Islam The Voice of Human Nature
1. THE TRIAL OF MAN
~ 11 ~
Man being God’s servant must prostrate himself
first and foremost, before his Master. But in
everyday situations, it often happens that in his
immediate environment there are individuals who
have some claim upon him or some right to assert
over him. These are the ‘Adams’ before whom he
must bow at the behest of the Almighty. This is a
test, which God sets for man in life. It is an exacting
test, because although human beings are quite
prepared to bow before God, His superiority being
unassailable, they find it difficult to acknowledge
the rights of other ordinary individuals, who, they
feel are in no way superior to themselves. This is
when the ‘Satan’ in them comes alive and drives
them to the perversity of ignoring, or denying the
rights of others. They refuse to bow before Adam,
despite this being a commandment of that very
deity before whom they regularly prostrate
themselves. Like Satan before them, they refuse to
bow to those whom they consider inferior to
themselves. It is the same superiority complex, the
same hubris, that held Satan aloof when the Angels
were prostrating themselves before Adam –
whether they are conscious of it or not - which
prevents them from carrying out the will of God.
