True Followers of Satan
Imam Ali’s (AS) principles of life were, in all aspects, based on the Quran and Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). In his social life, he also acted based on the Divine orders and Nabawi Seerah, which can be considered as a perfect example for everyone to follow.
Bakhshali Ghanbari, a Nahj al-Balagha researcher, discussed “social morality based on Nahj al-Balagha” in a series of lectures. Here are excerpts from the thirteenth session on “Avoiding Haughtiness”:
The Sermon 192 of Nahj al-Balagha, known as Khubta Qasi’ah, is the longest sermon of the book.
Imam (AS) delivered the sermon in Kufa when he received the news that people from different tribes boasted to one another bout their ancestors, wealth, properties, etc.
It got so intense that once Imam Ali (AS) ordered the muezzin to recite the Adhan. In those days, the Adhan was recited for two reasons: for salah and to call people to gather for important matters. After people gathered, Imam Ali (AS) delivered the sermon, all of which is about the need to avoid haughtiness and boasting.
Haughtiness or arrogance is comparing ourselves to others and considering ourselves superior to others. For example a teacher may regard himself as being superior to his colleagues. This is haughtiness, which originates in selfishness.
Imam Ali (AS) cites different reasons for haughtiness. But regardless of the reasons and roots, this sermon underlines that those who are haughty and arrogant are true followers of Satan, the accursed.
It is because Satan boasted about his creation and refused to prostrate before Adam, who had been created from clay. So those who consider themselves to be superior to others and refuse to act humbly before other people are true followers of Satan, whether they know it or not.
That is why in this sermon, Imam (AS) emphasizes that the origin of haughtiness is Satan, the first one who showed arrogance and boasted about himself.
Imam Ali (AS) says: “He (Satan) felt proud over Adam by virtue of his creation and boasted over him on account of his origin. Thus, this enemy of Allah is the leader of those who boast, and the fore-runner of the vain.”
So one of the characteristics of those who follow Satan is haughtiness and boasting.
