The Negative Qualities of Mankind in the Holy Qur’an (2/5)

Being Quarrelsome and Opponent

Allah the Exalted says: “He has created man from Nutfah (mixed drops of male and female sexual discharge), then behold, this same (man) becomes an open opponent.” (Surah An-Nahl, 16:4)

And says: “But, man is ever more quarrelsome than anything.” (Surah Al-Kahf, 18:54)

This human being which was created from a mixture of male and female fluids soon becomes an open opponent and disputes the Rubb Who Created him from nothing; and blew the soul into him. He bestowed upon him the powers of sight, hearing and thinking. But the human being still disputes over the Oneness of Allah and that there is no true deity to be worshipped alone except Him. In this regard, the human being is not right as anyone who claims non-existence of Allah or disbelieves in His oneness lacks knowledge and is arrogant. There are many creatures upon earth, but they are less quarrelsome and less opponent than man.

Allah tells us in the Holy Qur’an that man is an open opponent, so one should not be arrogant to deny His Knowledge and Power. Such adverse traits are the qualities of the hypocrites who are really very severe in disputes and it is said that they are “severe if they have a dispute” the believers, on the contrary can best abandon disputes and discuss matters in the best manner. In this connection Allah the Exalted says:

“Invite (mankind, O Muhammad) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Revelation and the Qur’an) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better.” (Surah An-Nahl, 16:125)

Impatience

Allah the Exalted says: “And man is ever hasty [i.e., if he is angry with somebody, he invokes (saying): “O Allah! Curse him,” and that one should not do, but one should be patient].” (Surah Al-Isra', 17:11)

And says: “Man is created of haste. I will show you My Ayat (torments, proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.). So ask Me not to hasten (them).” (Surah Al-Anbiyah', 21:37)

The human being is impatient because he does not know what is going to happen, one may be hurried and meet his end. He cannot control himself against lust and desires at times, but the believer who wholly relies on Allah is always content and patient. Patience is a high quality of high class people. The master of Bani Tamim was once addressed by the Prophet salla Allah alayhi wa sallam: “You have two qualities, Allah likes: patience and forgiveness”. [Narrated by Muslim, Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhi and Ahmed]

Believers are also wise, calm, confident, and always at ease, but the disbeliever is always impatient, unsure, and easily provoked.

Miserliness

Allah the Exalted says: “Say (to the disbelievers): “If you possessed the treasure of the Mercy of my Lord (wealth, money, provision), then you would surely, hold back (from spending) for fear of (being exhausted), and man is ever miserly!”” (Surah Al-Isra', 17:100)

If all the graces of Allah as great as they are were in the hands of the human beings they would have not been un-miserly, thinking that they would run short. Unless one believes in the unlimited graces of Allah and trains oneself to be a donor and hospitable one will remain miserly. Allah loves un-miserliness and benevolence.

 “Those who are misers and enjoin upon people miserliness - (Allah is not in need of their charity). And whosoever turns away (from Faith - Allah’s Monotheism), then Allah is All-Rich (Free of all needs), Worthy of all praise.” (Surah Al-Hadid, 57:24)

The persons who give and show hospitality to others are loved by Allah and the miserly ones are hated by Allah and people.

Ignorance

Allah the Exalted says: “Truly, We did offer Al Amanah (the trust or moral responsibility or honesty and all the duties which Allah has ordained) to the heavens and the earth, and the mountains, but they declined to bear it and were afraid of it (i.e. afraid of Allah’s Torment). But man bore it. Verily, he was unjust (to himself) and ignorant (of its results).” (Surah Al-Ahzab, 33:72)

Piety and righteousness are the responsibility mankind accepted whereas the Heavens and earth and the mountain could not bear it. Mankind being ignorant of the outcomes and the unseen accepted such responsibility: Though man is weak and helpless he accepted such a great responsibility and made himself responsible and will be reckoned for it before Allah. Whoever becomes pious and carries out such duties as Allah ordered will be rewarded in the Hereafter and if one neglects such Divine orders and behaves against the guidance of the revelation, he will be tortured severely as he will thus deserve the wrath of the All-Great, the Rubb of the Heavens and earth. The ones who fail to be pious and religious prove to be as Allah described them in the above Aya; ignorant and unfair to others and themselves.

(Continued)