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Satan deceived our first parents by suggesting that God Almighty was keeping something from them—eternity and kingship—attributes that belong to God. Now cast in this worldly life, we are attired in the clothing of our cultures and tribes, and taught customs, traditions, beliefs, and dogmas. We learn to communicate and mimic ‘acceptable’ behavior. All the while, Satan, the master Hypnotist, is unrelenting in keeping his promise to deceive and mislead us.
He said, “Since You have willed that I go astray, I will skulk for them on Your straight path.” (7:16)
He said, “My Lord, since You have willed that I go astray, I will surely entice them on earth; I will send them all astray.” (15:39)
Despite having received God’s divine scriptures and being immersed in His signs and proofs, legions of humans in each generation choose to remain under Satan’s hypnotic trance. Led astray, they fail to realize that all sovereignty and ownership belongs to God alone. Satan infuses thoughts in the mind to doubt God’s Sovereignty, Omnipotence and Power, and hypnotizes his human subjects to erect all manner of intercessors and idols, be they physical or in the imagination.
We have committed to Hell multitudes of jinns and humans. They have minds with which they do not understand, eyes with which they do not see, and ears with which they do not hear. They are like animals; no, they are far worse―they are totally unaware. (7:179)
There are many examples in the Quran of how Satan misleads people to be dismissive of God’s Omnipotence and Power.
Humans implore God during adversity, but many remain ungrateful, and cling to their idols, possessions, and false beliefs. And when we bless him after suffering some adversity, he says, “This belongs to me. I do not believe that the Hour will ever come to pass. Even if I am returned to my Lord, I will find at Him better things.” Most certainly, we will inform the disbelievers of all their works, and will commit them to severe retribution. (41:50)
During Prophet Muhammad’s lifetime, he and a group of believers were engaged in battle with the enemy. Some people among the believers arrogantly insisted that they should have control over matters (i.e., should be able to avoid battle and thus evade death): After the setback, He sent down upon you peaceful slumber that pacified some of you. Others among you were selfishly concerned about themselves. They harbored thoughts about God that were not right―the same thoughts they had harbored during the days of ignorance. Thus, they said, “Is anything up to us?” Say, “Everything is up to God.” They concealed inside themselves what they did not reveal to you. They said, “If it was up to us, none of us would have been killed in this battle.” ... (3:154)
Pharaoh thought he was a god, believed that he had absolute power, and “owned” rivers: Pharaoh announced to his people, “O my people, do I not possess the kingship over Egypt, and these flowing rivers belong to me? Do you not see? (43:51)
Qãroon was obsessed with his wealth, he felt invincible, and oppressed others: Qãroon (the slave driver) was one of Moses’ people who betrayed them and oppressed them. We gave him so many treasures that the keys thereof were almost too heavy for the strongest band. His people said to him, “Do not be so arrogant; God does not love those who are arrogant. (28:76)
Some people engage in idolatry by associating partners with God. They even give “offerings” to God and their idols. Others give credit to agents and forces they think can help them (Quran 6:136).
Each person’s ego is a major culprit and emissary of Satan who leads individuals to engage in selfishness, self-worship and arrogance, revere their opinions, dismiss God’s guidance, and commit evil.
Recall that Moses said to his people, “O my people, you have wronged your souls by worshiping the calf. You must repent to your Creator. You shall kill your egos. This is better for you in the sight of your Creator.” He did redeem you. He is the Redeemer, Most Merciful. (2:54)
Have you seen the one whose god is his own ego? Will you be his advocate? (25:43)
Unshackled from the satanic trance, Prophet Abraham is the example of unsullied human submission to God. Using his God-given intelligence, common sense, and inborn awareness of God, Abraham contemplated the source of the heavens and earth and concluded that only God is his Creator, Lord, and Master. Abraham disowned all forms of idolatry.
“I am against them [statues and idols of his people], for I am devoted only to the Lord of the universe. “The One who created me and guided me. “The One who feeds me and waters me. “And when I get sick, He heals me. “The One who puts me to death, then brings me back to life. “The One who hopefully will forgive my sins on the Day of Judgment. (26:77-82)
Submission to God alone necessitates that one seeks God’s guidance to be aware that only God owns, knows, and controls all things. We should beseech God to make us mindful daily of His Sovereignty, Lordship and Ownership. When an affliction befalls them, they say, “We belong to God, and to Him we are returning.” (2:156)
They remember God while standing, sitting, and on their sides, and they reflect upon the creation of the heavens and the earth: “Our Lord, You did not create all this in vain. Be You glorified. Save us from the retribution of Hell. (3:191)
To Him belongs everything in the heavens and the earth and therefore, the religion shall be devoted absolutely to Him alone. Would you worship other than God? (16:52)