“And say : My Lord! I seek refuge with You
from the whisperings (suggestions) of the Shayateen.
And I seek refuge with You, my Lord, lest they
may attend (or come near) me.”
( Surah Al-Mu`minoon 23 : 97/98 )
Allah Ta’ala created the earth as the battlefield between Adam (‘Alaihis Salaam), his children and Shaytaan and his progeny. Living in times wherein the evil elements and influences of Shaytaan are overwhelming , due to our ignorance and also our weakness we fall prey to the various ploys and conspiracies of Shaytaan. While the fussaaq (evildoers) and fujjaar (the immoral and shameless) are always attended to and accompanied by theShayateen, the pious also become the targets of Shaytaan.While it may appear difficult to contend with a foe that cannot be seen, we have been informed by Allah Ta’ala and Raslulullah(saw) as to how to recognize the enemy and how to overcome him.
What should be understood is that Allah Ta’ala has givenShaytaan the power of whispering into the heart and mind of a person. The whisperings and evil effects of these Shayateen are such, that numerous people have fallen prey to them. what else would one expect in homes wherein so many are watching filthy videos, television programmes or listening to pop and other music. Bad elements draw bad elements. So it is important not to subscribe to what Shaytaan is whispering into our hearts.
One person says that he keeps getting this thought that the Qur`aan Sharief (Na uzu Billahi min zaalik), is an out dated book. It cannot solve our worldly problems, in these modern times. This is not one of those modernists who is asking for a reformation of the Qur`aan Sharief. This is a pious, young person. Another person is troubled by the thought that the beliefs of Jannat (paradise), Jahannum (Hell), Aakhirah (hereafter), etc. are merely fairy tales…that there is no truth in this; whereas his deep hearted belief is that there is a hereafter, a day of judgement. These are not those people who subscribe to or uphold these beliefs. On the contrary, they are extremely uncomfortable with these thoughts. In fact, they want a solution desperately. They want to know how to overcome these thoughts and get rid of them. This very feeling of discomfort and unhappiness is the sign of Imaan. There is therefore no need for so much of worry and concern.
Allah Ta’ala says in the Qur`aan Sharief :
“His power is only over those who obey and follow him (Shaytaan)…”
(Surah An-Nahl 16 : 100)
Shaytaan, however, whispers into the hearts of the good just as he does to those who are indulging in evil. In a Tafseer of Surah Naas, it is mentioned that those who are making an effort towards piety, righteousness and gaining the closeness of Allah Ta’ala and Rasulullah (saw) should also seek protection in Allah Ta’ala from the whisperings of Shaytaan. Shaytaan makes a greater effort to mislead the pious through pride, arrogance and riyaa (show). Just as pride and arrogance destroyed Shaytaan, the same could result via his whisperings.
Allah Ta’ala states : “Verily, those who are the pious, when an evil thought comes to them from Shaytaan, they remember (Allah),and (indeed) they then see (aright).”
(Surah Al-A’raaf 7 : 201)
When those who are pious are affected by the evil, wicked promptings of Shaytaan, then their retrogression to negligence is very temporary. They recognize the influence of Shaytaan quickly and immediately remember Allah Ta’ala. In discerning the reality of these promptings, they are able to distinguish right from wrong.
There is a Hadith which is quoted in Mishkaat Sharief : Nabi (saw)said that if a person is disturbed with the ‘wasaawis’ (whisperings)of Shaytaan then he should read : “Aamantu billahi wa rusulih” –I believe in Allah and His messengers.When the person recites this, Allah Ta’ala will protect him. This is also applicable to those evil thoughts which come into the mind and encourage a person to do something that is Haraam (the nafs too is in the forefront of this encouragement to evil).
When a person discards obedience to Allah Ta’ala and is arrogant and scornful towards the commands of Allah Ta’ala, allowing his evil nafs to lead him astray then he buys humiliation and disgrace. It should be understood that a person is led astray when he himself, chooses to go astray. Allah Ta’ala’s Sifat (attribute) of“Mudhil” (the One who Misguides) is then focussed on him. For the person who wants Hidayat (Guidance), Allah Ta’ala guides him. When a person makes a concerted effort for the same,then he will experience as to how Allah Ta’ala manifests His‘Sifat’ of ‘Haadi’ – the One who Guides. We therefore need to seek protection in Allah Ta’ala. It will be a means of being recipient to our greatest need : Hidayat. Allah Ta’ala will then inspire us on the Siratul Mustaqeem (the Straight Path).
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