Ethics Assignment

Effects of Pride and Arrogance

SUMBMITTD TO: DR TUFAIL HASHMI

BY: Muhammad khan (300) M Sumeet Anjum(357) Syed M Arslan (370)


Abstract:The purpose of this assignment is study the effects of pride and arrogance.


INTRODUCTIONPride is defined as the state of having or displaying excessive self-esteem. It is an inner bad moral that makes the one afflicted with it see himself "above" others due to the perfect qualities and attributes that he "believes" to possess.Pride is sometimes viewed as excessive or as a vice, sometimes as proper or as a virtue. While some philosophers such as Aristotle (and George Bernard Shaw) consider pride a profound virtue, some world religions consider it a sin, such as Islam and The Old Testament.An attitude which goes side by side with pride is arrogance. According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, it is an attitude of superiority manifested in an overbearing manner or in presumptuous claims or assumptions.Arrogance may be understood to be that deadly sin which is known as “kibr” in Arabic. The definition of kibr, given in a famous hadith: "Kibr is to knowingly reject Truth and to belittle other people." This hadith exposes two strains of this deadly disease, both dealing with our exaggerated ideas of self-importance. The first suggests that I am more important than the Truth. The second suggests that I am more important than other people.This is a very dangerous flaw that afflicts so many people, even some ascetics, scholars, and worshipers of Allah. Surely it is so dangerous because the Prophet (SAW) of Islam stated that he who has in his heart the weight of an atom of pride will not enter Paradise.


Difference between pride and arrogance:There are certain words that have a hard time shedding off their negative connotations. For example, the word “stubborn” or its equivalent “pig-headed” are generally not positive traits yet they can easily turn into “steadfastness” or “personal integrity” if you look at the other side of the coin.

We can easily classify “arrogance” as a negative trait. Arrogant people are condescending and believe themselves to be superior, whether in looks, knowledge, wisdom, or all of the above. It is also often part of an illusion – or rather delusion – about one's own characteristics; they are overblown and distort the positive traits one may have.

Where does pride fit in? We can be proud of our own accomplishments, our country or friends and family. If you act and do well on a task or in a given situation, be it a job well done or good grades in a course, you have reason to be proud. The main direction of pride is toward within in contrast to arrogance which has a more outward focus.

But it can become a little tricky. When you are proud of your country are you not ipso facto comparing yourself to other countries and claiming to be superior? Is this really based on your own achievements? Are you not deluding yourself with pride in non-existent abilities? In other words, can you fully identify yourself with the given traits of your country? And how congruent are they with reality?


Pride can enter a dangerous terrain where it mixes with wishful thinking -- if not delusion -- and hence it may find itself in the unwanted neighborhood of arrogance. Pride then needs to be checked so that it does not turn into arrogance. There is nothing wrong with taking credit for your efforts and accomplishments. In fact, we do so quite rarely and not enough. The proverbial “tap on the shoulder” for a task well done can boost one's confidence and does no one harm in

The pride one may feel is, in my opinion, about this type of courage, about standing up for who one is despite the consequences and strong opposition of mainstream society. It seems to me a contradiction to say that you are proud of who you are, your traits and qualities, whereas it seems easier to accept the fact that you are proud of what you have done with your life, your actions and accomplishments. But if you believe that nurture overruns nature, then you could be proud for both options.

In short, there is really nothing wrong with being proud. In some cases, it may lead to stubborn behaviour, yet in others it can be about human rights and the right for dignity. You can be proud of your accomplishments and to an extent of your country, as long as you are realistic about it. At the same time, you must be careful and aware that pride does not turn into arrogance. In some cases, the line between the two may be paper-thin.

DIFFERENT FORMS AND SHAPES OF PRIDEPride takes many forms and shapes. In Imam Al-Mawlud’s discourse, Matharat Al-Qulub, he mentions three different qualities and kinds of arrogance.


The first type is when a person deems himself superior to others. Imam Al-Ghazali Said, “People of knowledge are in greater danger of arrogance than anyone else”, because the knowledge they have might cause them to look down on others who may not have the same level of knowledge.The second type is arrogance displayed in a person who shows contempt and scorn to others. Once a mansaw an old woman calling to the Prophet (SAW) in a boisterous manner. The Prophet (SAW) stopped to talk to the lady without any sign of annoyance. When the man saw the Prophet’s (SAW) calm reaction, he said “Muhammad (SAW) is a man unlike the kings of other lands”. The Prophet (SAW) remained humble despite his obvious high station, because he was the perfect human being.The third type of arrogance mentioned in Matharat Al-Qulub is that of lineage. This type of arrogance is related to the tribalism and high births that the pre Islamic Arabs were so focused upon.

HAZARDS OF PRIDEPride deprives the prideful person from Paradise because it prevents him from acquiring the qualities of the believers, for he cannot like for the believers that which he likes for himself, nor can he be humble, or avoid animosity, envy, or wrath, or restrain his anger, or accept good advice, or refrain from despising and backbiting people. In short, he is subject to all blameworthy morals.It has been called umm-ul-amradh, or the root of all sicknesses of the heart. Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, warned that a person having even an iota of it in his heart will never enter paradise.


It is narrated on the authority of 'Abdullah b. Mas'ud that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) observed: None shall enter the Fire (of Hell) who has in his heart the weight of a mustard seed of Iman and none shall enter Paradise who has in his heart the weight of a mustard seed of pride. (Sahih Muslim Book 001, Number 0165)From this hadith we can see the importance in the sight of Allah about remaining free of Pride. Allah subhana Wa T’ala (SWT) will not let anyone enter Janna who has a mustard seed of pride. A mustard is absolutely tiny. So reflecting on how much pride has to be in our heart in order for us to be denied paradise, it’s a very small tiny amount. But this tiny amount, like a grain or seed can grow and sprout and cause an infestation of the heart, much like a weed.We know about the Quraish and Jews of Arabia who had come in contact with Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, and who knew in the heart of their hearts that he indeed was the Messenger of Allah. Their arrogance, though, kept them from accepting it. History has recorded statements from some of them who said we know he is the Promised Prophet but we will keep on opposing him to maintain our leadership.While that was the most blatant form of arrogance, we can witness the same attitude on a smaller scale in our discussions and arguments. A person realizes that he was wrong, but then his pride keeps him from admitting it. No matter how polite or "humble" that person may appear to be ordinarily, this test shows the presence of arrogance in his heart. It is arrogance that keeps a person from saying "I am sorry."The second strain involves our feeling of superiority with respect to other people. Islam’s teaching is that one should never consider oneself greater than other people, because that Judgment will come from Allah, and Allah alone, on the Day of


Judgment. None of us knows what our end will be, whether we will end up being a winner or loser over there. The person who appears to be nobody here may end up with eternal bliss because of his goodness that only Allah knew. The person who is a big shot here may end up among the sinners who will be punished there, because of his evil that only Allah knew. How foolish, it is then to congratulate ourselves over our fleeting "superiority".Pride can take shape and form in many ways, and can attack without notice to the least suspecting. What was Satan’s downfall? His pride.And behold, “We said to the angels: "Bow down to Adam" and they bowed down. Not so Iblis: he refused and was haughty: He was of those who reject Faith.” (Suratul Baqarah Ayah 34)Satan didn’t and doesn’t doubt the existence of Allah. He was a great scholar, and was in the attendance of Allah subhana Wa Ta’la with the Angels. This wasn’t the reason for his outcast about the doubt of Allah and his majesty. It was his pride, or contempt that he held for Hazrat Adam alayhis Salaam, which directly led him to disobedience of Allah. He outrightly defied a command of Allah (SWT). Why? Because of his arrogance, that Adam (AHS) was created from clay, and he was created from fire. “Since fire is better than clay, I’m better than Adam. Why should I bow to him?”

There are other examples of the dangerous road that pride can lead one down.In Prophet Ibrahim's Alayhis Salaam confrontation with Namrood, the former argues that Allah is the one who gives life and gives death. Namrood responds by bringing out two people sentenced to death. He releases one and kills the other as a poor attempt at making a point that he also brings life and death. Ibrahim refutes


by stating that Allah brings the Sun out from the East, and so he asks Namrood to bring it from the West. Namrood is then perplexed and angered. He arranges for Ibrahim AHS to be thrown into a great fire, but Allah protects him from it by commanding the fire to be cool and safe for Ibrahim.When Firaun (Pharoah) repeatedly challenges Prophet Musa Alayhis Salaam, and whenever Allah’s signs came, whenever the torment came down on the people of Firaun, he begged Musa AHS to ask Allah to remove these calamaties, promising repentance. Yet, when the calamites were removed by the Mercy of Allah, Firaun would again resort to his tyrannical and arrogant ways.On the other hand, we have an example of the Holy Prophet SAW and the way he led his companions to the Conquest of Makkah. History has never witnessed a more peaceful and more unassuming conquest. Although he was entering Makkah as an unopposed conqueror, the head of the Prophet SAW was bowed so low in humility and gratitude to Allah that it was touching his camel’s neck.

HUMILITY, THE OPPOSITE OF PRIDEHazrat Umar RA used to beg Allah to be elevated in the eyes of others but to become humble in his opinion of himself. People only occupy a lofty position in the hearts of those around them if they are deeply respected, and the arrogant rarely inspire such sincere reverence. Allah will honor people and elevate them in creation only if they are sincere in their humility, and their actions reflect this quality. The branches with the sweetest and most valuable fruit are the ones hanging closest to the ground;


attaining humility is the means by which man is deemed worthy in front of Allah.Humility is a gift from Allah that is to be sought and begged for, just as we implore Allah for such blessings as houses or wives. Man is deprived of a great blessing if he is deprived of humbleness. Our heart and desires try to instill arrogance in us, which ultimately leads to our destruction. Our best weapon against it is to remind ourselves of our origins.The Holy Quran says that the servants of The Most Merciful should walk with humility upon the earth. Hence we should ask Allah to inculcate this humility deep in our hearts and allow it to be reflected in all our actions, and we should inculcate the same in our children.If we are not humble and persist in our arrogance, we shall be condemned to great torments by Allah. Several verses of the Quran and traditions of the Prophet SAW point to this.Allah, Almighty, says: “I will turn away from My Ayaat (verses of the Quran) those who behave arrogantly on the earth, without a right, and (even) if they see all the Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons signs, revelations, etc.), they will not believe in them...” [Quran; 7:146] and “... truly He likes not the proud.” [Quran; 16:23] The Prophet SAW said: "He who has in his heart the weight of an atom of pride shall not enter Paradise." [Muslim] The Prophet SAW also said: "The Fire complained saying: 'I am the dwelling of the arrogant and the tyrants'." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim] Al-Bukhaari and Muslim also reported that the Prophet SAW said: "Allah will not look on the Day of Judgment at him who drags his robe (behind him) out of pride."


Then, Hazrat Abu Bakr RA said: "O Messenger of Allaah, one side of my robe slacks down but I am very cautious about it (i.e. I raise it)." Thereupon, the Messenger of Allah SAW said: "But you do not do that out of pride."

PRIDE IN OUR DAILY LIFE AND ITS CUREWhile throughout history humanity had agreed on the evil of arrogance and the virtue of humbleness (despite its failures in practice), this century has seen new dogmas that aim at changing the definitions of good and evil. Humbleness is no longer desirable. Rather, one has to avoid "Inferiority Complex." Alfred Adler (1870-1937) gave us that term. According to him, life is a continuous struggle to move from a position of inferiority to a position of significance. Those who fail to make the progress, develop inferiority complex, which can be treated by increasing self-esteem. Unfortunately today such pseudo-science is accepted as gospel truth.When we discuss pride in our present day, the most common form of pride that we see is looking down upon others. Perhaps we look down upon someone who makes less money. A married couple with children may look down on a married couple without children. It is also quite possible that someone who begins to become more spiritual and tries to obtain closeness to Allah begins to look down on those who aren’t yet walking a spiritual path. They may feel that because they have been given a special blessing from Allah, they are somehow better than others who may not have this blessing. As in the case of Satan, he argued with Allah that he was better than Adam, because he had more blessings from Allah. He was created from a better material, or he had more good deeds, or more knowledge. Anyway you look at it,


Satan held contempt for Adam, and looked down upon him because of his feelings of superiority.What we must try to remind ourselves, is that rizq comes from Allah and Allah alone. When we have received a special blessing from Allah: whether it is a nice house, or nice car, a pious spouse with children, good health, or strong iman and knowledge, we should remind ourselves to be thankful to Allah. We should beg Allah to grant us the tawfiq to be grateful to Him and allow us to help others with His special blessings. And to protect us from looking down upon others who may have been not been given the same types of blessings.Just like rizq comes from Allah, Allah can also remove this rizq. To remain grateful is very important, and is key to success.In one hadith of the Prophet (SAW),Anas b. Malik reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Neither nurse mutual hatred, nor jealousy, nor enmity, and become as fellow. brothers and servants of Allah. It is not lawful for a Muslim that he should keep his relations estranged with his brother beyond three days.So we can see above, the importance of keeping good relations with our brothers and sisters-to not let rancor enter our hearts. We should make du’a for our brothers and sisters, and we should also make du’a for our enemies. Make du’a for their hidaya, and guidance. We should make du’a for our nonmuslim friends, acquaintances, co-workers and neighbors. We should constantly beg Allah to guide them to the path of Islam, because we do not know what state of iman and faith we shall be in at the time of our death. There is sometimes a theme amongst people of the book, and Muslims alike, that we condemn everyone who does not conform to our way of thinking. But since when were we able to look into the hearts of men? Since when did Allah give


authority for any human being to point fingers at another and decide their fate?In another hadith, the Prophet (SAW) once said to his companions do you want to see a man of paradise? A man then passed by, and the Prophet (SAW) said that man is one of the people of paradise. So a companion of the Prophet decided to learn what it was about this man that earned such a commendation from the messenger of Allah (SAW). He spent time with this man, and observed him closely. He noticed that he did not perform the night prayer vigil, or anything extraordinary. He appeared to be an average man of medina. The companion finally told the man what the Prophet (SAW) had said about him and asked if he did anything special. And the man replied, the only thing that I can think of other than what everyone else does, is that I make sure that I never sleep with any rancor in my heart towards another. That was his secret.So we should try to remove this rancor, or even hint of hatred, jealousy or envy. The scholars have indicated that one way to remove any hatred of another is to make sincere du’a for that person by name, asking Allah for good for them and their families in this life and the next. Ask for their forgiveness from Allah. Because who is to say that we are better than someone, just because we do not like them, or that we do not agree with them?

America’s pride:The greatest threat to the United States of America lies not in the weapons of mass destruction being harvested in poor countries such as Iraq, but in the arrogance of her own government. For a year following the attacks on September 11 2001, the Bush administration has been making war-like speeches against countries such as Iraq, North Korea, and Pakistan concerning their


‘build up of weapons of mass destruction.’ Such threats are now nearing true as the crisis in Iraq continues.

The verdict on whether, the United States of America will in fact get her war has yet to be seen. However, with the government behaving like a schoolyard bully, and foreign relations dwindling, not to mention a weakening economy, the United States of America does not require an attack of a nuclear bomb, to cause catastrophic damage to the country. The pride of America administration is causing enough damage to the United States of America all on its own.

CULTURE OF ARROGANCE:This article shows the hazards of pride in worlds politics. (by william saphire, published in newyork times 1999)Computers at our nuclear laboratories are again being ordered to ''stand down.'' Our most secret work on our most powerful weaponry is coming to a screeching two-day halt.That's because of a line in a report issued this week by ''Piffiab,'' the President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board: ''A nefarious employee can still download secret weapons information to a tape, put it in his or her pocket, and walk out the door.''This despite Energy Secretary Bill Richardson's previous public assurances that the barn door had been locked, now that China has our warhead secrets.When Congress's Cox committee on Chinagate submitted its classified findings six months ago, President Clinton assigned


Piffiab's chairman, former Senator Warren Rudman, a Republican, to do the usual White House whitewash.However, to my surprise, Rudman delivered the most damning excoriation any White House has ever directed at its own Administration.''Saturated with cynicism, an arrogant disregard for authority, and a staggering pattern of denial . . . organizational disarray, managerial neglect . . . pervasive inefficiency . . . an abominable record of security with deeply troubling threats to American national security.'' A Strong letter follows.

THE DEASEASE OF PRIDE:The disease of pride and arrogance deletes all traces of goodness and piety. This is the worst vice in causing havoc to Deen and a regrettable disease to have for the followers of this perfect and exalted religion. It launches a direct attack on beliefs and principles. If ignored and overlooked for sometime it becomes fatal and incurable, and gives rise to other spiritual maladies and vices, which are no less than four in number, as, mentioned below:

1. Being deprived of truth and truthfulness. The heart becomes blind to the verse dealing with knowledge about Allah. It is a very grievous vice in which the mind of a man becomes dull and impervious to the understanding of Deen. Allah has said in the Holy Quran:


“I shall turn away from My revelations those who show pride in the world wrongfully.” (7.146)

Allah has said in another place in the Quran:

“And in this way Allah does put a seal on every arrogant disdainful heart.” (40.35)

2. The wrath and punishment of Allah fall on the jealous person. Allah has said:

“Certainly He does not love the proud ones.” (16:23)

It is narrated that Hazrat Moosa asked exalted Allah: “Oh my Lord! Who is the most deserving of your wrath and displeasure?” Allah Ta’aala told him: “ It is he whose heart is filled with pride and his tongue is filthy (i.e. Abusive), his eyes are devoid of shame, his hands are miserly and he is of bad conduct and character.

3. Allah will put the proud to disgrace and ill-repute (dishonour) in the Hereafter.

Hazrat Hatim Asam (rahmatullahi alaihi) has said: “Do not die in a state of pride, greed and arrogance.”


Allah does not cause the proud fellow to meet his death unless he is disgraced and dishonoured by his own family, relatives and servants.

Similarly the greedy does not meet his death unless he becomes destitute for a morsel of food and a drop of water.

In the same way the arrogant person does not meet his own death unless being polluted with his own excrement and urine.

4. The proud renders himself liable to Hell in the Hereafter. It occurs in a Hadith Qudsi:

“Pride is My cloak and grandeur is my trousers. If anyone disputes with Me in any one of these (two) I shall admit him into the Hell-fire.”

In the other words, pride and grandeur are two exclusive attributes of Allah, which none is allowed to apply and ascribe towards himself.

It is imperative to refrain from such a dangerous and deadly calamity which leads to loss of knowledge of Allah, inability to understand the commands of Allah, His displeasure, disgrace in this world and the Hereafter and painful torment therein. No wise person can be neglectful in the matter of such a harmful and destructive calamity.


We should, therefore, try to save ourselves from this and seek refuge from Allah.

This is a brief account of the four calamities, mentioned in the beginning. Each of these four adversities are very harmful and dangerous in the sight of those wise and knowledgeable persons who are aware of the importance of the reforming of ones heart.

Those are the four disease and vices that stem from having pride. How many of us are there that can honestly say, without deceiving ourselves that we are free of this hated ailment? Not many, is the answer. It is imperative that we take heed from this article and we bear in mind the punishment promised by Allah Ta’ala to those with pride in their hearts.

Pride as a sin is incorrectly considered to be insignificant and minute in comparison to other major sins, by a vast majority of the people. It may be that compared to the major sins like murder and associating partner with Allah, it is slightly inferior. But that is only because of the magnitude of those particular sins that pride is considered a lesser sin. In a Hadith of the Holy Prophet it is narrated that,

“Whosoever has in his heart, even a atom of pride he will not enter paradise.”


In observing the above Hadith, it is of utmost importance that we get rid of this spiritual malady, if we hold any illusion or hope of entering paradise. Remember that we do claim to be the followers and believes of Islam and we claim to be Muslims, so how then can we still have pride in ourselves? For the very meaning of Islam is to submit totally and conditionally to the worship of the Supreme Being, Allah Ta’ala and as Muslims it is incumbent upon us to get rid of every drop of pride, superiority and haughtiness within us, as we are small and inferior in comparison to the Supreme Being, if such comparison can be made. So let's try and act upon the very essence of our religion and our adjective as Muslims and submit and surrender ourselves to the worship and pleasure of Allah Ta’ala.

INCIDENT FROM THE PROPHETIC TIME:Here I narrate an incident from the prophetic time so that Muslims may take a warning from it and save themselves, because one has often to face the same situation that is mentioned herein. The incident reported by Harrat Salmah bin Akwa' is that a man was eating with his left hand in the Holy Prophet's presence. The Holy Prophet asked him to eat with his right hand but he said that he did not have the strength to do so. At this the Holy Prophet said: "May you not have the strength!" One can understand that it was nothing but arrogance that had prevented him from eating with his right hand. But then the result of this curse was that he could never lift his right hand up to his mouth again! That person could certainly eat with his right hand but it was merely due to his arrogance that he said that he could not eat with it and hence Allah Almighty made it such that he could never lift it again.


Once it so happened that I myself told a man: "You partake your food on the table but the Sunnah practice is to sit on the floor for dining." He promptly replied: "I cannot sit down; it is difficult for me to sit down." Although not more than three or four years had passed since he had come over (to the U.K.), the pride and arrogance of having made a few pennies prevented him from acting on this sunnah; there was no other reason but this. If a man commits a sin inadvertently or misses a sunnah, but considers himself before Allah and His Apostle a sinner and a guilty person, it is strongly hoped that Allah Almighty will pardon him. But to act against the Holy Prophet's methods and then to explain away one's actions according to one's own whims and wishes and make lame excuses. And to not to act upon the prophetic Sunnah through arrogance, on the contrary to think lightly of them, not only draws Allah's punishment in the Hereafter, but in this world also very soon. The first target of the divine scourge which is struck first is his arrogance and riches, power, beauty etc. the causes of arrogance which prevented him from acting upon the Sunnah and the Shari'ah.

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall:

These words ring loud and true. Pride has become the norm for our society, and we all suffer from it in one form or another. In small doses, pride isn’t a bad thing. It helps build our confidence levels, when we show our school spirit, or when our boss gives us a nice pat on the back for a job well done. We even get a nice sense of pride when we’ve completed a household chore or when we’ve picked out that perfect gift for someone that you know that they will just love. This type of pride is good and helps us to keep


going in our everyday lives. That sense that we are important or needed that all of us require. man who has too high an opinion of his own worth, rank, power and qualities has a nasty fall. He comes to harm. It is said that by pride even the angels fell. History is replete with examples of kings who fell because of their false pride. Hitler was proud of his power. This false pride of his power proved ultimately to be the cause of his downfall and death. The British were proud of their power and hold over India.They used to say with pride, "The sun never sets on the British Empire." Where is that pride now? The British had to quit India bag and baggage. They had to recognize India as a sovereign Republic. Britain is no longer a first rate power. Once upon a time the wind bandied words with the sun and bragged of his superior force. Both at last agreed to apply by turn their force to a traveller and thus put their strength to the test. The wind had the first chance and he blew hard trying to make the traveller take off his cloak. But he found that the man was shivering with cold and, far from unbuttoning it, he held his cloak fast to his body. After the wind, the sun came out in the sky. He beat hot and the traveller felt warm and took off his Cloak. The wind applied force and was baffled in his attempt while the sun applied warmth gently and got the better of him. This small story proves that pride goeth before a fall. Every school child has read the story of the vain stag. He was proud of his beautiful and branching horns but he looked down upon his ugly and slender legs and cursed God for them.


He was thus murmuring and the words had hardly escaped his lips when he was set upon by hounds. He ran hard. The thin legs that he had despised carried him as fast as they could but his horns of which he was proud got entangled into a thorny bush. In spite of all his efforts, he could not extricate himself. He stood there helpless and trembling, when the bounds overtook him. They sprang upon him in a body and tore him to pieces. His last dying words were, "O God, the thin legs I disliked exerted themselves to save my life, but the horns of which I was so proud pushed me into the jaws of death". This little story also shows that pride leads to a fall. Such instances can be multiplied. It is humility that always" pays. The haughty cannot withstand the storms of life.

CONCLUSION:As imam ghazali (R.A) says This is the chronic disease. It is man’s consideration of himself with the eye of self-glorification and self-importance and his consideration of others with the eye of contempt. The result as regards the tongue is that he says, ‘I.. I..’; as accursed Iblis said, ‘I am better than he; Thou hast created me of fire, but him Thou hast created of clay’ (38:77). The fruit of it in society is self-exaltation and self-advancement and the endeavour to be foremost in discussions and resentment when what one says is contradicted. The arrogant man is he who, when he gives advice, mortifies, but, when he receives it, is rude. Every one who considers himself better than one of the creatures of God most high is arrogant. Indeed, you ought to realize that the good man is he who is good in God’s sight in the mansion of eternity; and that is something unknown to man, postponed to the End.


Your belief that you are better than others is sheer ignorance. Rather you ought not to look at anyone without considering that he is better than you and superior to you. Thus, if you see a child, you say, ‘This person has never sinned against God, but I have sinned, and so he is better than I.’ And if you see an older person, you say, ‘This man was a servant of God before me, and is certainly better than I.’ If he is a scholar, you say, ‘This man has been given what I have not been given and reached what I did not reach, and knows what I am ignorant of; then how shall I be like him?’ And if he is ignorant, you say, ‘This man has sinned against God in ignorance, and I have sinned against Him knowingly, so God’s case against me is stronger, and I do not know what end He will give to me and what end to him.’ If he is an infidel, you say, ‘I do not know; perhaps he will become a Muslim and his life will end in doing good, and because of his acceptance of Islam something of his sins will be taken away, as a hair is taken from dough; but as for me - God is our refuge (God grant it does not happen) - perhaps God will lead me astray so that I become an infidel and my life ends in doing evil, and then tomorrow he will be among those brought near to God and I shall be among the punished.’ Arrogance will not leave your heart except when you know that the great man is he who is great in the sight of God most high. That is something which cannot be known until the end of life, and there is doubt about that (the end and whether it will be good or bad). So let fear of the end occupy you and keep you from making yourself out, despite the doubt about your end, to be aboved the servants of Godmost high.


Your certitude and faith at present do not exclude the possibility of your changing in the future; for God is the disposer of hearts; He guides whom He will and leads astray whom He will.

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Ethics Assignment