The Negative Qualities of Mankind in the Holy Qur’an

[ابوالوليد المسلم]

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

Sheikh Abdullah Muhammad Al-Mo’taz
Transgression and Ungratitude
Allah the Exalted says: “Nay! Verily, man does transgress (in disbelief and evil deed). Because he considers himself self-sufficient.” (Surah Al-Alaq, 96:6-7)
And says: “Verily! Man (disbeliever) is ungrateful to his Lord.” (Surah Al-Aadiyaat, 100:6)
Many human beings in general do not express gratitude to Allah. They transgress and disobey, feel proud for wealth and impatient for poverty. The acts of many human beings reflect ungratitude and transgression and they themselves become witnesses for that.
Allah the Exalted says: “And to that fact he bears witness (by his deeds).” (Surah Al-Aadiyaat, 100:7)
The human being to get rid of these bad qualities should avoid worldly desires except in the allowed ways and should always think of the spiritual pleasure and the Hereafter reward.
Turning away and Heedlessness
Turning away is a common human bad quality.
Allah the Exalted says: “Draws near for mankind their reckoning, while they turn away in heedlessness.” (Surah Al-Anbiya', 21:1)
And says: “…And when We show favour to man, he withdraws and turns away…” (Surah Fussilat, 41:51)
And says: “…And verily, many among mankind are heedless of Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.).” (Surah Yunus, 10:92)
Many people are heedless towards Allah’s Ayat (signs). They show little care about that and scarcely look upon them. When they are living happy they never think of Allah, Paradise or Hell, penalty or reward. They remain ungrateful for Allah’s graces and forget all about his orders. Many people spend their lives in such a manner.
Allah the Exalted says: “And warn them (O Muhammad salla Allah alayhi wa sallam) of the Day of grief and regrets, when the case has been decided, while (now) they are in a state of carelessness.” (Surah Maryam, 19:39)
The ones, whose quality is this, are superficial and stupid because they never think of the Hereafter and think that they are created for no purpose. They should, on the contrary, love themselves and save themselves the penalties to come, if they do not, believe, repent and do good deeds, Hell torture is inevitable.
Allah the Exalted says: “Lest a person should say: “Alas, my grief that I was undutiful to Allah (i.e. I have not done what Allah has ordered me to do), and I was indeed among those who mocked [at the truth! i.e. La ilaha illallah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah), the Qur’an, and Muhammad salla Allah alayhi wa sallam and at the faithful believers].” (Surah Az-Zumar, 39:56)
Great Loss

Allah the Exalted says: “By the time. Verily, man is in loss. Except those who believe (in Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds, and recommend one another to the truth and recommend one another to patience.” (Surah Al-Asr, 103:1-3)
Except the right path of Allah for life and death, every other path is that of misguidance and great loss. In this Surah Allah has summed up the qualities of the people who will win, Imam Shafi’i said: If no Surah, other than this one had not been revealed, this Surah could have been enough for ever for all peoples. Great many people have been described as losers, except the ones who have the following qualities:
(a) Belief in the Oneness of Allah.
(b) Doing righteous deeds.
(c) Recommending one another to the truth, and abstaining from all kinds of sins and bad deeds.
(d) Recommending one another to patience in life for sufferings, mishaps, and injuries one may encounter in the way of Allah.
Faith is, verbal and practical and its performance is by the limbs. It increases by doing good deeds and decreases by evil ones. This definition of faith is that of the Majority or Jama’ah who follow the Qur’an and Sunnah.
Only such a faith is the source of all good deeds.
Allah the Exalted says: “See you not how Allah sets forth a parable? A goodly word as a goodly tree, whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches (reach) to the sky (i.e. very high).Giving its fruit at all times, by the Leave of its Lord, and Allah sets forth parables for mankind in order that they may remember.” (Surah Ibrahim, 14:24-25)
On the other hand, lack of faith is the cause of every evil.
Allah the Exalted says: “And whoever assigns partners to Allah, it is as if he had fallen from the sky, and the birds had snatched him, or the wind had thrown him to a far off place.” (Surah Al-Hajj, 22:31)
And says: “And the parable of an evil word is that of an evil tree uprooted from the surface of earth, having no stability.” (Surah Ibrahim, 14:26)
Belief by itself, unless accompanied by translation into deeds of positive results, will remain theoretical. Such faith is not enough unless practised in the form of righteous deeds. In addition, one must encourage the good in general, and forbid vice, persuade and call other persons to do righteous deeds and abandon every evil act. This is the right path of the followers of Prophet Muhammad salla Allah alayhi wa sallam.

Allah the Exalted says to Muhammad salla Allah alayhi wa sallam and his followers: “Say (O Muhammad salla Allah alayhi wa sallam): “This is my way; I invite unto Allah (i.e. to the Oneness of Allah — Islamic Monotheism) with sure knowledge, I and whosoever follows me (also must invite others to Allah i.e. to the Oneness of Allah — Islamic Monotheism with sure knowledge.” (Surah Yusuf, 12:108)
Without calling to the right path and recommending righteous deeds no individual nor can any society be really happy.
Allah the Exalted says: “You are the best of peoples ever raised up for mankind; you enjoin Al-Ma’ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam has ordained) and forbid Al Munkar (polytheism, disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden), and you believe in Allah. And had the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) believed, it would have been better for them; among them are some who have Faith, but most of them are Al-Fasiqun (disobedient to Allah and rebellious against Allah’s Command).” (Surah Ale-Imran, 3:110)
The individuals who encourage the good deeds and forbid evil acts, shall inevitably encounter some troubles from the opponents who will try to impede their efforts. But they have to be patient enough to tolerate such counter acts.

Allah the Exalted says: Luqman said “O my son! Aqim is Salat (perform As Salat), enjoin (on people) Al Ma’ruf (Islamic Monotheism and all that is good), and forbid (people) from Al Munkar (i.e. disbelief in the Oneness of Allah, polytheism of all kinds and all that is evil and bad), and bear with patience whatever befalls you. Verily, these are some of the important commandments (ordered by Allah with no exemption).” (Surah Luqman, 31:17)