| Delivered at BCMA Richmond Masjid, Canada |
| Arrogance; The First Sin (From The Story of Adam & Iblis) |
| By: Sh. Ayman El-Najjar |
إن الحمد لله نحمده ونستعينه ونستغفره، ونعوذ بالله من شرور أنفسنا ومن سيئات أعمالنا، من يهده الله فلا مضل له، ومن يضلل فلا هادي له، وأشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له وأشهد أن محمداً عبده ورسوله.{يَاأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِ وَلا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلا وَأَنْتُمْ مُسْلِمُونَ} {يَاأَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اتَّقُوا رَبَّكُمُ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُمْ مِنْ نَفْسٍ وَاحِدَةٍ وَخَلَقَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا وَبَثَّ مِنْهُمَا رِجَالا كَثِيرًا وَنِسَاءً وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ الَّذِي تَسَاءَلُونَ بِهِ وَالأَرْحَامَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ عَلَيْكُمْ رَقِيبًا} {يَاأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَقُولُوا قَوْلا سَدِيدًا يُصْلِحْ لَكُمْ أَعْمَالَكُمْ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَمَنْ يُطِعِ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ فَقَدْ فَازَ فَوْزًا عَظِيمًا} أما بعد، فإن أصدق الحديث كتاب الله، وخير الهدي هدي محمد - صلى الله عليه وسلم -، وشر الأمور محدثاتها، وكل محدثةٍ بدعةٍ، وكل بدعةٍ ضلالةٍ، وكل ضلالةٍ في النار، أما بعد.
All praise is due to Allah, whose help and forgiveness we seek. We seek refuge in Allah from whatever evil our hearts conceal and from the consequences of our evil deeds. Whoever Allah grants guidance will never be led astray. Whoever He allows to go astray will never find guidance. I bear witness that none is worthy of worship except Allah, who has no partners, and that Mohammad is His slave and Messenger.
The Holly Qura’an has many stories for us read with contemplation to learn their lessons; lesson we need so we may pass the test of the life and attain success. One of these important stories is the story of the first creation; the story of Adam Alaihi Assalam with Iblis. This story has a number of lessons. During today’s sermon we want to shed light on one othe scenes of the story. During the following sermons we shall speak about the other lessons.
When Allahu Azza Wajjal created Adam Alaihi Assalam in the most beautiful shape, He asked the angels to prostrate to Adam
وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَاكُمْ ثُمَّ صَوَّرْنَاكُمْ ثُمَّ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلائِكَةِ اسْجُدُواْ لآدَمَ فَسَجَدُواْ إِلاَّ إِبْلِيسَ لَمْ يَكُن مِّنَ السَّاجِدِينَ
“And surely, We created you (your father Adam) and then gave you shape (the noble shape of a human being), then We told the angels, "Prostrate to Adam", and they prostrated, except Iblis (Satan), he refused to be of those who prostrate.”
قَالَ مَا مَنَعَكَ أَلاَّ تَسْجُدَ إِذْ أَمَرْتُكَ قَالَ أَنَاْ خَيْرٌ مِّنْهُ خَلَقْتَنِي مِن نَّارٍ وَخَلَقْتَهُ مِن طِينٍ
(Allah) said: "What prevented you (O Iblis) that you did not prostrate, when I commanded you?" Iblis said: "I am better than him (Adam), You created me from fire, and him You created from clay."
قَالَ فَاهْبِطْ مِنْهَا فَمَا يَكُونُ لَكَ أَن تَتَكَبَّرَ فِيهَا فَاخْرُجْ إِنَّكَ مِنَ الصَّاغِرِينَ
(Allah) said: "(O Iblis) get down from this (Paradise), it is not for you to be arrogant here. Get out, for you are of those humiliated and disgraced."
Brothers and sisters in Islam, because of his arrogance, Satan (Iblis) praised himself over Adam and consequently disobeyed Allah’s direct Command! Indeed, arrogance is a grave sin! Arrogance is a satanic trait! Iblis was the first one who showed arrogance towards Allah and His Creatures.
Arrogance (الكبر) is not a trait of a true believer. To the contrary, arrogance is a characteristic of Satan (accursed Iblees). Satan disobeyed Allah’s Command and thus was expelled from Allah’s Mercy because of arrogance.
So, what is the definition of arrogance? And what are the consequences of such sin? And what to do to cleanse our hearts from it
Let’s contemplate this authentic prophetic narration in Sahih Muslim
عن عبدالله بن مسعود رضي الله عنه قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم"لَا يَدْخُلُ الْجَنَّةَ مَنْ كَانَ فِي قَلْبِهِ مِثْقَالُ ذَرَّةٍ مِنْ كِبْرٍ قَالَ رَجُلٌ إِنَّ الرَّجُلَ يُحِبُّ أَنْ يَكُونَ ثَوْبُهُ حَسَنًا وَنَعْلُهُ حَسَنَةً قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ جَمِيلٌ يُحِبُّ الْجَمَالَ، الْكِبْرُ بَطَرُ الْحَقِّ وَغَمْطُ النَّاسِ"
Abdullah ibn Mas’ood narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “No one who has an atom’s-weight of arrogance in his heart will enter Paradise.” A man said, “O Messenger of Allaah, what if a man likes his clothes and his shoes to look good?” He said, “Allaah is Beautiful and loves beauty. Arrogance means rejecting the truth and looking down on people.” (Muslim)
Allahu Akbar! No Jannah because of an atom’s weight of arrogance in the heart!!! Wallahi this hadith should cause a great deal of concern to every one of us! Who is free of an atom’s weight of arrogance!! Therefore, no everyone will enter Jannah! The prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam told us that from every 1000 people; 999 will go to hellfire and only one will go to Jannah! Indeed, it is a daunting duty of ours to cleanse our hearts to be free of an atom’s weight of arrogance! By Allah, This is a frightening hadith! Imagine an atom’s weight of arrogance will disqualify us from entering al-Jannah! Wallahi this is a serious matter!
So, what is the essence of arrogance that will cause the deprivation of Paradise?
Brothers and sisters in Islam, Allah’s Messengers gave us the scale and the measure; thus we need to weigh ourselves using this prophetic scale; Arrogance is rejecting the truth and looking down on people!
We need to question ourselves; am I arrogant! We need to examine ourselves and our behaviors; when someone reminds us or teaches us something; am I humble to accept the truth and the advice! Many of today’s Muslims lack humility! Otherwise, why do we see people are so argumentative and hardly would listen to the admonishment and the reminders and obey the commands in the book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam? Many of the struggles and fights between Muslims even blood brothers and sisters are attributed to the arrogance and pride in the hearts that prevent one another from humbling for the truth and respecting others stands.
We need humility so our hearts and minds will accept the truth; embrace it and use it. It is the humility that will make us respect one another and listen to one another! When someone enlightens us with it, we feel glad and thank him. Understandably, if the person doesn’t present Qura’anic and prophetic evidences to support the point being made, we have the right to ask for the evidences. This is our deed! But once the evidences are presented from reliable sources of knowledge, we shall humble ourselves for the truth!
Some people might be inflicted by this disease, the arrogance, for a reason; maybe because of their education; being a doctor, or an engineer, etc .. maybe you and I have met people who want others to address them by such designations and even they will act offensively if called by the first name with “Eng” or “Dr”! Some people might see themselves above others because of the social status, position, or wealth. Worse than those, the one who is arrogant despite the fact he or she has no worldly possessions, which indicate that arrogance is deep rooted in their hearts! Therefore the prophet Sallallahu Alahi Wassallam told us that amonge those Allah hates and won’t grant them Mercy is (وعائل مستكبر) .. “an arrogant poor person!” Ya Akhi, watch out! Seeing yourself above others and looking down on people; this is arrogance that will draw to you but Allah’s hate and the deprivation of Jannah!
I the story of Taaloot, the people refused the leadership of Taloot; “They said, "How can he be a king over us when we are better fitted than him for the kingdom, and he has not been given enough wealth." Arrogance prevented them from accepting Allah’s choice; “He said: "Verily, Allah has chosen him above you and has increased him abundantly in knowledge and stature. And Allah grants His Kingdom to whom He wills. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures' needs, All-Knower."
)وَقَالَ لَهُمْ نَبِيُّهُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ قَدْ بَعَثَ لَكُمْ طَالُوتَ مَلِكًا قَالُواْ أَنَّى يَكُونُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ عَلَيْنَا وَنَحْنُ أَحَقُّ بِالْمُلْكِ مِنْهُ وَلَمْ يُؤْتَ سَعَةً مِّنَ الْمَالِ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ اصْطَفَاهُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَزَادَهُ بَسْطَةً فِي الْعِلْمِ وَالْجِسْمِ وَاللَّهُ يُؤْتِي مُلْكَهُ مَن يَشَاء وَاللَّهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ(
To live a decent life; living in a nice house, driving a good car, putting on beautiful garments, etc; tnothing wrong with any of that. To the contrary, Allah is beautiful and likes beauty (as the prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam said). But sometimes people would spend a fortunate on such affairs out of arrogance dwelling their hearts desiring to distinguish themselves from others and feel being above of people. The distinction between these two scenarios is a fine line! It is something in your heart! Either humility or arrogance!
Another scene from the life of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam
عن سلمة بن الأكوع رضي الله عنه أن رجلاً أكل عند رسول الله -صلى الله عليه وسلم- بشماله، فقال له: كل بيمينك، قال: "لا أستطيع! "، ما منعه إلا الكبر ، فقال عليه الصلاة والسلام : لا استطعت؛ فما رفعها إلى فيه، رواه مسلم .
In Sahih Muslim, Salamah Ibn Al-Akwaa’ narrated Once there was a man eating in the presence of Rasullullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam but he was using his left hand while eating. The prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam said to him “eat by your right hand”, the man replied “I cannot” nothing prevented him but arrogance! Then the prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam made dua’aa against him “you shall not be able to use it” Allah answered his supplication! The man’s hand got paralyze!
Allahu Akbar! Arrogance prevented this man to listen and to obey the direct command of Rasullullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam ... Indeed, arrogance is a Satanic trait; who has it will not be shown guidance as Allah azza Wajjal Says:
)سَأَصْرِفُ عَنْ آيَاتِيَ الَّذِينَ يَتَكَبَّرُونَ فِي الأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ الْحَقِّ وَإِن يَرَوْا كُلَّ آيَةٍ لاَّ يُؤْمِنُواْ بِهَا وَإِن يَرَوْا سَبِيلَ الرُّشْدِ لاَ يَتَّخِذُوهُ سَبِيلاً وَإِن يَرَوْا سَبِيلَ الْغَيِّ يَتَّخِذُوهُ سَبِيلاً ذَلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ كَذَّبُواْ بِآيَاتِنَا وَكَانُواْ عَنْهَا غَافِلِينَ(
“I shall turn away from My Ayat (verses of the Qur'an) those who behave arrogantly on the earth, without a right, and (even) if they see all the Ayat(proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), they will not believe in them. And if they see the way of righteousness (monotheism, piety, and good deeds), they will not adopt it as the Way, but if they see the way of error (polytheism, crimes and evil deeds), they will adopt that way, that is because they have rejected Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) and were heedless (to learn a lesson) from them.” Al-Araaf, verse 146
Indeed, people with arrogance will not be able see the truth, will not listen to it. Their arrogance and pride will prevent them! They always choose the way of error and will adopt that way!
Think with me! What prevented the people of Makkah from accepting the message of Rasullullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam. They were certain of his truthfulness. He never said a lie! They were certain that the verses he was reciting were not words of any human being! It was arrogance and competition over status and earthly matters that prevented them from embracing the truth. They were seeing themselves better than him!
Think with me! What prevented the nations before from accepting the messages of their respective prophets and messengers; ARROGANCE!
Noah alaihi Assalam came to his people commanding them to worship only Allah and warning them a severe torment if they disobey. Their response was “who are you! You’re nothing but a human being like us! So they looked down on Noah; they looked down on the people who followed him; they demeaned them and degraded their thinking! They perceived themselves above them! They boldly declared their denial and even accused them as liars! Because of the arrogance, they were argumentative with Noah and yet they were not willing to listen to the argument of Noah Alaihi Assalam!
وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا نُوحًا إِلَى قَوْمِهِ إِنِّي لَكُمْ نَذِيرٌ مُّبِينٌ * أَن لاَّ تَعْبُدُواْ إِلاَّ اللَّهَ إِنِّيَ أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ أَلِيمٍ * فَقَالَ الْمَلأُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ مِن قَوْمِهِ مَا نَرَاكَ إِلاَّ بَشَرًا مِّثْلَنَا وَمَا نَرَاكَ اتَّبَعَكَ إِلاَّ الَّذِينَ هُمْ أَرَاذِلُنَا بَادِيَ الرَّأْيِ وَمَا نَرَى لَكُمْ عَلَيْنَا مِن فَضْلٍ بَلْ نَظُنُّكُمْ كَاذِبِينَ
The worst of examples of the ARROGANTS we read in the Qura’an was Pharaoh. Therefore, Allah azza Wajjal mentioned his story with Mosa Alaihi Assalam in many chapters of the Qura’an. Insha’Allah, we shall speak about Pharaoh and his arrogance during the coming sermon.
اللهم أرنا الحق حقا وارزقنا اتباعه وأرنا الباطل باطلا وأرزقنا اجتنابه اللهم حبب إلينا الإيمان وزينه في قلوبنا وكره إلينا الكفر والفسوق والعصيان واجعلنا اللهم من الراشدين
2nd Sermon
Brothers and sisters, there is no magical remedy to such disease! In fact, the remedy of such disease is hard and difficult! Because it is a disease that inflicts the heart! It’s hidden! And th person inflicted by lives in denial and will never seek help from a specialized heart healer! This is the nature of this disease!
Therefore, the first thing you and I need to do is to throw ourselves before Allah with absolute humility invoking His help day and night to cleanse our hearts from any traces of arrogance and to grant us humility. Wallahi, if our prayers won’t be answered and Allah leaves us to ourselves, we will go astray! Arrogance has its seeds inside the heart of everyone and Satan will feed it to grow it and use it to lead us astray! So, Supplication Supplication hoping that Allah will answer our dua’aa
Secondly, take a close friend; at least one! To be your mentor; your mirror! A friend who has Islamic knowledge and wisdom; a friend who loves good for you. Such a friend will confront you face to face to tell you your mistakes and lash you with candid advices; a friend who will dare to warn you if you acted arrogantly (by not humbling for the advice or by looking down on people); and you will listen to his advice! By doing this, you will discipline yourself to be humble and respecting to others and to the advice.
Thirdly, we need to discipline ourselves to listen to the advice with open ears and closed mouth! Once the advice is delivered, just say “Thank you so much” and give yourself a chance to think it and if it is true to adopt it. This approach would be difficult yet is it a proven strategy to humble ourselves for the advice! Don’t give answers or become defensive! Listen; Acknowledge; Thank the person; Walk away; think about it; Accept it and use it if it’s the truth.
Brothers and sisters, we need to humble ourselves to the advice and the truth; and to the people who are carrying it to us! … a youngster might approach you with a sincere advice; open your heart to it and accept it! You might have a position of power at your company or at a society even at your home; remember leaders are humble people and because of their humbleness they listen to others with respect and consideration. Therefore, those are the kind of leaders who make significant contribution to their organizations and cause them to grow and prosper. Those are the leaders who set themselves as an example to follow.
Humbleness is a prophetic trait! Once a woman stood before the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam and she seemed afraid and trembling and shaky. The Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam asked her to take it easy by saying “I am just a person whose mother used to eat dried meat” … Allahu Akbar! He Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam the best of ALL human being yet he was so humble with people.
Another remedy for arrogance is for to remember that on the Day of Resurrection the arrogant person will be gathered in a small form like an ant which will be trampled underfoot; to remember that arrogant people are hated by other people just as they are hated by Allah; People will turn away from us if we show arrogance; not listening to them and not respecting them! People love humble, tolerant and gentle people. So, to make friends, to live healthy life, to learn from one another, to grow our relations and our knowledge, we need to be humble!
I beg of Allah to forgive our sins and cleanse our hearts to accept the truth and the advice and to treat everyone with respect and dignity. O Allah, cleanse our heart from any traces of arrogance and pride and grant us humility to embrace the truth.
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