Giving Up Sins: An Easy Prescription

by Hadhrat Maulana Yunus Patel (Damat Barakaatuhum)

There are many, many Muslim brothers and sisters throughout the world who due to various negative influences and bad elements, find themselves ‘de-railed’ from Deen. Many others sit on the fence, wanting to enjoy or benefit from both sides of the fence – engaging in sins as well as being practical on certain teachings of Deen. However, deep in their hearts is the desire to get back on track, and once again become good, practical Muslims; to jump off the fence and enjoy the green pastures of Islam. So they write, e-mail, phone, fax seeking guidance and direction.

• The main weakness is indulgence in sins; sometimes many sins and excessive indulgence in those sins. A standard prescription that I give as a reply, is as follows. Alhamdulillah, many who followed through with the prescription have found a whole new life – of peace, happiness, blessings and mercy. On tasting the sweetness that comes with obedience, there is no desire to return to any form of disobedience.
• 
  The ideal is that we abstain from sins, out of love for Allah Ta’ala. He has granted us so much – He has granted us everything and it is the nature of human beings that we love the person that is kind and generous to us. Then what of Allah Ta’ala who has provided us with plentiful – with everything? The sight, hearing, speech, the organs that are functioning in such an amazing manner, the limbs - all in our service – for eating, drinking, walking, sitting, etc. The gifts of wealth : the clothing, shelter, transport, food, drink, and so many other comforts. …We use them all, but do we keep in mind, the Generous Benefactor ? Do we give thanks for these bounties or show any appreciation to the Giver ?
• 
  Developing the conscious awareness that Allah Ta’ala is with us : He is watching us, He is hearing us, He knows all and everything about us; We cannot hide from Him; We cannot conceal our actions from Him. Then should we not feel ashamed that in His Presence, we are disobeying Him? Are we not showing ingratitude to the Benefactor, when engaging in sins in His very Presence ?
• 
  Keep in mind that the angels too are witness to all our actions; that the earth is recording our behaviour and that all of it is also noted in our books of deeds – that we are accountable to Allah Ta’ala on the Day of Judgement. Added to this, our actions are also presented to Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), so we should give thought to whether our actions are a source of joy or grief to him. …In this manner, we will develop that shame and modesty which will make it easy to restrain from Haraam.
• 
  Muraqabah is meditating on the actions engaged in during the day : We should reflect over our deeds for the day and seek forgiveness for shortcomings and resolve not to return to those bad deeds. We should also express gratitude on good deeds and make dua for an increase in them.
  Ponder over the fact that the Angel of Death does not give respite. It must not be that whilst obeying the nafs in sinful pleasure, the Angel of death visits; and departure is in disgrace, and return to Allah Ta’ala is at a time when He is angry, and that death is an embarrassment to the person, family and community who find out that death came in sin. May Allah Ta’ala protect us all from death in a state of transgression, but this is very much a reality.…
  
  Death visits – more often, very unexpectedly, and no true Muslim would want to be seized by the Angel of death when Allah Ta’ala is displeased. I often say : We now have instant tea, and instant coffee, and instant cereal and instant pudding and so many other things on the market are instant – we are also living in times when death is just as instant. So any sin is too much of a risk in the face of the reality of death. …The Hadith is explicit : That we will be resurrected on the day of Judgement as we have died and we will die as we have lived. …Would any Muslim want to rise up on the Day of Judgement in sin, for all of mankind to witness what kind of life he led?

• Ponder over the fact that Allah Ta’ala has blessed us with the gift of sight, hearing, health, wealth, and so much else – and has also granted us the gift of respect. However, what He gives, He can also take away. He has explicitly stated that ingratitude for His Gifts will draw very severe punishment. So is sin not abuse and ingratitude for the gifts of sight, of heart, of mind, of limbs ?

• A little contemplation on the consequences of such behaviour and a little bit of mujahada – which entails ‘not doing’ and Alhamdulillah, the sicknesses are cured.
  
  Together with this :
  
  Attend the talks of the learned Scholars of Islam whenever possible, or listen to recordings of their talks and read their books to gain benefit of pious, righteous company. Join and participate in the Deeni activities with those who follow the Qur`aan and Sunnah. On will, Insha-Allah, find a great improvement in one’s condition by keeping the right company.
  Make the effort to read Salaah punctually. Men should make every effort to read their Salaah in Jamaat.

• Read good, Islamic literature. Abstain from magazines or books that have filthy and indecent contents and pictures.
  

• Give up television viewing. …90% of the content is Haraam. If a person offers a full glass of clean and pure water, and mentions that there is just one drop of urine, would any sensible person, drink it ?
  
  …Then when the major content of television is Haraam, what would we then say ? When the gaze, heart and mind are consuming and digesting so much of Haraam viewing, what else would be the end result except indulgence in the same Haraam.

• Lower the gaze from the opposite sex.

• Dress as a Muslim should – Wearing the pants above the ankle and keeping the beard, one fist in length must not be considered as insignificant actions. These are teachings of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) which he has emphasized. Although it is permissible to wear the shirt and pants, the dressing of the righteous (i.e. the kurta) has a speciality which benefits in different ways. A person with this appearance will think a hundred times before engaging in an open sin, when he is being recognized as someone who must be very pious. So this attire and appearance will offer a protection, Insha-Allah. Women too should dress modestly as is prescribed by Shariah.
  

By doing these few things, you have won more than half the battle. And it is not as difficult as Shaytaan and nafs will whisper. A little courage, a little effort and a little sacrifice are all that is required.

Of course, these are just basic aspects of Deen, which everyone can implement immediately and easily. There is a need to fulfill the Obligatory Injunctions such as Salaah, Zakaat, Fasting in the month of Ramadaan, etc. and to fulfill the rights of family, neighbours and others. There is a need to read the Qur`aan Sharief regularly, together with some authentic commentary – a little at a time, as well as giving time to studying some book on Islamic Jurisprudence and reading the life and teachings of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) , etc. A reading of the books of virtues of actions such as Salaah, Fasting, Haj, Sadaqaat, Zikr, etc. by Shaykh Zakariyyah Saheb (Rahmatullah ‘alayh) will create enthusiasm in the heart for action.

May Allah Ta’ala grant us His Love and the Love of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) , such that it becomes easy to give up all sins and submit to His Obedience. May He protect us all from the mischief of nafs and Shaytaan. May He fill our hearts with Love for this beautiful Deen and inspire us in being a practical and good Muslims and be true role-models to our community.

Hadhrat Maulana Yunus Patel (DB)

Your Guide To A Successful Ramadhan

Your Guide to the Month of Mercy

Virtues of Ramadhan

‘The doors of Jannah are opened on the first night of Ramadhan. Not a single door is closed until the last night of Ramadhan.’ (Bayhaqi)

‘When Ramadhan comes, the gates of Jannah are thrown open, the doors of Jahanam are closed and the Shayateen are imprisoned.’ (Bukhari)

‘The fishes in the sea seek forgiveness for those fasting until they break their fast. Allah decorates His Jannah every day and then says, “The time is near when My pious Servants shall cast aside the great trials and come to me.”’ (Ahmad)

‘During each day and night of Ramadhan, Allah sets free a great number of souls from Hell. And for every Muslim, during each day and night, at least one du’aa is certainly accepted.’ (Bazzaaz)

Virtues of Suhoor (sehri)

‘Verily, Allah and His Angels send mercy upon those who eat suhoor.’ (Tabraani)

‘Eat suhoor because in suhoor lies blessings.’ (Mishkaat)

Iftar‘Not a single prayer made by a fasting person at the time of breaking fast is rejected’ (Ibn Majah) (please remember this writer in your humble dua’as at this blessed time)

Nights of Ramadhan

‘Whoever stands in prayer and worship (in the nights of) Ramadhan, with Imaan and with sincere hope of gaining reward, all his previous sins are forgiven.’ (Bukhari and Muslim)

‘For every prayer offered during the nights of Ramadhan (tarawih, tahajjud etc), Allah the Almighty records one and a half thousand good deeds for every sajdah (prostration).’ (Bayhaqi)

‘Allah the Almighty has ordained fasting in Ramadhan compulsory, and I have decreed (by the Command of Allah) wakefulness at night (tarawih etc) sunnah. Whoever in the state of Iman with hope of gaining reward, fasts in Ramadhan and stays awake at night (tarawih), emerges from sin, purified as the day when his mother gave birth to him.’ (Nasa’ee)

Layatul Qadr (Night of Power)

‘Whoever stands in prayer and worship in the night of power with Imaan and with sincere hope of gaining reward, all his previous sins are forgiven.’ (Muslim)

‘Look for Laylatul Qadr among the numbered nights of the last ten days of Ramadhan.’ (Mishkaat)

Last Night of Ramadhan

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, ‘On the last night of Ramadhan the fasting Muslims are forgiven.’ The Sahaabah (may Allah be pleased with them) enquired, ‘O Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) is that the night of power?” The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied, ‘No! But it is only right that servant should be give his reward on having completed his duty.’ (Ahmad)

Rules Regarding Fasting

Sunnah’s in the Month of Ramadhan

1. To observe Tarawih.
2. To increase the recitation of the Holy Qur’an.
3. To observe i’atikaf during the last ten days of Ramadhan.

Mustahab (desirable) Acts

1. To eat sehri.
2. To delay the sehri up to a little before subha sadiq (early dawn).
3. To break the fast immediately after sunset.
4. To break the fast with dates. If dates are not available then with water.
5. To recite this dua’aa at the time of breaking fast:

Things that do not break the fast

1. To eat, drink or indulge in cohabitation in forgetfulness.
2. To vomit without intention.
3. To vomit intentionally less that mouthful.
4. To have a wet dream.
5. To oil the hair.
6. To use surma in the eyes.
7. To drop water or medicine in the eyes.
8. To clean the teeth with wet or dry miswak.
9. To apply or smell perfume.
10. To swallow a fly, mosquito, smoke or dust unintentionally.
11. To swallow one’s slaiva or phlegm.
12. Water entering the ears.
13. To take an injection.

Makrooh (detestable) While Fasting

1. To chew items such as rubber, plastic etc.
2. To taste food or drink and spit it out.
3. To collect one’s saliva in the mouth and then swallow it.
4. To clean the teeth or mouth with tooth powder or toothpaste.
5. To complain of hunger or thirst.
6. To quarrel, fight aruge with filthy words.

Things That Break the Fast

1. To eat, drink or indulge in cohabitation intentionally.
2. To burn incense (agarbatti) and inhale its smoke.
3. If water goes down the mouth while gargling.
4. To vomit a mouthful intentionally.
5. To swallow vomit intentionally.
6. To swallow something edible, equal to or bigger than a grain or gram, which was stuck between the teeth.

A Timetable

1. We must wake up for suhoor as is a Sunnah or our Prophet . We should arrange our time for suhoor in such a way that we are also able to perform at least 4 to 8 rak’aat of tahajjud, with dua’aa for about 15 min or more more. The Prophet has said that the dua’aa in the darkness of the night (after tahajjud) is readily accepted by Allah. (Tirmidhi)

2. After tahajjud and suhoor, we must pray our Fajr Prayer with congregation. Ladies should also perform with their obligatory prayer.

3. Every morning after Fajr, remain engaged in ‘ibadaah till 15-20 mins after sunrise and peform 4 rak’aat of ishraaq. This is highly rewarding, in a hadith we are told that whomsoever remains in the remembrance of Allah after Fajr and then performs 2 or 4 rak’aat ishraaq will receive the reward of Hajj and Umrah.

4. Go about our business and stay away from the opposite sex. Fasting is not just of the stomach, it is of the eyes, ears, mouth, hands, legs etc also.

5. Send Durood Shareef (salutations) to the Prophet in abundance whilst in class or at times
when you have nothing to do.

6. Perform Zuhr in congregation.

7. Once college finishes go home straight away and engage in worship unless you are having Islamic talks, Gatherings etc.

8. Perform Asr and Maghrib in congregation. The time between these two prayers are very important, especially for dua’aa. Try to stay in the masjid from Asr to Magrib. (sisters, please do not spend too much time making samosas.)

9. After Maghrib, go home and eat with the family. Sit together and enjoy the company of each other. This way Ramadhan will pass joyfully with an abundance of prosperity in the home.

10. Thereafter return to the Masjid for Isha and tarawih. Do not waste your time in futile talk and don’t lie to your parents with the excuse of tarawih and then go to play pool instead. Sisters must also pray Tarawih at home as it is Sunnat e mu’akkadah.

11. After Tarawih engage in worship or go straight home. Then sleep with the intention of waking up for Fajr and Tahajjud, even this attracts mercy.

Note: Try your upmost best to finish the recital of the entire Qur’an in this month. Increase your worship in the final ten days.

Please remember us in all your du’aas.
http://www.jamaluliman.blogspot.com/

The Destruction of Nations Part 3 - Thamud

THAMUD PART 1

The destruction of ‘Aad is something we ourselves cannot comprehend but we see in a hadith related by ‘Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) the distress it would cause the Messenger of Allah (may peace and blessings be upon him). She mentions that whenever the sky was covered (with clouds), his face would change, he would come in and out (of the house) and he would pace up and down. Being the caring and loving wife she was, ‘Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) asked him as to why he does this to which the Messenger of Allah (may peace and blessings be upon him) would reply and say,

“It could be what ‘Aad have faced: “So, when they saw it as a cloud proceeding towards their valleys, they said, ‘This is a cloud that will bring us rain!’” (Surah Ahqaf)

And so the people of ‘Aad were destroyed and Allah replaced them with another tribe upon whom He bestowed countless bounties but they to forgot their transgressed. They were the tribe of Thamud and there are two opinions as to why they were labelled with this name. The first opinion is because of the vicinity in which they lived in. In Arabic, the word ‘Thamad’ means a lack of water and the area which was inhabited by the people of Saleh (peace be upon him) had a deficiency in water. The opinion of Ibn Katheer is that the nation were named after their forefather whose name was Thamud.

Like the people of ‘Aad forgot about the punishment suffered by the people of Nuh (peace be upon him), Thamud too forgot about their predecessors (‘Aad) and they too followed in the footsteps of their accursed ancestors. The people of Thamud were similar to the people of ‘Aad in their strength, abilities and arrogance. Allah the Almighty had given them bounty upon bounty and like ‘Aad, Thamud became poisoned by the beauty of this world. They began to feel as if they would never die and they started with the words that brought destruction upon ‘Aad. They would say,

“Who is stronger than us?”

And so they began to make huge palaces (pictured) upon the earth and in the mountains. Their disobedience had no bounds and they would happily work contrary towards the way of Allah. Thus they forgot about Allah and Allah caused them to forget about themselves. They began to oppress themselves in ways their eyes did not perceive and such is the statement of Allah in the Qur’an:

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَظۡلِمُ ٱلنَّاسَ شَيۡـًٔ۬ا وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱلنَّاسَ أَنفُسَہُمۡ يَظۡلِمُونَ ٤٤

"Surely, Allah does not wrong people at all, but the people do wrong their own selves."

It was then that Allah decided to send a mercy to them, a messenger from amongst themselves to guide them towards the truth. Verily, Allah is not pleased by those who spread trouble upon the earth. From amongst the community, He erected a prophet by the name of Saleh (peace be upon him). Saleh (peace be upon him) was a man of a noble lineage, piety, intelligence and when he grew up, Allah blessed him with the wisdom that was needed for Saleh (peace be upon him) to carry out his mission. Prior to becoming a prophet, Saleh (peace be upon him) was a very popular figure in society. He was considered by many as being a luminary, a man who was more articulate and upright in his conduct than any other man from amongst them. When he would walk past people, they would whisper,

“That is Saleh! That is Saleh!”

His people and in particular his father had high aspirations of him and they all dreamt that he would grow up to own palaces with large, beautiful gardens. They envisaged him having servants running back and forth for him but Saleh (peace be upon him) had no interest in the materialistic society he was living in. On the contrary, he was selected to convey the message of His Lord, a status far loftier than anything anybody else could have perceived. He (Saleh (peace be upon him)) then stood up in the midst of his people and said the words which brought all of the Prophets (peace be upon them all) so much anguish, he said,

يَـٰقَوۡمِ ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنۡ إِلَـٰهٍ غَيۡرُهُ ۥ‌ۖ هُوَ أَنشَأَكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَٱسۡتَعۡمَرَكُمۡ فِيہَا فَٱسۡتَغۡفِرُوهُ ثُمَّ تُوبُوٓاْ إِلَيۡهِ‌ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّى قَرِيبٌ۬ مُّجِيبٌ۬ ٦١

"And to (the people of) Thamud (We sent) their brother, Saleh. He said, 'O my people, worship Allah. You have no god other than Him. He has created you from earth and made you settle therein. So, seek His forgiveness, then turn to Him in repentance. Surely, my Lord is near, responsive to the prayers.'"

And they replied to him,

يَـٰصَـٰلِحُ قَدۡ كُنتَ فِينَا مَرۡجُوًّ۬ا قَبۡلَ هَـٰذَآ‌ۖ أَتَنۡهَٮٰنَآ أَن نَّعۡبُدَ مَا يَعۡبُدُ ءَابَآؤُنَا وَإِنَّنَا لَفِى شَكٍّ۬ مِّمَّا تَدۡعُونَآ إِلَيۡهِ مُرِيبٍ۬ ٦٢

“O Saleh, we had hopes in you before this. Do you ask us not to worship what our fathers used to worship? We have serious doubts that have disturbed us about the faith to which you are calling us.”

After this encounter, the people Saleh (peace be upon him) would socialise with became hugely disrespectful to him. The rich who were in power knew for sure that if Saleh (peace be upon him) would prevail with his mission then they would no longer remain in power and so they launched a scathing attack on Saleh (peace be upon him). They began to defame him amongst his own people and removed their high aspirations of him. This is recorded in the Qur’an, they said,

وَقَالَ ٱلۡمَلَأُ مِن قَوۡمِهِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ وَكَذَّبُواْ بِلِقَآءِ ٱلۡأَخِرَةِ وَأَتۡرَفۡنَـٰهُمۡ فِى ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا مَا هَـٰذَآ إِلَّا بَشَرٌ۬ مِّثۡلُكُمۡ يَأۡكُلُ مِمَّا تَأۡكُلُونَ مِنۡهُ وَيَشۡرَبُ مِمَّا تَشۡرَبُونَ (٣٣) وَلَٮِٕنۡ أَطَعۡتُم بَشَرً۬ا مِّثۡلَكُمۡ إِنَّكُمۡ إِذً۬ا لَّخَـٰسِرُونَ (٣٤) أَيَعِدُكُمۡ أَنَّكُمۡ إِذَا مِتُّمۡ وَكُنتُمۡ تُرَابً۬ا وَعِظَـٰمًا أَنَّكُم مُّخۡرَجُونَ (٣٥) ۞ هَيۡہَاتَ هَيۡہَاتَ لِمَا تُوعَدُونَ (٣٦) إِنۡ هِىَ إِلَّا حَيَاتُنَا ٱلدُّنۡيَا نَمُوتُ وَنَحۡيَا وَمَا نَحۡنُ بِمَبۡعُوثِينَ (٣٧) إِنۡ هُوَ إِلَّا رَجُلٌ ٱفۡتَرَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ڪَذِبً۬ا وَمَا نَحۡنُ لَهُ ۥ بِمُؤۡمِنِينَ ٣٨

“Then said the chiefs of his nation who were disbelievers and who denied facing the Hereafter and whom We made affluent in the worldly life, ‘This (man) is nothing but a human being. He eats from what you eat from, and drinks from what you drink. If you obey a human like yourselves, then you will be absolute losers. Does he promise you that, when you die and are turned into dust and bones, you are to be brought forth? Far too improbable is what you are being promised. There is nothing but our worldly life. We die and we live, and we are not to be raised again. He is nothing but a man who has forged a lie against Allah, and we are not going to believe in him.’”

They had really abused Saleh (peace be upon him). They attached many vulgar lies against Saleh (peace be upon him) and they would taunt his family and his father in particular. They targeted his father because they knew of the high hopes he kept with regards to the future of Saleh (peace be upon him) and then they would tell the father that his previously successful son had become of the fruitless. This would truly hurt the feelings of Saleh’s (peace be upon him) mother, father and family. Despite these hardships, Saleh (peace be upon him) would continue to proclaim Monotheism out aloud but the people would look at him and merely say,

إِنَّمَآ أَنتَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُسَحَّرِينَ (١٥٣) مَآ أَنتَ إِلَّا بَشَرٌ۬ مِّثۡلُنَا فَأۡتِ بِـَٔايَةٍ إِن كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَ ١٥٤

“You are merely one of those bewitched. You are nothing but a human like us. So, bring a sign if you are one of the truthful.”

The Mufassireen mention that during this assembly Saleh (peace be upon him) admonished his people and warned them of a painful torment. They said to him,

“If you could produce from this rock a she-camel with these qualities (they then mentioned what it should be like.”

Hazrat Saleh (peace be upon him) enquired,

“Tell me, if I responded to your requirement would you believe in what I am asking you to believe and regard me as the Messenger of Allah?”

The people of Thamud replied in the affirmative and so Hazrat Saleh (peace be upon him) offered prayers and then asked Allah to respond to their demand. Thereafter a she-camel came out of the mountain and the people became bewildered and dumbstruck. However, despite the various emotions felt, one emotion that was prevalent that day was arrogance. Even though they witnessed a sign from Allah with their own eyes, they still rejected it and did not believe and Saleh (peace be upon him) would say,

يَـٰقَوۡمِ ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ مَا لَڪُم مِّنۡ إِلَـٰهٍ غَيۡرُهُ ۥ‌ۖ قَدۡ جَآءَتۡڪُم بَيِّنَةٌ۬ مِّن رَّبِّكُمۡ‌ۖ هَـٰذِهِۦ نَاقَةُ ٱللَّهِ لَڪُمۡ ءَايَةً۬‌ۖ فَذَرُوهَا تَأۡڪُلۡ فِىٓ أَرۡضِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۖ وَلَا تَمَسُّوهَا بِسُوٓءٍ۬ فَيَأۡخُذَكُمۡ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ۬ ٧٣

“O my people, worship Allah. You have no god other than Him. There has come to you a clear sign from your Lord. This is the she-camel of Allah, a sign for you. So, leave her to eat on the earth of Allah, and do not touch her with mischief, lest a painful punishment should seize you.”

The threat was put forth by Hazrat Saleh (peace be upon him). Nobody was to harm this she-camel and if they did, there punishment of Allah would be let loose upon them. The people understood this until the emergence of Qudar bin Salif...

In the next post we shall discuss how Qudar bin Salif attempted to slaughter the sign of Allah because of his love for a woman... Next Thamud Part 2

Poetry: From Darkness to Light

Darkness & Light are the only true colours in this life,

One day we live in glimmering joy & other days in lonely strife.

Only the Creator can bring one 'From Darkness towards the Light',

And only His guidance lets one soar to new heights.

The Darkness of this world lies in our progressive sins,

Nothing but the Light of the heavens can help the confused Mankind and Jinn.

And thus your life will be written for you in black & white...

And successful will be those who were brought ...

'From Darkness to Light'

مِّنَ الظُّلُمَاتِ إِلَى النُّوُرِ

Allah is the Protector of those who have faith: from the depths of darkness He will lead them forth into light. Of those who reject faith the patrons are the evil ones: from light they will lead them forth into the depths of darkness. They will be companions of the fire, to dwell therein (Forever). [Surah Baqarah 2:257]

Hardship In Taqwa, Not In Worship

In worship is lazzat (enjoyment), not hardship. We feel hardship in worship because we are sick, and just as a sick person will not be able to experience enjoyment in biryani due to his illness, in the same way, because of our spiritual sicknesses we do not experience enjoyment in our worship.

Hardship is in refraining from sin i.e. adopting taqwa, and this is what leads us to becoming friends of Allah. We are not told to “bring imaan” and worship Allah in this way or that way, we are told to “bring imaan and adopt Taqwa”. Of course after adopting Taqwa, if we increase our worship then closeness and friendship with Allah will only increase.

Taken from Shaykh.org

Indeed the strongest of people are those who can go against their desires even in the hardest of situations.

A person may be in the market place where he sees a beautiful young woman and his eyes are on her, the words of shaytaan are telling him to keep looking at the woman, knowing that if he keeps on looking eventually his eyes will meet hers. The wild desires within are being soothed by what his eyes are seeing. But a faint whisper in the background can still be heard amongst all this commotion... "Lower your gaze and indeed you will taste the sweetness of imaan" are slowly echoing within.

This is where the real strength is needed. Where the real power is needed to bring control to your mind and soul. Where the person is forced to decide between the pleasure of his Lord or the pleasure of his nafs/desires. Time and time again situations like these arise but time and time again which option do we choose?

The man knows that if he keeps his gaze fixed upon the woman he may get something out of it, a smile, a hug or maybe even a number. But if he lowers his gaze he protects his eyes, his heart and he gains closer to Allah.

We see in the qoute of Hazrat Junaid Baghdadi Rahimahullah where he says that the "One who guards his heart has guarded his Deen" and indeed this is a true statement. The heart has its own sight, where it sees this world and it sees what it wants from this world. Whatever the eyes see the heart sees and what ever the eyes see that the heart likes, the heart saves an image of it.
Mankind has been created with a heart to love. At every moment in a person's life his/her heart will love one thing or another. Whether it is a BMW, GHD hair straightners or even the man at the local corner shop.

The heart is a delicate organ of the muslim body and if it isn't fed the right "food" it will end up dark and unhealthy. Unrestrained glances at the opposite sex is one of the poisons of the heart and it destroys the soul and peace of a person. Whilst in Salaah a man may have the faces of certain women popping up in his mind totally distracting his concentration and leaving him confused over what rakaat hes on.

Shaytaan Will attack mankind from the left, from the right, from infront and from behind, but Shaytaan cannot attack a person from above or below. The reason Shaytaan cannot attack a muslim from above is due to the fact that when a muslim is in need of help all he has to do is raise his hands to the sky up above and beg his Lord for forgiveness and help, and indeed he will recieve it. Shaytaan cannot attack a muslim from below, because when the eyes are lowered then what of the world will the muslim see? Nothing but the dirt of the streets, therefore preventing his heart from getting attached to the glitter and sparkle of this world.

The eyes are indeed a gift that Allah has given to us but with this gift comes great trust and responsibility...