A person's pride is often born out of the way he or she places too much importance on things in life, such as position, relationships, power and wealth. A wise man is one who can resist all temptations to depend on these things for his existence and self-worth. In other words, to be humble and rely on God alone.

Isaiah 23:1-18 attempts to address the classic struggle in our humanity of pride. Tyre and Sidon were eventually punished by God. Both were important cities in the past that served as centres of trade. The reference to the “ship of tarshish” originating from the ancient Mediterranean shows the importance of Tyre to world trade. Meanwhile, Sidon was also connected to these trade routes.

In the end God humbled these magnificent cities. The inhabitants felt that in all their progress they no longer needed God. The fall of Tyre and Sidon was inevitable. God himself brought them down. They were invited to learn that no entity has the right to exalt itself before God.

Reflecting on this verse, we are confronted with the modern world that often considers possessions, wealth, and profit as new gods to be worshipped. People direct themselves towards these things, forgetting their main duty and obligation, which is to worship and be devoted to Allah alone. Allah is not against a person being rich or well-off, but when that wealth becomes an excuse for arrogance, that is where the wrath of Allah is directed.