Know our enemy well
It is practical and common sense that we should ‘know our enemy well’ so that we can develop defences against the enemy’s attacks and plan a strategy to defeat the enemy. The better we know our enemy, the better our chances of survival or winning the battle.
With the name of Allah, most Beneficial, always Merciful
For humanity, both collectively and individually there is a formidable enemy that is wreaking havoc amongst us while most of us are blissfully unaware of the enemy because we are just too engrossed with the trivialities and vanities of life.
Look at what is happening around us, or switch on the TV and we would see the stark reality of our world. We might be, to a certain degree, in peace in our country today, but who knows what’s in store for us tomorrow and in the hereafter.
You must be thinking that the enemy is George Bush and America and I would not blame you because many Muslim leaders have actually said this. Most Merciful is Allah in that He educates us about our enemy and even shows us the way to success.
“Verily Satan (shaitaan) is an enemy to you: so treat him as an enemy…” Al Quraan 35:6
Who is shaitaan? – Why is he our enemy? -Where does he live? – How does he attack us? What is his weakness and what is his strength? – these are all questions we need answered so that we could defend ourselves.
Who is Shaitaan? Many of our children, even after graduating from madressa, might say that he is the black “boogie man” of the night. This is so far from the truth.
Shaitaan is from the species called jinn. Unlike man, who was made from mud, or angels from light, he was created from fire. He was created after the angels but before the creation of man.
Just like the angels, jinns do not have form and therefore cannot be seen by us, but they can at times assume the form of other beings. Angels and jinn do not live on some other planet but live amongst us or within us.
Aisha (RA) reported that one day the Apostle of Allah (SAW) came out of her apartment during the night and she felt jealous (because he was going to another wife). Then he returned and saw her in this agitated state. He said: “Aisha, what has happened to you? Do you feel jealous?” Thereupon she said: “How can it be that I should not feel jealous about a husband like you?” Thereupon Allah’s messenger (SAW) said “It was
your devil that came to you,” and she asked: Allah’s Messenger is there a devil with me.” He replied “Yes.” I said “Is devil attached to everyone? He said yes. I again said Allah’s messenger is it with you too. He said yes but my Lord has helped me against him and as such I am absolutely safe from his mischief. Sahih Muslim Hadis 6795.
There are also Quranic verses that show that shaitaan is very close to us, or within us all, eg.
“….mutually share with them wealth and children: and make promises to them.” But Satan promises them nothing but deceit. Al Quraan 17:63.
Basically, our worldly desires and lusts stem from ‘waswasa’, the whispering of shaitaan and if we keep our desires in check we would be keeping him in check – if we overcome our desires, we overcome him – if we give in to our desires we give in to him and he becomes stronger within us, finally overpowering us.
Why is he our enemy? There was a time when Satan, or Iblis as he was known then, was good and he listened to Allah SWT. At that stage he was perhaps the best of creation for he was highly educated, obedient and pious.
When Allah SWT fashioned Adam (AS) and conferred His “Kilafath” or Trust upon him and made him His best of creation then Satan became jealous and began to rebel. (Al Quraan 38:74). He wanted to be the priced creation and he was prepared to fight relentlessly for this.
Allah banished him and Satan vowed to mislead man. AL Quraan 15:39. Of course, Hazrath Adam (AS) is the father of us all and similarly Satan had offspring and the enmity that shaitaan bore against Adam (AS) also exists in his offspring. “Satan and his progeny…” 18:50
So what is shaitaan’s mission? Simply put he is there to misguide us and cause our fall from Allah’s Grace.
A sure way of loosing a battle is to underestimate the opponent. Shaitaan is extremely powerful and knowledgeable for he was able to mislead Hazrath Adam (AS).
No matter how pious we are, no matter how much knowledge we have, no matter what stage we reach in spirituality, we must never think that we are perfect. This is a common mistake many people make. As soon as we develop pride, we will lose and he will win.
The sure way to protect ourselves from shaitaan is not to depend upon ourselves. We must develop humility and seek help and guidance from Allah SWT.
Praying for guidance (Surah Al Fatiha) is most important, and if we do it sincerely from the bottom of our heart, then Allah SWT, the most Merciful, will certainly guide us.
Not only can Allah SWT protect us but He can guide us to ways in which we could overcome the shaitaan within us all.
And, O yes, there is the question of what is to be won – It is the treasure of all treasures – in learning to master our desires we attain Emaan (knowing Allah) so as to become the enlightened being that Allah SWT created us to be. Isn’t that something truly worth fighting over?
Ironically, shaitaan becomes the stepping stone to our spiritual growth. It is because of us having to strive against him that we asend to greater heights. END
Peace and blessings be upon the Beloved of Allah, Muhammed Salallahu Alayhe wasallam. Ameen.
Published by Anjuman e Waris e Mohammedi.
Anjuman e Waris e Mohammedi was founded by Dr/Hakim Hazrath Khwaja Sayed Shareef Ahmed Ali Shah (RA), lovingly known as Hazrath Poona Wale Shah Saab RA.
Author: Mohammed Hassan Gaffoor (WhatsApp +27849101486)