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!”

Angels in Islam (35) the curse of the Angels

The Angels love what Allah loves and curse what Allah curses.The disbelievers have merited total banishment from the Truth and from the world of the Angelic realm.

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The meanings of the verses 2:161=162:

But those who disbelieve, and die while they are disbelievers in Allah and His Messenger are veiled from religion and from the Truth

Upon them shall be:

1)    The curse of Allah

2)    The curse of the Angels

3)    The curse of people altogether,

That is, they deserve such a curse in this life and in the next;

People here is said to be people in general. The believers curse the disbelievers in the life of this world; and, both the believers and the disbelievers will curse the disbelievers in the Afterlife.

It is interesting to know that the friendship of the disbelievers in the life of this world will change to enmity in the Afterlife so that the friendly disbelievers will curse each other in the Afterlife.

In the Afterlife, they are Abiding and ever dwell therein in this curse and in the Eternal Fire.

The chastisement shall not be lightened for them, not even for a blink of an eye,

The doom will not be lifted or reduced, neither will they be reprieved.

Their torment will not be deferred.

No respite shall be given them, in which to have time to repent or to excuse themselves.

It follows that:

The Angels love what Allah loves.

The Angels curse what Allah curses.

The disbelievers have merited total distance, privation, banishment from the Truth and from the world of the Angelic realm.

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The verses 2:161-162 in different translations:

QARIB:

But those who disbelieve, and die disbelieving shall incur the curse of Allah, the Angels, and all people. They are there (in the fire) for eternity neither shall the punishment be lightened for them; nor shall they be given respite.

SHAKIR:

Surely those who disbelieve and die while they are disbelievers, these it is on whom is the curse of Allah and the Angels and men all; abiding in it; their chastisement shall not be lightened nor shall they be given respite

PICKTHAL:

Lo! Those who disbelieve, and die while they are disbelievers; on them is the curse of Allah and of Angels and of men combined. They ever dwell therein. The doom will not be lightened for them, neither will they be reprieved.

YUSUFALI:

Those who reject faith, and die rejecting, – on them is Allah’s curse, and the curse of Angels, and of all mankind; they will abide therein: their penalty will not be lightened, nor will respite be their (lot).

Angels in Islam (17) their speed is 98 billion times faster than the Speed of Light

The Angels speed is 97,766,160,000 Times faster than the Speed of Light and 977,616 Times faster than the Spooky Quantum Action.

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The speed of light is about 300,000 kilometers/second (it is exactly 299,792 kilometers/second)

So, if you travel with the speed of light, you can go from the Earth to the Moon in one second and from the Earth to the Sun in eight minutes.

However, the successful researches of NASA proved that the photons travel faster than the speed of light

A team of international scientists demonstrate Three-Way Quantum Communication that is faster than the Speed of Light.

Spooky (Ghostly) Quantum Action Is 10,000 Times Faster than Light

And this is –so far- the fastest speed ever known.

 

On the other hand, the most distant star that can be seen by man is the star Deneb

This star is located about 1550 light years away from Earth.

This distance = 1550 X 365 X 24 X 60 X 60 X 300,000 = 611,010,000,000,000 kilometers = 611 trillion kilometers

It is the most distant star man can ever see.

 

According to the Islamic teaching, Allah is far above all of His creatures and far above our our imagination, our mind, and our thoughts.

The star Deneb is one of Allah’s creatures.

It is well known that the Great Honored Angel, Gabriel (Gabriel (Jibreel)) is the messenger between Allah and the Prophet Muhammad; he used to convey the verses of the Quran from Allah to the Prophet Muhammad throughout a period of 23 years.

Hypothetically, if we assume that Gabriel is located nearby the star Deneb; then it was happened many times that an enquirer(s) had just completed a question to the Prophet and Gabriel would bring the answer from Allah in few seconds!

This happened may times; a man is asking the Prophet Muhammad and Gabriel brings the answer from Allah in few seconds (let us say in 5 seconds)

Then, the Hypothetical distance of 1550 light years away from Earth = 5 second by the Angels’ speed.

So, the Angels speed is far above our imagination, our mind, and our thoughts.

Accordingly, the Angels speed is 97,766,160,000 Times Faster than Light

And, the Angels speed is 977,616 Times faster than the Spooky Quantum Action

As a matter of fact, Gabriel – while he is above the Heavens nearby Allah – is more far away than the star Deneb.

 

This is one of many miraculous examples of Allah’s creation.

The verse 31:11 says according to different translations:

QARIB:

Such is the creation of Allah; now show me what, other than him, created! No, the harm doers are in clear error.

SHAKIR:

This is Allah’s creation, but show me what those besides him have created. Nay, the unjust are in manifest error

PICKTHAL:

This is the creation of Allah. Now show me that which those (ye worship) beside him have created. Nay, but the wrong-doers are in error manifest!

YUSUFALI:

Such is the creation of Allah: now show me what is there that others besides him have created: nay, but the transgressors are in manifest error.

Angels in Islam (5) the Arabs and the 19 Angels

Another Angel is as big as 34 million men

In the previous article, we have seen that the length of an angel is about 574,875,000 kilometers. i.e. more than 500 million kilometers (more than half a billion kilometers).

If one man’s average shoulder width is like 17-18 inches wide i.e. 44.45 cm then the length of a line formed by a thousand men stick together shoulder by shoulder is 0.4445 kilometer.

Again, the length a hypothetical line formed by One Million men stick together shoulder by shoulder is 444.5 kilometers.

Further, the length a hypothetical line formed by One Billion men stick together shoulder by shoulder is 444,500 kilometers.

And, the length a hypothetical line formed by One Trillion men stick together shoulder by shoulder is 444,500,000 kilometers.

Therefore, the length of an Angel is equal to a hypothetical line formed by 1.3 trillion men stick together shoulder by shoulder.

In the previous article, we have also seen that this Angel is 412 times the diameter of the Sun!

At this instant, it may be fruitful to remember that the Sun is 400 times the size of the moon just to imagine how extremely huge the Angel is.

Now, I will take you back in the History to the year 613

The Prophet Muhammad kept conveying the Message of Allah; he promised the people to dwell in the Eternal Paradise if they believe in Allah and he warned them dwell in the Eternal fire if they do not believe in Allah.

Allah informed us that the keepers of the Eternal Fire are strictly obedient Angels.

Allah mentioned that the keepers of the Eternal Fire are 19 appointed to take care of the Eternal Hell (the verse 74:30 of the Quran).

It is said that the Angels appointed for the Eternal Hell is not as big as those appointed to carry the Throne.

It is said that the shoulder width of the smaller sized Angel appointed for the Eternal Hell is equivalent to the distance of a journey of one year (a camel continuously march in a desert for one year).

This camel’s journey = 365 X 41.5= 15147.5 kilometers = 1.25 the diameter of the Earth = the length of a hypothetical line formed by 34 million men stick together shoulder by shoulder  

It is said that the handful of the lesser sized Angels appointed for the Eternal Hell can take very easily 700,000 unbelievers and throw them wherever he wants in the Hell.

When Allah mentioned the seemingly few number of the keepers of the Fire and said that they are 19 Angels appointed to take care of the Eternal Hell, the unbelievers among the Arabs of Makkah mocked very much.

One man, Abu Jahl said: O noble people of Makkah, Can’t each ten of us beat and destroy one of those Angels? We need only 190 men to destroy all of those Angels!

Another man, Abu’l-Ashadd who was very muscular and very strong said mockingly: O please, I can beat and destroy 17 Angels, aren’t you O people able to take care of the other two?

And they kept laughing and took it as an issue for mocking!

However, it is said that the number 19 does not mean 19 individuals but it may denote 19 rows or 19 groups or 19 kinds.

Nevertheless, even if they are 19 individual Angels they are quite enough and quite sufficient to take care of the Eternal Hell and its dwellers.

Angels in Islam (4) their extremely huge size

The size of the Angels is outstandingly very huge.

An Angel’s length is more than 45 thousand times the diameter of the Earth and more than 400 times the diameter of the Sun!

It is funny to see the picture of an Angel in the western media; they portray the Angel as if a little beautiful boy with two little wings.

Such picture is very far from the truth.
Allah says concerning the appointed Angels of Hell
“O you who believe! Save yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is men and stones, over which are Angels stern and severe, who flinch not (from executing) the commands they receive from Allah, but do (precisely) what they are commanded.” [The verse 66:6, see the appendix but remember that it is addressed to the believers!]
The greatest of all the Angels is Jibreel (Gabriel) peace is upon him who was described in many report and we will discuss them later on.

Among the greatest Angels are those who carry the Throne (of Allah), who were described in the following Hadith:
The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah  be upon him) said: ‘

“I have been given permission to speak about one of the Angels of Allah who carry the Throne. The distance between his ear-lobes and his shoulders is equivalent to a seven-hundred-year journey.’”

In another Hadith, the Prophet Muhammad said:

“I have been granted permission to speak about one of the Angels of Allah, one of the bearers of the Throne. The distance from his earlobes to his shoulders is the distance of a seven – hundred year journey.”

In a third Hadith, the Prophet Muhammad said:

“I have been granted permission to speak to an angel, one of the bearers of the Throne. The distance from his earlobe to his shoulder is like that of a bird flying for seven hundred years. That angel says, ‘Glory be to You, wherever You are.”

Considering that the distance of a bird flying during his migratory journey is about 150 kilometers per day, then the distance from the earlobe to the shoulder of the above Angel is 38,325,000 km i.e. more than 38 million kilometers.

In this case the length of such angel is about 574,875,000 km i.e. more than 500 million kilometers (more than half a billion km).

This means that the above Angel is 45,067 times the diameter of the Earth!

This also indicates that this Angel is 412 times the diameter of the Sun!

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Appendix:

The verse 66:6 in four different translations:

QARIB:

Believers, guard yourselves and your families against the fire the fuel of which is people and stones, over which there are harsh, and stern Angels who never disobey Allah in that which he orders and do what they are ordered.

SHAKIR:

O you who believe! Save yourselves and your families from a fire whose fuel is men and stones; over it are Angels stern and strong, they do not disobey Allah in what he commands them, and do as they are commanded

PICKTHAL:

O ye who believe! Ward off from yourselves and your families a fire whereof the fuel is men and stones, over which are set Angels strong, severe, who resist not Allah in that which he commandeth them, but do that which they are commanded.

YUSUFALI:

O ye who believe! Save yourselves and your families from a fire whose fuel is men and stones, over which are (appointed) Angels stern (and) severe, who flinch not (from executing) the commands they receive from Allah, but do (precisely) what they are commanded.

Allah does not love (1) the disbelievers

What the hypocrites said about Muhammad?

What every soul will wish at the Day of Judgment?

Allah warns mankind to be bewaring of Him

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On the Day of Judgment, Every soul will wish there were a great distance between it and its evil deeds.  Allah warns all of you to be bewaring of Him: Obey Allah and obey Muhammad; but if man turns away and does not obey, Lo! Allah does not love the disbelievers, meaning that He will chastise them.

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The meanings of verses 3:30-32 of the Noble Quran:

Verse 3:30 says that: On the Day of Judgment,

When every man will find himself confronted with all that he/she has done,

Everything of good and of evil is written in its register.

Every soul will wish there were a great distance between it and its evil deeds.

The Lord warns you of His Self.

Allah warns all of you to be beware of Him.

And Allah is full of pity for His bondmen.

He is full of pity for the believers.

 

When they said, ‘We only worship idols out of our love for God, that they might bring us close to Him’,

Verse 3:31 was revealed:

Say, O Muhammad, ‘If you love Allah, follow me, and Allah will love you,

Meaning that He will reward you, and forgive your sins;

Allah is Forgiving, as regards the sins, committed previously, by one who now follows the Prophet Muhammad; Merciful, to him.

This verse was revealed about the Jews who claimed they were the children of Allah and His beloved ones.

When this verse was revealed one of the hypocrites said: “Muhammad is commanding us to love him as the Christians loved Jesus”, and the Jews said: “Muhammad wants us to take him as a compassionate Lord, just as the Christians took Jesus as a compassionate Lord”.

 

Consequently, Allah revealed the verse 3:32 about their comments:

Say: Obey Allah regarding what He has obligated and obey the Messenger in his practices.

But if they turn away from obeying Allah and Muhammad

Lo! Allah does not love the disbelievers, meaning that He will chastise them.

This indicate that anyone denies Allah and His Prophet Muhammad is a disbeliever!

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Verses 3:30-32 in different translations

QARIB:

30) The day that every soul shall find what it has done of good brought forward, and what it has done of evil, it will wish if there were only a far space between it and that (day). Allah warns you to be wary of him; and Allah is gentle with his worshipers.

31) Say (Prophet Muhammad): ‘if you love Allah, follow me and Allah will love you, and forgive your sins. Allah is forgiving and merciful. ‘

32) Say: ‘obey Allah and the messenger. ‘ but if they turn away, then truly, Allah does not love the unbelievers.

SHAKIR:

30) On the day that every soul shall find present what it has done of good and what it has done of evil, it shall wish that between it and that (evil) there were a long duration of time; and Allah makes you to be cautious of (retribution from) himself; and Allah is compassionate to the servants

31) Say: if you love Allah, then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you your faults, and Allah is forgiving, merciful

32) Say: obey Allah and the messenger; but if they turn back, then surely Allah does not love the unbelievers

PICKTHAL:

30) On the day when every soul will find itself confronted with all that it hath done of good and all that it hath done of evil (every soul) will long that there might be a mighty space of distance between it and that (evil). Allah biddeth you beware of him. and Allah is full of pity for (his) bondmen.

31) Say, (o Muhammad, to mankind): if ye love Allah, follow me; Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. Allah is forgiving, merciful.

32) Say: obey Allah and the messenger. but if they turn away, lo! Allah loveth not the disbelievers (in his guidance).

YUSUFALI:

30) “On the day when every soul will be confronted with all the good it has done, and all the evil it has done, it will wish there were a great distance between it and its evil. but Allah cautions you (to remember) himself. and Allah is full of kindness to those that serve him.”

31) Say: “if ye do love Allah, follow me: Allah will love you and forgive you your sins: for Allah is oft-forgiving, most merciful.”

32) Say: “obey Allah and his messenger”: but if they turn back, Allah loveth not those who reject faith.