Istakhbara

By Author: Ibrahim Machiwala Lodhi
Total Articles: 463
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The verb istakhbara is used forty times in the Koran and its participle, mustakbir, six times. Pride (takabbur) is very often denounced by the Koran as a sin, because of its similarity to a form of partnership with God. Pride is the sin of all those who refuse to surrender to God. It was also Satan's first sin (2:34, 38:73-4). Pride is also the sin of those who did not listen to the Prophets' message, and this was the case of Noah's folk: "And they magnified themselves in pride" (71:7); of Saleh's people: "The leaders of those who were arrogant among his people" (7:75) said "Verily, we are disbelievers in that which you believe" (7:76); of Shuaib's relatives: "The chiefs of those who were arrogant" (7:88), and of Hud's kinsfolk: "As for Ad, they were arrogant" (41:15).

Pride makes people blind and unable to recognize the sign of God and to worship their Lord righteously: "But as for those who refused His worship and were proud, He will punish them with a painful torment" (4:173). In fact, "Those who reject Our signs and treat them with arrogance, they are the dwellers of the fire" (7:36). Ultimately, "He likes not the ...
... proud" (16:23) and "seals up the heart of every arrogant tyrant" (40:35). As for those who are not proud, God will welcome them with His satisfaction and will accept their worship. All creatures "prostrate to God