The Holy Qur’an describes many characteristics of human beings, through which we come to understand and know ourselves, in order to preserve the good and treat the bad, so that man can fulfill his mission. The Holy Qur’an accurately describes the nature of man and his fickle characteristics, referring to his weakness and haste, his love of money and his eagerness for the world. It also describes him as argumentative, unjust, ignorant, tyrannical and ungrateful, in addition to despair, excessive joy and pride. Some of these qualities are innate and need to be refined and controlled, while others are acquired through behavior, so that they are in constant need of guidance and refinement.
Weakness
God Almighty has described humanity as a being with inherent weaknesses, which include not only physical but also psychological vulnerabilities.
And Allah wants to lighten for you [your difficulties]; and mankind was created weak.
Panic
The Almighty has described the human being as a panicky creature, and panic is the lack of restraint when something sad or pleasant occurs, or when it is expected and feared.
Quran Soura 70 Aya 19-21 :
۞ إِنَّ الْإِنسَانَ خُلِقَ هَلُوعًا
Indeed, mankind was created anxious:
إِذَا مَسَّهُ الشَّرُّ جَزُوعًا
When evil touches him, impatient,
وَإِذَا مَسَّهُ الْخَيْرُ مَنُوعًا
And when good touches him, withholding [of it],
Argumentative
God Almighty has described man as the most argumentative of all beings.
And We have certainly diversified in this Qur’an for the people from every [kind of] example; but man has ever been, most of anything, [prone to] dispute.
Say [to them], ’ If you possessed the depositories of the mercy of my Lord, then you would withhold out of fear of spending.’ And ever has man been stingy.
And if a woman fears from her husband contempt or evasion, there is no sin upon them if they make terms of settlement between them - and settlement is best. And present in [human] souls is stinginess. But if you do good and fear Allah - then indeed Allah is ever, with what you do, Acquainted.
Injustice and ignorance
Man was created in ignorance; he is inherently uninformed and inclined to whatever evil he desires; he needs detailed knowledge to remove his ignorance, and justice in his love and hatred, his satisfaction and anger, his actions and omissions, and his giving and withholding.
Indeed, we offered the Trust to the heavens and the earth and the mountains, and they declined to bear it and feared it; but man [undertook to] bear it. Indeed, he was unjust and ignorant.
And He gave you from all you asked of Him. And if you should count the favor of Allah, you could not enumerate them. Indeed, mankind is [generally] most unjust and ungrateful.
Ungratefulness of grace
A kanood is one who is imprinted with ungratefulness.
And He gave you from all you asked of Him. And if you should count the favor of Allah, you could not enumerate them. Indeed, mankind is [generally] most unjust and ungrateful.
Quran Soura 80 Aya 17-24 :
قُتِلَ الْإِنسَانُ مَا أَكْفَرَهُ
Cursed is man; how disbelieving is he.
مِنْ أَيِّ شَيْءٍ خَلَقَهُ
From what substance did He create him?
مِن نُّطْفَةٍ خَلَقَهُ فَقَدَّرَهُ
From a sperm-drop He created him and destined for him;
ثُمَّ السَّبِيلَ يَسَّرَهُ
Then He eased the way for him;
ثُمَّ أَمَاتَهُ فَأَقْبَرَهُ
Then He causes his death and provides a grave for him.
ثُمَّ إِذَا شَاءَ أَنشَرَهُ
Then when He wills, He will resurrect him.
كَلَّا لَمَّا يَقْضِ مَا أَمَرَهُ
No! Man has not yet accomplished what He commanded him.
فَلْيَنظُرِ الْإِنسَانُ إِلَىٰ طَعَامِهِ
Then let mankind look at his food -
Tyranny
The Almighty has shown that it is in man’s nature to be tyrannical and rebellious when he sees himself as wealthy.
But if We give him a taste of favor after hardship has touched him, he will surely say, ’ Bad times have left me.’ Indeed, he is exultant and boastful -
Man is not weary of supplication for good [things], but if evil touches him, he is hopeless and despairing.
Joy
In the Holy Qur’an, man is described in the form of joy as an exaggerated form of the verb “to rejoice” to signify the futility of that ungrateful man.
But if We give him a taste of favor after hardship has touched him, he will surely say, ’ Bad times have left me.’ Indeed, he is exultant and boastful -
Indeed, Qarun was from the people of Moses, but he tyrannized them. And We gave him of treasures whose keys would burden a band of strong men; thereupon his people said to him, ’ Do not exult. Indeed, Allah does not like the exultant.
Pride
In the Qur’an, man is described as proud and boastful, with the exaggerated form “proud” on the weight of the verb “to do” to signify the severity of pride and arrogance of the ungrateful human being.
But if We give him a taste of favor after hardship has touched him, he will surely say, ’ Bad times have left me.’ Indeed, he is exultant and boastful -
And do not turn your cheek [in contempt] toward people and do not walk through the earth exultantly. Indeed, Allah does not like everyone self-deluded and boastful.
In order that you not despair over what has eluded you and not exult [in pride] over what He has given you. And Allah does not like everyone self-deluded and boastful -
