The Illusion of Power: A reflection on Surah Al– Hajj (22:17–18)

After speaking about fragile faith…

Faith that collapses when life becomes difficult…

Faith attached more to comfort than conviction…

Surah Al-Hajj now turns our attention toward something even deeper:

The illusion of power.

What does human power actually mean?

What is status before the One who controls the heavens and the earth?

What value does influence have…

If the heart itself remains distant from Allah?

The dunya constantly teaches people to chase elevation.

To be admired.

To be followed.

To be feared.

To appear untouchable.

But these ayahs quietly dismantle every false definition of honor mankind has created.

Because true dignity was never found in being elevated before people.

True dignity has always belonged to those who humble themselves before Allah.

And while mankind competes endlessly for power…

The entire universe is already in submission to its Creator.

The sun.

The moon.

The mountains.

The trees.

The stars.

The animals.

Everything already recognizes Allah’s greatness.

The question these verses leave behind is deeply personal:

If all of creation bows before Allah…

Then what is preventing the human heart from doing the same?

The Final Judgment Belongs to Allah

Allah says:

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَالَّذِينَ هَادُوا وَالصَّابِئِينَ وَالنَّصَارَىٰ وَالْمَجُوسَ وَالَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُوا إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَفْصِلُ بَيْنَهُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ شَهِيدٌ

“Indeed, those who believed, and those who were Jews, and the Sabians, and the Christians, and the Magians, and those who associated others with Allah — Allah will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection. Surely Allah is Witness over all things.”–Qur’an 22:17

This ayah immediately removes one of humanity’s greatest illusions:

The illusion that people decide truth.

People spend their lives trying to prove themselves right.

Communities argue over superiority.

Nations compete for dominance.

Every group believes it possesses certainty, permanence, and authority.

But Allah ends the argument in one sentence:

“Allah will judge between them.”

Not society.

Not popularity.

Not followers.

Not influence.

Not power.

The final word has always belonged to Allah.

And this ayah humbles the ego in a profound way.

Because truth is not determined by how loudly it is defended…

But by what Allah accepts.

Then Allah reminds us:

“Indeed, Allah is Witness over all things.”

Nothing escapes Him.

Not the arrogance hidden behind religious appearances.

Not the sincerity hidden inside silent worship.

Not the pride people conceal behind knowledge, status, or influence.

Every hidden intention.

Every secret thought.

Every quiet act of sincerity.

Every moment the heart chose Allah over its desires.

Allah sees all of it.

And perhaps that is what makes this ayah so terrifying and comforting at the same time.

Terrifying for the arrogant.

Comforting for the sincere.

Because even when the world misunderstands you…

Allah never does.

An Entire Universe in Sajdah

Allah then says:

أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ يَسْجُدُ لَهُ مَن فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَن فِي الْأَرْضِ وَالشَّمْسُ وَالْقَمَرُ وَالنُّجُومُ وَالْجِبَالُ وَالشَّجَرُ وَالدَّوَابُّ وَكَثِيرٌ مِّنَ النَّاسِ ۖ وَكَثِيرٌ حَقَّ عَلَيْهِ الْعَذَابُ ۗ وَمَن يُهِنِ اللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُ مِن مُّكْرِمٍ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَفْعَلُ مَا يَشَاءُ

“Do you not see that to Allah prostrates whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth, and the sun, the moon, the stars, the mountains, the trees, the moving creatures, and many of the people? But upon many the punishment has been justified. And whoever Allah humiliates — none can honor him. Surely Allah does whatever He wills.” – Qur’an 22:18

This ayah is breathtaking.

Allah describes an entire universe in sujood.

The sun never misses its course.

The moon appears exactly when commanded.

The stars move with perfect precision.

The mountains stand in silent obedience.

The trees sway according to Allah’s will.

Even animals live according to the nature Allah created for them.

Everything submits.

Everything knows its place before Allah.

And then comes the painful contrast:

“And many of the people…”

Not all.

Because humans were given something the rest of creation was not:

Choice.

The rest of creation submits naturally.

But mankind was given the ability to either bow willingly before Allah…

Or live in rebellion against the One who created them.

And perhaps that is why arrogance is so dangerous.

Because arrogance is not merely pride.It is the refusal to submit.

The Reality of Sajdah

Sujood is not merely placing the forehead on the ground.

It is the position of the heart.

A person can physically prostrate…

While their heart remains filled with pride.

And another can be completely broken before Allah…

Long before their forehead touches the ground.

Because true sajdah is surrender.

It is admitting:

I am not in control.

My strength is temporary.

My status means nothing before Allah.

I need Him for every breath I take.

The world teaches people to stand tall.

Islam teaches us that the closest position to Allah is when we lower ourselves before Him.

And that is the irony of honor in Islam:

The more sincerely a person humbles themselves before Allah…

The more Allah elevates them.

Not always before people.

Not always publicly.

Not always through status or recognition.

But spiritually.

Internally.

Eternally.

Because real honor is not something people can give.

And it is not something people can take away.

The Illusion of Power

This dunya constantly associates honor with visibility.

Who is admired.

Who is feared.

Who is wealthy.

Who is influential.

Who appears untouchable.

But Allah destroys this illusion in one unforgettable line:

“And whoever Allah humiliates – none can honor him.”

People may praise someone endlessly.

Society may glorify them.

They may possess beauty, influence, wealth, followers, or authority.

But if they are distant from Allah…

What honor do they truly possess?

And on the other hand…

A believer unknown to the world may be deeply honored in the heavens because of a sincere heart and hidden sujood.

Not everyone who looks powerful is truly honored.

And not everyone who looks small is insignificant.

Allah alone decides dignity.

And perhaps one of the greatest deceptions of dunya is this:

People spend their lives chasing the approval of creation…

While neglecting the One who created them.

The Weight of What and Who We Bow To

These ayahs force us to ask ourselves something uncomfortable:

What am I bowing to besides Allah?

Because sajdah is not only physical.

People prostrate to validation.

To fame.

To desires.

To money.

To relationships.

To careers.

To their own ego.

Whatever controls your heart…

Becomes what you submit to.

Surah Al-Hajj reminds us that the entire universe already recognizes Allah’s greatness.

The only creation struggling with arrogance is mankind.

And perhaps that is why sujood softens the heart in a way nothing else can.

Because every sajdah becomes a reminder:

You are not the center of existence.

Allah is.

The world may make arrogance appear powerful.

But on the Day of Judgment, the truly honored people will not be those who stood tallest before creation…

They will be those who bowed the lowest before Allah.