, universal declaration that all the deities, which people worship and appeal for help are weak and powerless. The Quran presents an active and fascinating scene to illustrate their weakness:

O Humankind. An aphorism is set forth; hearken, then, Listen to it.

“Those beings whom you invoke instead of Allah cannot create a fly, even though they were to join all their forces to that end. If a fly robs them of anything, they cannot rescue it from the fly! Weak indeed is the seeker, and weak the sought!” (Verse 73)

The address herein is universal, it includes everyone anywhere in the world, and the declaration is loud and clear: “Humankind!”

When people gathered to listen, they are told that they are about to be given a statement of a general principle, not a particular case applicable on a certain occasion.

“An aphorism is set forth; hearken, then, listen to it.”

It is a statement of addressing fact that is applied in all situations

“Those beings whom you invoke instead of Allah cannot create a fly, even though they were to join all their forces to that end.”

All false deities, whether they be

• Idols
• Statues,
• Human beings,
• Traditions,
• Values,
• Animals
• Sun
• Moon
• Planets
• Stars
• Desire as in case of Atheists,
• Ego as in case of Atheists,
• Etc.

All false deities, to whom you appeal for support and with whom you seek to achieve satisfaction, victory and high esteem, are incapable of creating a fly, even if they:

• Muster all their forces,
• Utilize all their knowledge and machines and
• Conduit all their resources into one supreme effort.

In general, creation of living creature is impossible for anyone other than Allah.

Indeed, the creation of a mere fly, that small and abject creature, challenges all the harnessed powers of such false gods.

Creating a fly is just as impossible as creating a camel or an elephant, because the fly also demonstrates the great secret of life.

Hence, the Quran places a fly on the same level as camels and elephants, with regard to its miraculous creation.

The Quranic aphorism, however, cites the case of a little, insignificant fly in order to generate a more profound feeling of powerlessness.

The verse adds another dimension in describing their powerlessness:

“If a fly robs them of anything, they cannot rescue it from him!”

False deities, be they idols, humans or Ego cannot retrieve anything from a fly when it robs them of it. Flies can rob people of that which is precious indeed. At the same time, a fly carries microbes of some very serious diseases, such as tuberculosis, typhoid, dysentery and conjunctivitis. It can deprive a person of his eyes or other organs, or indeed deprive him of his life.

A weak and contemptible fly can rob a human being of what he can never retrieve.

Here again you realize how the Quran uses Scientific facts in the most effective way.

This effective image affirming a clear aphorism concludes with a simple comment:

“Weak indeed is the seeker, and weak the sought!”

This comment further emphasizes the effects generated by the verse as a whole.

At this moment when we realize how weak and contemptible these false deities are, the verse 22:74 condemns the unbelievers for their defective concept of Allah, clearly stating Allah’s power:

“No true understanding of Allah have they. Allah is certainly Most Powerful, Almighty.”

• They do not esteem Allah with the esteem He deserves
• They do not magnify Allah, as He deserves to be magnified
• No one knows His measure save He.
• No one can recognize Him as is worthy of Him save He

How could they understand Allah, as He really is, when they associate with Him such powerless deities that cannot even create a fly?

What understanding of Allah have they, when they see His highly sophisticated creation and yet they consider as equal to Him beings that cannot create even a little fly?

They even invoke such powerless creatures which cannot retrieve anything flies take away from them, instead of invoking Allah.

This is a damning comment at a point that should arouse feelings of submission to Allah alone.

Now, why Allah choose a fly not a camel in this Scientific Challenge?

The Arabs used a fly to express ignorance; they used to say in their parables, “this is more ignorant than a fly”

Therefore, this Scientific Challenge told the Atheists among the Arabs “do not be more ignorant than a fly.

Nevertheless, this Scientific Challenge is still valid for not only the Atheists but for the entire Humankind on the face of the Earth.

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The verses 22:73-74 in different translations:

QARIB:

73- People, this is a parable, listen to it. Those whom you call upon, other than Allah, could never create a fly, though they banded together to do this. And if a fly robs them of anything, they could never rescue it from it. The seeker and the sought are alike in their weakness.

74- They do not value Allah as he should be valued. For Allah is powerful and mighty.

SHAKIR:

73- O people! a parable is set forth, therefore listen to it: surely those whom you call upon besides Allah cannot create fly, though they should all gather for it, and should the fly snatch away anything from them, they could not take it back from i weak are the invoker and the invoked

74- They have not estimated Allah with the estimation that i due to him; most surely, Allah is strong, mighty

PICKTHAL:

73- O mankind! a similitude is coined, so pay ye heed to it: lo! Those on whom ye call beside Allah will never create a fly though they combine together for the purpose. And if the fly took something from them, they could not rescue it from it. so weak are (both) the seeker and the sought!

74- They measure not Allah his rightful measure. lo! Allah is strong, almighty.

YUSUFALI:

73- O men! Here is a parable set forth! Listen to it! Those on whom, besides Allah, ye call, cannot create (even) a fly, if they all met together for the purpose! And if the fly should snatch away anything from them, they would have no power to release it from the fly. Feeble are those who petition and those whom they petition!

74- No just estimate have they made of Allah: for Allah is he who is strong and able to carry out his will.

Atheists in Quran (9) how they are in Catastrophes

Do not the Atheists know that if Allah will, He Can make the earth swallow them or Let fragments from the heaven fall on them and thus destroy all of them

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In the previous articles (1-8), we have seen that the problem of the Atheists is that they are full of pride; this leads to:

• Their god = their egos
• They are heedless
• They are not scientific-minded
• They contend with falsehood
• They mockingly disputed their messengers aiming to invalidate Allah’s message.

The verses 34:7-9 uncover their status saying:

The Atheists mockingly say to their followers especially the lowly among people in order to provoke disbelief [in them]:

• Shall we show you a man (the Prophet Muhammad) who will inform you that when you have been utterly torn to pieces (in graves) you shall indeed be created anew?
• Shall we show you a man who will tell you (that) when you have become dispersed in dust with most complete dispersal such that the skin and bones are separated from each other, (still, even then), Muhammad claims you will be created anew and came to life again
• Has he invented a lie against God, in this respect, or
• Is there a madness in him
• Does Muhammad suffer a dementia because of which he has imagined that?

Allah, exalted be He, says:

Nay, but those who do not believe in the Hereafter, those who disbelieve in resurrection after death, are in torment and will be in the chastisement in the Hereafter; they are in far error from the Truth and guidance in the life of this world.

1) Have they not observed Allah’ signs in heavens and earth.

2) How they are in Catastrophes

3) Do not the Atheists know that if Allah will, He:

• Can make the earth swallow them
• Let fragments from the heaven fall on them
• and thus destroy all the Atheists

Surely, in that, there is a sign for every penitent servant, turning back to his Lord, the Almighty Creator.

Such signs indicate Allah’s power to resurrect and to do what He will.

Such signs is a lesson for every servant who turns to Allah repentant, asking for His forgiveness.

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The verses 34:7-9 in different translations:

QARIB:

7-The unbelievers say: ‘shall we direct you to a man who will tell you that when you have been utterly torn into pieces you will be raised in a new creation?’

8-What, has he forged a lie about Allah, or is he mad! ‘No, those who do not believe in the everlasting life are in the punishment and in far error.

9-Have they not seen what is before them and behind them in heaven and earth? if we willed, we would make the earth swallow them up, or we would let lumps from heaven fall down on them. Surely, there is a sign in this for every penitent worshiper.

SHAKIR:

7-And those who disbelieve say: shall we point out to you a man who informs you that when you are scattered the utmost scattering you shall then be most surely (raised) in (to) a new creation?

8-He has forged a lie against Allah or there is madness in him. nay! Those who do not believe in the hereafter are in torment and in great error

9-Do they not then consider what is before them and what is behind them of the heaven and the earth? if we please we will make them disappear in the land or bring down upon them a portion from the heaven; most surely there is a sign in this for every servant turning (to Allah)

PICKTHAL:

7-Those who disbelieve say: shall we show you a man who will tell you (that) when ye have become dispersed in dust with most complete dispersal still, even then, ye will be created anew?

8-Hath he invented a lie concerning Allah, or is there in him a madness? Nay, but those who disbelieve in the hereafter are in torment and far error.

9-Have they not observed what is before them and what is behind them of the sky and the earth? if we will, we can make the earth swallow them, or cause obliteration from the sky to fall on them. lo! Herein surely is a portent for every slave who turneth (to Allah) repentant.

YUSUFALI:

7-The unbelievers say (in ridicule): “shall we point out to you a man that will tell you, when ye are all scattered to pieces in disintegration, that ye shall (then be raised) in a new creation?

8-“Has he invented a falsehood against Allah, or has a spirit (seized) him?”- Nay, it is those who believe not in the hereafter, that are in (real) penalty, and in farthest error.

9-See they not what is before them and behind them, of the sky and the earth? if we wished, we could cause the earth to swallow them up, or cause a piece of the sky to fall upon them. verily in this is a sign for every devotee that turns to Allah (in repentance)