I seek protection in Allah from shaitaan, the rejected one.
When we do not control our carnal desires then these desires control us and in essence this is allowing ourselves to be ruled by shaitaan. Our common sense, logic and reasoning will all go out the window and we will sometimes end up doing ridiculous things to harm others which actually ends up harming us the most in the long run. Much like the familiar phrase ‘Cut off one’s nose to spite their face!’
“That petty vizier had his origin from envy, so that for vanity he gave to the wind (sacrificed) his ears and nose….. . The nose is that which catches a scent, the scent which leads towards an abode (of spiritual truth)” Mathnawi book 1 verse 437
Look around and you will see for yourself that what I am saying is so true. On an international level, Europe sanctioned Russia which amounted to them shooting themselves in the foot because this has harmed their economy. These misguided leaders are so hell bent on revenge that they will never admit that they have messed up but instead they continue to implement more and more sanctions and they persist in their aggressive actions to the point where they are even risking a nuclear war by crossing Russia’s red lines.
“Let us implore God to help us to self-control: one who lacks self-control is deprived of the Grace of the Lord. The undisciplined man does not maltreat himself alone, but he sets the whole world on fire. A table (of food) was coming down from heaven without headache (trouble) and without selling and buying, (when) some of the people of Moses cried disrespectfully, “where is the garlic and lentils?” Straightaway the heavenly bread and dishes (of food) were cut off: there remained (for all of them) the toil of sowing and (labouring with) mattock and scythe.” Matnawi vol 2 verse 39.
Consider how some women use their children to get revenge on their ex-husbands even though it harms their children. The children end up emotionally damaged and this comes back to bite them in the long run. These women are consumed with hatred and seeking revenge, leaving no room for peace and happiness.
No matter how or what you say to such people, they will not be able to see reality. No matter the outcome, they will continue their relentless attack.
This type of behaviour is no surprise because this is how the devil is and this is how he influences us to behave. When Allah SWT asked him why he did not prostrate to Adam AS he said: ‘I am better than him’ and even justified this statement by saying that ‘I am made of fire whilst he is made of clay’. Just like this, our egos, will try to justify our wrong actions too. Anyway, Allah SWT reprimanded him and the devil then went on to blame Allah SWT for putting him in the wrong. Imagine that!
The devil goes on to swear that he will mislead Adam AS and his progeny. Adam AS did not do anything to him and it makes no sense that he should harm him, but the devil is beyond reason by this point, really twisted and envious. Allah SWT promises him hell but even this still does not deter him. This story can be found in Al Quraan 7:11
This is exactly how people behave when they become the Devil’s stooge. Unreasonable! So, the big question is… How do we avoid being the Devil’s stooge and causing self-harm. We have to understand that it all stems from us wanting to be ‘THE’ person. This is what the devil wanted, to be at the top and this is what our carnal desires crave. We want to be that person with the special house or the fastest car or the person with all the bright ideas, or the most beautiful or the best dressed, or the best post and worst of all, many seek recognition for their piety.
It’s really immature, much like a child showing off his toy. If we can become masters of our carnal desires, at the very least, we would become mature, well adjusted individuals capable of cultivating good relationships and perhaps, even growing relationships of true love which is a part of attaining faith.
Controlling our carnal desires is no easy task though. It boils down to fighting the devil. One on one; we stand no chance but with the help of Allah through His chosen ones’ it can be attained, Insha-Allah.
Allah SWT is all powerful! So very simply, always seek Allah’s help and guidance via Surah Al Fatiha. This must be our main goal in life, this is what me must focus on. We also need to remember that on this path of making Allah our goal we must never, at any time, think that we are pious. We are going to face this hurdle and we have to adopt humility. (humility and modesty are also a part of faith)
Just as Allah SWT has always communicated to humanity via His chosen ones, so too, would He help us via His chosen ones. We must listen to them and grow to love them. Love is the super power that would give us the determination to succeed.
It is through interacting with the Holy Prophet Muhammad Alayhis Salaam that his companions became such beacons of light that have guided so many. So the Guide is all important because he is the teacher of spirituality.
The Holy Prophet Muhammad Salal lahu Alayhe wa salam has said that fighting with our carnal desires is the more important ‘jihad’ (holy war). One more thing – we talked about how unjustified attacks comes back to bite the person that attacks.
So how does shaitaan’s actions comes back to bite him. It is through him that humanity gets the opportunity of becoming better people because it is through him we have to learn self control and this makes us better.
He is the footstool and Allah’s chosen ones attain great height through him. If we can understand his obsession with harming us then we would appreciate just how much it pains him when we make it.
“Whereas Allah desires to turn to you with mercy, those who follow (the dictates of their) lusts want you to drift far away (from the right path).” Al Quraan 4:27
NOTE 1:
Click link below to watch another lovely video on this topic.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVdiRaOkomV/
Listen to a beautiful naath on this theme: The Light Of Muhammad (PBUH)
NOTE 3: Read our novel, also based on this theme – Doolhun The Bride.