﴿إِنَّ قَارُونَ كَانَ مِنْ قَوْمِ مُوسَى فَبَغَى عَلَيْهِمْ ۖ وَآتَيْنَاهُ مِنَ الْكُنُوزِ مَا إِنَّ مَفَاتِحَهُ لَتَنُوءُ بِالْعُصْبَةِ أُولِي الْقُوَّةِ إِذْ قَالَ لَهُ قَوْمُهُ لَا تَفْرَحْ ۖ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ الْفَرِحِينَ﴾[1]; “Indeed, Qarun was from the people of Musa. He then oppressed them. And We gave him something from the treasures, whose keys would burden a group of strong men! When his people said to him: ‘Do not exult, for Allah does not like the exultant.’” Some others are conceited about their military might, such as the rulers of Saba, about whom Allah Almighty has said: ﴿قَالُوا نَحْنُ أُولُو قُوَّةٍ وَأُولُو بَأْسٍ شَدِيدٍ وَالْأَمْرُ إِلَيْكِ فَانْظُرِي مَاذَا تَأْمُرِينَ﴾[2]; “They said: ‘We possess strength and great military forces. And the decision is yours, so consider what you will command.’” Some others are conceited about their physical strength, such as ‘Ad, about whom Allah Almighty has said: ﴿فَأَمَّا عَادٌ فَاسْتَكْبَرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ الْحَقِّ وَقَالُوا مَنْ أَشَدُّ مِنَّا قُوَّةً ۖ أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا أَنَّ اللَّهَ الَّذِي خَلَقَهُمْ هُوَ أَشَدُّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةً ۖ وَكَانُوا بِآيَاتِنَا يَجْحَدُونَ﴾[3]; “As for ‘Ad, they acted arrogantly on the Earth without right and said: ‘Who is stronger than us?!’ Did they not see that Allah, Who created them, is Stronger than them?! And they denied Our signs.” Some others are conceited about their great numbers, such as those about whom Allah Almighty has said: ﴿أَمْ يَقُولُونَ نَحْنُ جَمِيعٌ مُنْتَصِرٌ﴾[4]; “Or they say: ‘We are a great multitude (bound to be) victorious.’” Some others are conceited about their knowledge, such as those about whom Allah Almighty has said: ﴿فَلَمَّا جَاءَتْهُمْ رُسُلُهُمْ بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ فَرِحُوا بِمَا عِنْدَهُمْ مِنَ الْعِلْمِ وَحَاقَ بِهِمْ مَا كَانُوا بِهِ يَسْتَهْزِئُونَ﴾[5]; “Then, when their Prophets came to them with clear signs, they rejoiced in what they had of knowledge, and that which they used to ridicule engulfed them.”

[The Consequences of Arrogance]

All these people are prevented from knowing the truth due to their arrogance; because, due to their enjoyment of one strength, they overlook their lack of other strengths, and due to their fascination with something they possess, they turn a blind eye to things they do not possess. Otherwise, it is clear that none but Allah is perfect, and whoever has strength also has weakness. If a person is free from one weakness, he is afflicted with another, and an intellectual is one who is aware of both his weaknesses and strengths.