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 (31) Noah pleads with his Atheist son

Aware of the terrible reality, Noah pleads with him for the last time: O my son! Do not be with the unbelievers lest you drown. His son said: I shall seek refuge in a mountain, which will afford me protection from the waves. In an instant, the gigantic waves swallow everything up, so he was among the drowned by the flood

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The verses 11:40-42 say,

“Embark with us, my child, and do not stay with the unbelievers.”

As a proud arrogant, the Atheist son does not respond to his loving father.

He does not realize the extent of the terrible event that is taking place.

Noah said: O my son! Come ride with us

His son said: I shall take refuge in a mountain that will protect me, from the water’.

Noah said: O my son! Be saved with us

His son said: the mountain that will preserve me, from the flood’.

Noah said: O my son! Do not be with the unbelievers lest you drown

His son said: the mountain will prevent me from drowning, the mountain will afford me protection from the flood.

Aware of the terrible reality, Noah pleads with him for the last time:

“Today there is no protection for anyone from Allah’s judgment, except those who shall enjoy His mercy.”

In an instant, the scene changes and the gigantic waves swallow everything up:

The Huge waves came between them, so he was among the drowned by the flood

Today as we read this story, it is as if we see these events happening now before our very own eyes.

The ark is sailing amid huge waves, Noah, the worried father makes one plea after another; his conceited young son insolently turns his back, and then suddenly a towering wave settles the issue.

Everything is over as if the dialogue did not take place.

The element of fear and worry in this scene is measured by its:

1. Depth in the human soul, in the conversation between Noah and his son.
2. Extent in nature, as the waves rise high to submerge the tops of the mountains.

Both elements are equal.

This is a distinctive feature of how the Quran tells us about the ancient people.

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Then, the storm subsides, an air of calmness spreads, the matter is settled according to Allah’s will.

The verse here gives the impression of something coming to a complete standstill.

“And the word was spoken: ‘Earth, swallow up your waters. Heaven, cease (your rain).’ Thus, the waters sank into the earth, and Allah’s will was done, and the ark came to rest on Mount Judi. The word was spoken: Away with these evil-doing folk.’”

It was said,

‘O earth, swallow your waters, that have sprung forth from you, and the Earth reabsorbed it and

O heaven, abate!’ withhold the rain, and it did.

The waters subsided, the affair was accomplished, the matter of the destruction of Noah’s people was complete and it settled,

The earth swallows up its water and the heaven stops raining.

Furthermore, the earth’s surface was soon dry, as excess waters penetrated deep underground.

Allah addressed the earth and the heavens as if they were human beings.

Both comply with the commandment.

No wonder they did when they are Allah’s obedient creatures.

“Allah’s will was done and the ark came to rest on Mount Judi.”

That was its final stop. “The word was spoken: ‘Away with these evil-doing folk.’”

• Those who were supposed to be destroyed were destroyed and
• Those who were supposed to be saved were saved.

It was said:

‘Away with perish the evildoing, disbelieving, folk!’

The Quran does not say who said this statement, but it generates the impression that the whole affair does not in need to be considered again.

Let the evildoers disappear beyond Allah’s mercy for they deserve to be expelled;

Let them be banished from memory, for they do not deserve to be remembered.

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The verses 11:43-44 in different translations:

QARIB:

43- But he replied: ‘i shall seek refuge on a mountain, which will protect me from the water. ‘He (Noah) said: ‘today, there is no defender from the command of Allah, except those to whom he has mercy. ‘And the waves came between them, and he was drowned.

44- And it was said: ‘earth, swallow up your waters. Heaven, cease! ‘The water subsided and the matter was accomplished. And the ark came to rest upon (the mountain of) aljudi, and it was said: ‘be gone, evildoing nation! ‘

SHAKIR:

43- He said: i will betake myself for refuge to a mountain that shall protect me from the water. Nuh said: there is no protector today from Allah’s punishment but he who has mercy; and a wave intervened between them, so he was of the drowned

44- And it was said: o earth, swallow down your water, and o cloud, clear away; and the water was made to abate and the affair was decided, and the ark rested on the judi, and it was said: away with the unjust people

PICKTHAL:

43- He said: i shall betake me to some mountain that will save me from the water. (Noah) said: this day there is none that saveth from the commandment of Allah save him on whom he hath had mercy. And the wave came in between them, so he was among the drowned.

44- And it was said: o earth! swallow thy water and, o sky! be cleared of clouds! and the water was made to subside. And the commandment was fulfilled. And it (the ship) came to rest upon (the mount) al-judi and it was said: a far removal for wrongdoing folk!

YUSUFALI:

43- The son replied: “i will betake myself to some mountain: it will save me from the water.” Noah said: “this day nothing can save, from the command of Allah, any but those on whom he hath mercy! “And the waves came between them, and the son was among those overwhelmed in the flood.

44- Then the word went forth: “o earth! Swallow up thy water, and o sky! Withhold (thy rain)!” and the water abated, and the matter was ended. The ark rested on mount Judi, and the word went forth: “away with those who do wrong!”

Atheists in Quran (21) their leader = their enemy = Satan

O humankind! Indeed Allah’s promise, of resurrection is true. So do not let the Deceiver, Satan, deceive you from believing. Satan is your enemy, so treat him as an enemy. Satan only summons followers so that they may be among the inhabitants of the fierce Fire.

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The first four verses of Surah 35 emphasized three major facts of the Islamic faith:

• The oneness of Allah, the Almighty Creator
• The graces that Allah alone bestows
• Allah is the only One who provides sustenance for all His creation.

The verses 35:5-7 address 1) The Prophet Muhammad and 2) Mankind as follow:

1) The Prophet Muhammad, heartening him because his people’s rejection of his message and their false accusations of his lying caused him much pain. It stresses that all matters are in Allah’s hand.

2) Mankind confirming that Allah’s promise is a true promise and warning man against Satan’s schemes, which aim to divert man from recognizing the major truths already outlined.

The Creeping around Enemy

What Satan, our affirmed enemy, wants is to lead Mankind to hell’s torment?

Both belief and rejection are in Allah’s hand, and He knows all that people do.

Then the verses show us the types of requital that await the believers and unbelievers in the life to come.

The aim of the first address is at the Prophet Muhammad:

“If they accuse you of lying, other messengers, who had gone before you, were similarly accused. It is to Allah that all things return.” (Verse 4)

With all these truths easily and clearly recognizable, you need not worry that they accuse you of lying.

The same thing happened to earlier messengers.

If the Atheists deny you, O Muhammad with regard to your message of Allah’s Oneness, resurrection, reckoning and punishment, verily, the Atheists denied other messengers before you in this respect, so be steadfast as they were steadfast

All matters finally return to Allah who determines every end the way He pleases.

The aim of the second address is at Mankind, in general, to all people and to everyone:

People! Allah’s promise is true indeed. So do not let the life of the present world delude you, and do not let deceptive thoughts about Allah delude you. Satan is your enemy, so treat him as an enemy. He only calls on his followers so that they will be among those destined for the blazing fire. (Verses 5-6)

Allah’s promise is true:

• There is no doubt that it will come;
• It is a reality that will not fail;
• It is the absolute truth.
• Nothing can cause it to disappear, lose its way or change.

Nevertheless, this present life can delude people, as can Satan. Therefore, do not let anything deceive you:

“Do not let the life of the present world delude you, and do not let deceptive thoughts about Allah delude you.” (Verse 5)

O humankind! Indeed Allah’s promise, of resurrection and of other issues, is true. So do not let the life of this world deceive you, from believing, and do not let the Deceiver, Satan, deceive you concerning Allah

Satan has declared his hostility and enmity to you and that he will never be anything but an enemy to you.

Satan only summons his faction, his followers in disbelief, so that they may be among the inhabitants of the Blaze, the fierce Fire.

Therefore, “treat him as an enemy.” (Verse 6)

• Do not befriend him,
• Do not listen to his advice,
• Do not follow his footsteps,

For no wise person would follow his enemy’s footsteps.

Moreover, you should realize that Satan:

• Does not call you to anything good,
• Nor does he want you to be safe:

“He only calls on his followers so that they will be among those destined for the blazing fire.” (Verse 6)

Can anyone with reason and clear thinking answer a call that would put him in the fire?

This is a sincere, heartfelt address.

When man remembers the eternal challenge,

• He has to fight against his avowed enemy, Satan,
• He will muster all his strength, defending himself and ensuring his own safety.
• He will do his utmost not to fall to any temptation, keep himself on guard, and evaluate every thought by the scales Allah has given him.
• He is alert to the fact that any seemingly innocent thought may involve clever deception by his essential enemy.

This is the Islamic teachings.

Man needs to be on the alert to reject any temptation Satan presents. This entails the mobilization of all one’s responses against evil, both its inner appeal and surface attraction.

Thus, one is always on red alert, prepared to engage in this challenge, which rages persistently throughout this present life.

Such “take care of Satan” demanded from believers is followed by an outline of the fate of those who responded to Satan’s call.

To underpin the contrast, the verse restated the situation of the believers who reject Satan and drive him away:

“For the unbelievers there is severe suffering in store; while for those who believe and do righteous deeds there is forgiveness of sins and a great reward.” (Verse 7)

Those who disbelieve, theirs will be a severe chastisement; but those who believe and perform righteous deeds, theirs will be forgiveness and a great reward — this is a declaration of what [fate] will be for the adherents of Satan and what will be for his opponents [respectively].

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The verses 35:5-7 in different translations:

QARIB:

4-If they belie you; other messengers have been belied before you. to Allah all matters are returned.

5-People, the promise of Allah is true, so do not let this present life delude you, and do not let the deluder (Satan) delude you about Allah.

6-Satan is indeed your enemy; therefore take him for an enemy. he calls his party so that they will become the companions of the blaze.

7-For the unbelievers awaits a terrible punishment, but for those who believe and do good deeds is forgiveness and a great recompense.

SHAKIR:

4-And if they call you a liar, truly messengers before you were called liars, and to Allah are all affairs returned

5-O men! Surely, the promise of Allah is true, therefore let not the life of this world deceive you, and let not the arch-deceiver deceive you respecting Allah

6-Surely, the Shaitan is your enemy, so take him for an enemy; he only invites his party that they may be inmates of the burning

7- (As for) those who disbelieve, they shall have a severe punishment, and (as for) those who believe and do good, they shall have forgiveness and a great reward

PICKTHAL:

4-And if they deny thee, (O Muhammad), messengers (of Allah) were denied before thee. Unto Allah, all things are brought back.

5-O mankind! Lo! the promise of Allah is true. So let not the life of the world beguile you, and let not the (avowed) beguiler beguile you with regard to Allah.

6-Lo! The devil is an enemy for you, so treat him as an enemy. He only summoneth his faction to be owners of the flaming fire.

7-Those who disbelieve, theirs will be an awful doom; and those who believe and do good works, theirs will be forgiveness and a great reward.

YUSUFALI:

4-And if they reject thee, so were messengers rejected before thee: to Allah back for decision all affairs.

5-O men! Certainly, the promise of Allah is true. Let not then this present life deceive you, nor let the chief deceiver deceive you about Allah.

6-Verily, Satan is an enemy to you: so treat him as an enemy. he only invites his adherents, that they may become companions of the blazing fire.

7-For those who reject Allah, is a terrible penalty: but for those who believe and work righteous deeds, is forgiveness, and a magnificent reward.