Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

The Eleventh Talk

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ اتَّقَواْ إِذَا مَسَّهُمْ طَائِفٌ مِّنَ الشَّيْطَانِ تَذَكَّرُواْ فَإِذَا هُم مُّبْصِرُونَ

Verily those who guard (themselves against evil) when an evil thought from Satan afflicts them, they become mindful (of God and get awakened) then lo! They see (aright). (Sura al-A’raaf, 7:201)

Satan The Initiator Of Actions

The topic of discussion is Isti’adha. Isti’adha is the way of the pious. Those who are not pious have Satan dwelling within them. All their thoughts and actions are at the instance of Satan. Then what is the need for their seeking Allah (S.w.T.)’s protection against the influences of Satan.

Escape from Satan will naturally be sought by those who are men of piety and whenever Satan creeps near their hearts, they busy themselves in the Dhikr or Remembrance of Allah (S.w.T.). When Satan realizes this he escapes from them.

The men of piety are always wary that they don’t commit prohibited actions and don’t miss the legitimate and obligatory practices. Whenever any satanic entity comes near their hearts, intuition warns them and, they busy themselves in Isti’adha. When Satan notices this, he slinks away.

When the persons of piety are busy remembering Allah (S.w.T.), their vision and knowledge manifests to them the trap Satan has set for them.

My intention is to dwell in today’s talk on the word ‘mubseroon’ in the verse under reference. The men of piety are endowed ‘baseerat’ or vision by Allah (S.w.T.) to perceive the trap laid by Satan with their own eyes. When Satan realizes that his game was over, he flies away. It is very felicitous that a mu’min has the vision of the fears and doubts that Satan can create. These fears and doubts could be in the matters of faith or about morals etc.

Satan doesn’t even Spare the Prophets

Certain fears and doubts created by Satan pertain to matters of belief and in this aspect he doesn’t refrain from influencing even the hearts of the prophets.

It is narrated that Satan came to Hadrat ‘Isa (a.s.) when he was standing on the peak of a hill. Satan addressed ‘Isa (a.s.) saying, “O Spirit of Allah! If you fall from this peak, can Allah save your life!” He replied, “I can tell you with my vision and Understanding that Allah would most certainly save me.” Satan added, “If you are so certain, dive down from here that He saves you!”

Hadrat ‘Isa (a.s.) understood that Satan was up to his tricks. Therefore he said, “O accursed one! Do you intend to put Allah to test! My Faith is strong. Allah is Omnipotent and has control over every thing. You have come here with the purpose of testing whether saving me is possible or not.” Hadrat ‘Isa (a.s.) also added, “My Creator has commanded me not to do such things. Purposely falling from the top of the hill will be an attempt at suicide that is Haram. If one falls from the hill accidentally, and Allah wishes him to live on, then He will save him!”

Hadrat ‘Isa Converses With Satan

It is narrated that once Satan came to Hadrat ‘Isa (a.s.) and said, “O Spirit of Allah! You are yourself the Omnipotent and Omniscient God.” Hadrat ‘Isa (a.s.) reprimanded him for this talk and said, “I am Allah’s creation and slave on whose prayer He brings back the dead to life!”

When Hadrat ‘Isa (a.s.) tried to remove doubts of Satan in this manner, he ran away from there crying.

Satan puts such doubts and fears in the minds of the pious persons. But they understand his tricks with the light of piety that they are only satanic doubts. For example; sometimes he puts a doubt in the heart of a mu’min that a particular person, despite being young and strong, has resorted to begging. Why has he turned a beggar? Satan’s purpose of creating such doubts is to create apprehensions in the minds of believers about the will of Allah (S.w.T.). But if the person is a mu’min aware of Allah (S.w.T.)’s Greatness he will say, “Astaghfirullah! How can I dare to question the Will of Allah? My Faith is that His acts are all replete with wisdom beyond our comprehension.”

Satan Attempts to Create Fears in the Mind of Prophet Ibrahim (a.s.)

Every pious person strives to perform good deeds and Satan tries his best to dissuade him from doing so. If a person performs a good deed, Satan tries to neutralize its good effects through his tricks. For example; he will encourage the person to express pride after doing some good turn. Satan is thus the sworn enemy of all good deeds.

Here the example of one of the elite prophets of Allah (S.w.T.) will be appropriate.

You must have heard of Hadrat Ibrahim (a.s.) that when he was taking his beloved son Ismail (a.s.) to mina to sacrifice him under the Commandment of Allah (S.w.T.), Satan was flabbergasted. He knew that if Ibrahim (a.s.) was able to fulfill this task, he would get a very elevated place in the consideration of Allah (S.w.T.). He thought of stratagems to prevent Ibrahim (a.s.) from achieving this.

The first thing he did was to go to Hadrat Hajra and create doubts and fear in her mind. He told her, “I have seen an aged person guiding a handsome youth by hand. Who is he?” Hadrat Hajra said, “That is my spouse Ibrahim (a.s.).” Satan asked, “Are you aware of his intention as to why he is taking your son along with him? His intention is to cut the head of his son Ismail (a.s.)” Hadrat Hajra replied, “Ibrahim (a.s.) has not harmed even his sworn enemies. How is it possible that he will sever the head of his own son.” Satan said, “He is thinking that Allah (S.w.T.) has commanded him to do so!” The great lady immediately understood that the person talking to her was Satan and was trying to create doubts in her mind. She said, “O accursed creature! Run away! If what he is doing is under Allah’s Command then we abide by it.”

Iblīs Tests Faith

The purpose of the creation of Satan is to judge on the Day of Reckoning as to who was steadfast in keeping to the right path and who veered away from it under his evil influence. Therefore Allah (S.w.T.) says in the Holy Book:

وَمَا كَانَ لَهُ عَلَيْهِم مِّن سُلْطَانٍ إِلَّا لِنَعْلَمَ مَن يُؤْمِنُ بِالْآخِرَةِ مِمَّنْ هُوَ مِنْهَا فِي شَكٍّ

And he (satan) has no authority over them, but that We may distinguish him who believes in the hereafter from him who is in doubt concerning it. (Sura Saba, 34:21)

Although Hadrat Hajra is a woman but the strength of her faith is such intense that she agreed to sacrifice her only son in the Way of Allah (S.w.T.) without a whimper of doubt or fear.

Satan Attempts to create Doubts in the Mind of Ibrahim (a.s.)

Now Satan went to Hadrat Ibrahim (a.s.) and said, “What are you trying to do?” He replied, “I shall sacrifice my son, Ismail (a.s.) Satan said, “What crime has he committed?” Hadrat Ibrahim (a.s.) said, “This I am doing on Allah’s Command!” Satan said, “If you kill your own son for the good will of Allah, it will be a bad example for your followers to emulate in the future!” Hadrat Ibrahim (a.s.) again reiterated that what he was doing was under the command of Allah (S.w.T.).

Satan said, “Is it not possible that what you are doing is not Allah’s Command.” At this moment Hadrat Ibrahim hit Satan with a stone. This is why there is the practice of the Hajjis throwing stones at Rami Jamarat during Hajj as an emulation of Hadrat Ibrahim (a.s.)’s action.

Now the accursed Satan turned his attention towards Hadrat Ismail (a.s.) who was walking behind his revered father. He said, “Young lad! Do you know where you father is taking you?” Ismail (a.s.) said, “I don’t know!” Satan added “Your father intends to kill you.” Ismail (a.s.) asked, “How could he do such a thing?” Satan said, “He thinks that Allah has commanded him to do it!” Hadrat Ismail (a.s.) said, “If he is acting on Allah’s orders, then my life is a small sacrifice for that purpose!” But, despite this rebuff Satan persisted in trying to create doubts in the mind of the young Ismail (a.s.). Then Hadrat Ismail (a.s.) protested to his father, “O father! See who is this person who is pestering me?” Hadrat Ibrahim (a.s.) said, “This is Satan the accursed!” Then Hadrat Ismail (a.s.) too hurled stones at him.

Have We too Spurned Satan at Any Time?

Now I address the revered Hajjis in this gathering! In emulation of Hadrat Ibrahim (a.s.) you have done the rite of Rami Jamarat during the Hajj. Jamarat is not only a rite to be performed during the Hajj, but throughout our lives we have to spurn and chase away Satan.

Where are those people who throw stones at Satan whenever he tries to create fears and doubts in their minds. They confront him with boldness and exercise control over themselves in times of anger and fury. When the wish to do prohibited acts asserts itself, they shake it away with determination.

Sometimes it happens that a person wishes to do a good turn, then Satan brings forth a doubt that perhaps some other deed would be more appropriate. The person thus falls in doubt and is unable to act.

Who is Greater?

It is narrated that now the father and son determined to comply with Allah (S.w.T.)’s Command; the father to sacrifice his son; and the son too to offer himself in sacrifice to Allah (S.w.T.). The old father put the son’s head on the ground and put the sharp knife on his throat. At this moment the angels were surprised and asked each other, “Who is greater, the father or the son!” The father is great because he is willing to sacrifice his son who is the fruit of much prayer and supplication. The son is great because he is offering himself in sacrifice to Allah (S.w.T.) without a whimper of protest!

Both have come out successful in their test. But Allah (S.w.T.)’s Wish was that Ismail (a.s.) should live.

Prophet Ibrahim (a.s.)’s Laments

It is narrated that when Hadrat Ibrahim (a.s.) felt that the knife was not cutting, and that the command for the sacrifice has been rescinded by Allah (S.w.T.), he cried. Hadrat Jibril (a.s.) came to him and asked, “Why are you crying?” He said, “I think I am not fit enough that my sacrifice was not acceptable to Allah!” Jibrīl (a.s.) said, “You have successfully gone through all the stages of the sacrifice. Your heart even then cries that it has not reached its conclusion.” Then Hadrat Jibril (a.s.) told Hadrat Ibrahim (a.s.) about the hardships and the supreme sacrifice in store for Imam Husayn (a.s.)!

The Twelfth Talk

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ اتَّقَواْ إِذَا مَسَّهُمْ طَائِفٌ مِّنَ الشَّيْطَانِ تَذَكَّرُواْ فَإِذَا هُم مُّبْصِرُونَ

Verily those who guard (themselves against evil) when an evil thought from Satan afflicts them, they become mindful (of God and get awakened) then lo! They see (aright). (Al-Aaraf 7:201)

The Reality of Isti’adha is in This Verse

If this Holy Verse (7:201) is considered with attention and thought is given to the facts, we will comprehend that the real spirit of Isti’adha is reflected in it.

Those who have abandoned lascivious desires and turned their attention towards Allah (S.w.T.), they have come out of Satan’s abode and entered Allah (S.w.T.)’s sanctuary. Those in whose hearts Satan doesn’t live, whenever he hovers around their heart for a chance to enslave them, they busy themselves in the Remembrance of Allah (S.w.T.). Thus their hearts are illumined, they become aware of Satan’s trickery and with the power of Isti’adha chase him away.

The Supplication of Imam Sajjad (a.s.)

Hadrat Zayn al-’Abidin (a.s.) submits to Allah (S.w.T.) in Sahifa as-Sajjadiya:

“O Allah (S.w.T.)! When we have two desires and only one of them is to Your liking and the other might win your displeasure. Then turn our hearts towards the desire that is to Your liking that pleases You. Deny us (even the thought of) the desire that displeases You.”

When Allah (S.w.T.) diverts people’s hearts in a certain direction, their thinking changes drastically. As far as we don’t make piety our way of life the hearts are controlled by Satan. In such a condition there will be no use of remembering Allah (S.w.T.). When the heart is in the clutches of Satan, how could a person charter his own plan of action?

To illustrate this point I am relating another fable.

The Thief Who Put off the Lamp

In the olden days when wax candles or fat wicks were used in homes for lighting purpose in homes, a thief entered a house in the night and started gathering things to take away. The owner of the house heard some noise and got up from his bed to light a lamp. When the thief realized that the master was up and trying to light a match, he slowly blew air at it to put it off. In the time that the person could light another match the thief put his fingers in his mouth and with his saliva moistened the wick of the lamp. Thus the house owner could not put on a light.

The foolish house owner couldn’t realize there was someone there who was playing a trick on him. Hence, he gave up his efforts and retired to sleep again. The thief then did his work and departed.

A Thief in the Heart

Believe me, even of the esoteric world the same is the condition. If Satan comes to live there, he doesn’t allow the person to remember Allah (S.w.T.). If a man has no piety, any amount of talking and remembrance of Allah (S.w.T.) will be of no use.

You might have noticed that during times of strife, despite remembrance of Allah (S.w.T.), man doesn’t realize that he is completely in the clutches of Satan. In such a situation, however much one sermonizes about Allah (S.w.T.), the Prophet and the Imams (a.s.) he will not see any reason. Satan will not allow the litigant to mend his attitude more because he is not a man of piety.

Refrain from Fights Even if you Are Right

The Prophet (S) has said that a person who refrains from fights even if he is on the side of the truth, he would guarantee a high place in the Heaven for such a person. When a person is not on the right, but avoids fights, his place will be in the lowest stage in the Heaven.

Avoiding fights is possible only when a person is free of greed. Otherwise Satan will not ever allow him to live at peace with others. If a person dies in that condition, he will be termed as a man of Satan.

It is quite possible that there are persons who offer prayers, even in the mosque, under the control of Satan. Do these persons really come to the mosque in obedience to Allah (S.w.T.)? If they have come with Allah (S.w.T.)’s call, then why are they so self-conscious? If they refrain from fights and adopt piety, then only they will have vision and get deliverance.

The Patience Of Hadrat Dhul Kifl (a.s.)

Hadrat Dhul Kifl (a.s.) was among the Prophets of the past. His grave is near Hilla in Iraq and mention has been made of him in the Holy Qur’an. In Bihar al-Anwār there is a narration about the reason for his naming as Dhul Kifl (a.s.). There was a prophet prior to him, whose name was Yasa’a (a.s.). His mention is also there in the Holy Qur’an. - Wal Yasa’a wa Dhal Kifl (Sura Saad, 38:48).

Hadrat Dhul Kifl (a.s.) was among the companions and disciples of Hadrat Yasa (a.s.). In his last days Hadrat Yasa (a.s.) told to his companions, “Of you the person who promises to abide by the oath that I intend to take from you shall be my successor and vicegerent after me. The oath I want you to take is that you will not get angry under any circumstances and will not become a victim of Satan’s instigation.” Hadrat Dhul Kifl (a.s.) made a promise to the effect that he would never yield to the satanic instinct of anger. This was the reason that he was appointed to the august position of prophet and successfully faced the events that followed.

One should know that when a person is steadfast in his resolve to keep on the right path, Satan strives with equal tenacity to break his resolve. Hadrat Dhul Kifl (a.s.) was resolved to prevent the thought of anger ever crossing his mind. He stood like a mountain against all the efforts of Satan to provoke anger in him.

Satan Seeks Help

One day Satan got together a meeting of his retainers. He said, “I am tired of the tenacity of Dhul Kifl (a.s.). Whatever effort I make to break his resolve of not becoming angry, I fail utterly.” One Satan whose name was Abyad said, “I shall provoke Dhul Kifl (a.s.) to get angry!” Satan appointed him to this task. One regular habit of Hadrat Dhul Kifl (a.s.) was that he used to be praying and supplicating the whole night. During the day he kept himself busy attending to the tasks of people till Dhuhr prayer. He used to sleep at this time and awake at the time of Asr. Thereafter he used to busy himself in the service of people.

Satan Knocks At The Door

One day, when Hadrat Dhul Kifl (a.s.) was asleep, as usual, after Dhuhr, Satan knocked at the door and the janitor asked him, “What brings you here!” Satan said, “I have to make an appeal to him!” The Janitor said, “Come in the morning. Now he is sleeping.”

Satan started shouting, crying and pleading aloud. He said that he lived at a distant place and he couldn’t possibly come again the next day. Hadrat Dhul Kifl (a.s.)’s sleep got disturbed in this hubbub. He asked him to go away and return with the respondent to his complaint next morning. Satan said that the other person would refuse to come. Hadrat Dhul Kifl (a.s.) gave him his ring and asked him to show it to the person and tell him that he was summoned to attend the hearing.

Satan went away but came back next day at the same time as he came on the previous day. Again he cried, shouted and disturbed Hadrat Dhul Kifl (a.s.)’s sleep. Hadrat (a.s.) woke up from his siesta, talked calmly to him and gave a letter in the name of the respondent.

Abyad went away and Hadrat Dhul Kifl (a.s.) was unable to sleep even on that day.

Satan Gets Frustrated

Imagine the condition of a person who has not slept for three consecutive nights and days. On the third day too Satan came to the door of Hadrat Dhul Kifl (a.s.) at the same time that he did on the previous two days. He disturbed his sleep and said that the respondent did not bother to give any cognizance to his letter. Then he started shouting ferociously to arouse anger in Hadrat Dhul Kifl (a.s.) The accursed one said, “If you personally come along with me now, perhaps my work can be attended to!”

It is mentioned in the narration that the day was so hot that if a piece of meat was kept out it would become a kebab instantly. Satan made so much noise that Hadrat Dhul Kifl (a.s.) agreed to go with him. When he traversed the way coolly in that scorching condition, Satan knew that it was impossible to disturb Hadrat Dhul Kifl (a.s.)’s resolve to keep his anger in control. Therefore he fled from there!

There Will Be Negative Effect of Supplication on a Heart Devoid of Piety

Sometimes remembrance of Allah (S.w.T.) has a negative effect on a heart devoid of piety.

Haven’t you heard that while the accursed Ibn Ziyad was handling the severed head of Imam Husayn (a.s.), a drop of blood fell on his thigh and pierced to the other side of it. He put the head on the floor and touched the teeth of the Imam (a.s.) in a blasphemous manner with a stick.

Zaid Bin Arqam, a companion of the Prophet (S), was present at that moment. He told Ibn Ziyad that he had witnessed the Prophet (S) kiss these teeth affectionately that he was blaspheming against. The accursed person, instead of repenting his foul act told to Zaid Bin Arqam, “It is a pity that you are an old man now! Otherwise I would have severed your head immediately!” Then he sent Zaid out of the court.

It is not only Ibn Ziyad who perpetrated such foul behavior. Anyone whose heart is blind and deaf will have such tendencies. Any talk of remembrance of Allah (S.w.T.) will fall on the flat ears of such persons.

The Thirteenth Talk

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ اتَّقَواْ إِذَا مَسَّهُمْ طَائِفٌ مِّنَ الشَّيْطَانِ تَذَكَّرُواْ فَإِذَا هُم مُّبْصِرُونَ

Verily those who guard (themselves against evil) when an evil thought from Satan afflicts them, they become mindful (of God and get awakened) then lo! They see (aright). (Al-Aaraf 7:201)

Taqwa or Piety is Achieved With Practice

When we admit a child for the first time in a school, on the first day he is neither able to read nor write. He gets motivated to do any schoolwork in the beginning with difficulty. But when he is slowly initiated into reading and writing, he makes rapid progress. In time he will not have any difficulty in coping with his lessons.

Same is the case of taqwa or piety. Man has to strive to abstain from committing sins. Whenever he finds a situation to commit a sin, he should control himself and avoid committing it. The way a child gets used to reading and writing and becomes comfortable at these skills after some time, similarly when one tries with full determination to shun sinning, in good time he will be able to totally stop these undesirable acts. At this stage Allah (S.w.T.) will put a light in his heart that makes avoiding sins easier for him. He will have so much control on his tongue that even for the kingdom of the entire world, he would not tell a lie.

The same sins, the avoidance of which was next to impossible for him, now become very difficult to commit! Man should make efforts to inculcate such will power that he is able to avoid commitment of sins with ease. With this faculty in his heart, he will draw pleasure from the success of his efforts.

No doubt Allah (S.w.T.) doesn’t like infidelity in his creatures. “He has made faith (Imān) dear to them. He has made it the adornment for their hearts. And has created abhorrence in him for Infidelity and disobedience.”

At last a sinner starts disliking sins. He achieves the state of Taqwa where sin appears bitter than the bitterest thing and every small evil act seems the most evil. He thinks that every sin, howsoever minor, worth reproaching to the maximum extent.

The highest level of piety is cultivated after much practice and constant effort. There are a few stages and ranks of this piety.

Shunning Doubtful Things

When a person gets used to avoiding prohibited things and depending only on fair living, he advances one step, and with more effort he also avoids use of things, which give him some doubt of their being legitimate. Therefore, he not only avoids the use of haram objects but also abstains from things about which he has the slightest doubt of being haram.

He also abstains from uttering such words that Allah (S.w.T.) might dislike the use of. In stages he achieves total avoidance of the use of doubtful things in his day-to-day living.

Shunning of The Unbecoming Or Makrūhāt

The man now reaches a higher state of piety when he shuns the unbecoming (makrūhāt) and the stage is set for the use of only the desirables (mustahab). Now he has reached such a high state of piety that he does not avoid the desirables although he knows that they are not mandatory and not binding on him. He also meticulously avoids doing or using unbecoming (makrūh) things that are, no doubt, not totally banned.

Shunning The Permissible For Shunning The Prohibited

He becomes careful in the use of such permissible things that give him doubt that their use might make him avoid certain mandatory things.

For example, it is permissible to remain awake till mid-night in conversation with friends. In that time there can be two or three rounds of eating snacks. But, if one sleeps late on a full stomach, he might find it difficult to stir out of his bed for the Fajr prayer that is mandatory. Therefore, a pious person develops such a faculty in his nature that he takes care to avoid every permissible thing that might cause difficulty in performance of his mandatory duties.

Saving a Coin a Day For Use During Ramadhan

A baker was our friend. He was very skillful and capable in his trade. The month of Ramadhan came during summer one year. He took off from work the whole month of Ramadhan to avoid the excessive heat of his work place, while he fasted. He could do it by cleverly putting aside a coin from his earnings every day for the eleven months previous to Ramadhan to meet his expenses when he closed his shop during the fasting month.

Although spending this coin every day was permissible and well within his rights, the baker wanted to prepare himself properly for the fasting in Ramadhan that is mandatory!

Travel Becomes the Reason for Avoiding the Mandatory Duties

It is narrated that a person went to Imam (a.s.) and said, “I am required to travel to a cold country. These days there is so much snow fall there that the entire land is covered with it. It is difficult to get water for wudhu (the minor ablution) nor is it possible to do tayyamum (the dry ablution). In such a situation what instructions you give me about performance of the mandatory prayers?”

The Imam got angry on him and said, “Why are you undertaking such a journey that can disrupt you obligatory matters of faith? When you are aware that because of your traveling on business to that place your taqwa (piety) is affected, then you must avoid such travel”

When attending a gathering is permissible, but there is likelihood of undesirable things happening there, then it is better to avoid attending the party.

But all these doubts and confusions are for people with weak faiths, a man of piety will never falter from the right course.

The Material Capacities

There are certain permissible acts that might make a person commit haram actions. He thinks that in a material sense these acts have lot of meaning. Although an act might be mustahab (desirable) or mubah (permissible) the man of piety keeps a close watch on its implications and consequences. He seriously considers what effect the performance of the act might have on him. Then only he ventures to embark on performing it.

In our daily lives why there is waste and profligacy? What use spending lives on unproductive acts? When people don’t help their poor relatives and friends cutting into their legitimate expenses, and make heavy expenses through loans on pomp and show, their prayers are nothing short of hypocrisy. They may not be rewarded in the Hereafter.

Taking interest in the pleasures of life is not haram. It is in fact legitimate and permissible. But when such things are given unnecessary importance, there can be the likelihood of Qata ar-Rahm or depriving the near of kin of their legitimate rights and privileges. Even sometimes people fulfill their desire for pomp by meeting the high expenses with loans. Thus they might incur the risk of rendering their acts Haram.

Another example is that good humor is permissible. In certain circumstances it is desirable too. But we see that in excess, this permissible act ends into practical jokes and results in the heart- burn for the persons who are the subject of the humor. This can be tantamount to hurting the feelings of Mu’minīn and is Haram.

Therefore it is necessary to adopt Taqwa and extravagant indulgence in the material needs and excessive jest and humor must be avoided.

In a nutshell, there are three stages of taqwa:

Firstly: mastery in avoiding sins.

Secondly: Mastery in abstaining from the doubtful and the unbecoming things.

Thirdly: avoiding such permissible acts that might be the precursors of sins.

The Fourteenth Talk

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ اتَّقَواْ إِذَا مَسَّهُمْ طَائِفٌ مِّنَ الشَّيْطَانِ تَذَكَّرُواْ فَإِذَا هُم مُّبْصِرُونَ

Verily those who guard (themselves against evil) when an evil thought from Satan afflicts them, they become mindful (of God and get awakened) then lo! They see (aright). (Al-Aaraf 7:201)

The second aspect of Isti’adha is Tadhakkur, the remembrance and talk about Allah (S.w.T.). A person who acquires Taqwa or piety becomes free of the domination of Satan. As long as the influence of Satan on the person persists, he remains incapable of effective Isti’adha. Satan keeps going round the hearts of the men of piety to catch a chance of entering therein. But when these pious persons busy themselves in the Remembrance of Allah (S.w.T.), then there is a lightning of Allah (S.w.T.)’s Blessing and the net spread by Satan becomes visible to them in the momentary illumination. This puts the pious persons out of harms way.

Now, let us consider what is Allah (S.w.T.)’s intent about Tadhakkur in the oft-quoted verse during our discussions.

The Thought of Sin and Remembrance of Allah (S.w.T.)

In Tafseer al-Burhan commenting 0n this Verse, Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) quotes from Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) an incident that we are summarizing here. When a mu’min suddenly gets the thought of crime in his mind, Satan and his retainers make their maximum efforts to make the person put his thought to action. But in that moment the pious person remembers Allah (S.w.T.) and he abandons the thought of committing the sin.

There are also stages of Remembrance of Allah (S.w.T.) that are different according to the place and the situation. One of those situations is that when the thought of sin comes in the mind of the person, the instigator and prompter is Satan and the opposition of this enemy is necessary. And also the pious person is in oath with Allah (S.w.T.) that he will not follow Satan because the accursed creature is his sworn enemy. He should therefore not break his oath and instead of becoming ‘Abd ar-Rahman (worshipper of Allah (S.w.T.)) become ‘Abd ash-Shaitan (worshipper of Satan). Therefore, it is imperative that he keeps firmly to his oath and he should strive to resist Satan who can only bring destruction and perfidy.

أَلَمْ أَعْهَدْ إِلَيْكُمْ يَا بَنِي آدَمَ أَن لَّا تَعْبُدُوا الشَّيْطَانَ إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ

Did I not charge you, O children of Adam ! that you should not serve the Shaitan? Surely he is your open enemy. (Sura Ya Sin, 36:60)

وَلَقَدْ أَضَلَّ مِنكُمْ جِبِلًّا كَثِيراً أَفَلَمْ تَكُونُوا تَعْقِلُونَ

And certainly he led astray numerous people from among you. What! Will you not then understand. (Sura Ya Sin, 36:62)

At another place in the Holy Qur’an it is said that Allah (S.w.T.) has decided that those who follow Satan, Satan will push them into the abyss of darkness and take them into the blistering Fires of Hell. When a person adopts satanic thoughts and considers the temptations of Iblis worth pursuing, then Allah (S.w.T.) closes all the avenues of salvation for him and consigns him to the Hell.

Remembrance of Allah (S.w.T.) Relieves From Satanic Fears

Whenever satanic fears start getting into the heart, the man of piety busies himself in remembering Allah (S.w.T.). He thinks that if he committed the sin, he will be pushed away from Allah (S.w.T.)’s Blessing. What use will be the wretched life then!

It is quite possible that Satan, in his renewed attempt, puts a thought in the heart of the person that he was depriving himself of the pleasure of sin. The door of repentance was always open for him. The man of piety will then reply to Satan that what is the guarantee that he will get the chance of offering penitence for the sin. Even if he is able to do it, what is the surety that it would be accepted? In the end the Remembrance of Allah (S.w.T.) doesn’t allow Satan to gain an upper hand over the man of piety.

Sometimes Satan puts a fear in the heart of the man of Taqwa that he was encouraging him to commit only a minor sin.

But the heart busy in remembrance of Allah (S.w.T.) replies, “Run away! You accursed one! Disobedience Allah (S.w.T.), anyhow, is a major sin.”

Sometimes Iblis the accursed threatens the man of piety that if he didn’t comply with his advice, his end will be very pitiable. Sometimes he gives him false hopes that the results of sins will be good. Satan’s advice influences only those who befriend him (Satan).

إِنَّمَا ذَلِكُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ يُخَوِّفُ أَوْلِيَاءهُ

It is only the Shaitan that causes you to fear from his friends…. (Sura Aal Imran, 3:175)

But the man of piety gets the understanding with Remembrance of Allah (S.w.T.). The disturbing thoughts that come to the mind are only the doubts and fears created by Satan. The man of Taqwa, no doubt, fears only Allah (S.w.T.). Allah (S.w.T.) says at the end of the Verse:

“Fear only Me if you are a believer (mu’min)!”

Being Proud of One’s Prayers and Supplications

Sometimes Satan tricks men into becoming proud of their prayers and the love for the Ahl al-Bayt (a.s.). For example, he says, “How nice! You have gone on several pilgrimages to Karbala al-Mu’alla! You must have done innumerable good deeds during the visits to the Holy place. Husayn (a.s.) will certainly intercede on your behalf. Now, no sin can bring retribution to you.”

But the mu’min instead of becoming proud and conceited with such praises, should reply, “If I commit any sins, my intercessors {the Ahl al-Bayt (a.s.)} will be upset with me. This sin will become a curtain between me and Imam Husayn (a.s.). Allah (S.w.T.) only knows how far I would be pushed away from my intercessors by committing one sin! Feeling proud of the felicity of the ziyarat of Imam Husayn (a.s.) in itself is a sin that might deprive me of his (the Imam’s) intercession.”

A man of Taqwa can certainly be proud of its spiritual felicity, but the pride can only be manifested as Tashakkur or gratefulness. This expression of gratitude will not require any sermonizing from outside. Sermonizing becomes necessary when the person himself is not aware of his felicity and feels no urge to express his gratefulness to the Creator for that. Hadrat Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) says, “Truly felicitous person is one who is the preacher and sermonizer for himself!”

Satanic Fears in a State of Anger

It happens that people sometimes become angry while they have a heated exchange of words. As a result of the altercation one might use abusive language. Satan tempts the other party to reciprocate in the same language and tenor. But if he is a man of Taqwa, he immediately controls himself by Remembering Allah (S.w.T.). His mind suggests to him that if he behaved the same way as the opponent had behaved, then what would be the difference between the two.

The opponent had used uncouth language and had followed the dictates of Satan. If you do likewise, you too will render yourself the follower of Satan. With the beneficence of Dhikr of Allah (S.w.T.) his conscience will guide him to give a befitting reply to the opponent:

وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ الْجَاهِلُونَ قَالُوا سَلَامًا

and when the ignorant address them, they say: Peace. (Sura al-Furqan, 25:63)

It is better because of the Dhikr of Allah (S.w.T.), the person is able to dispel the fear and confusion from his mind. Otherwise, the dispute can become a haranguing contest, each flinging foul-words on the other and might even result in physical assault. If, at the rudimentary stage of the dispute, effort was made to cool down the other party, the matter could have been sorted out without much ado!

Now we can see at length how people get entangled in the web of Satan. Even those who call themselves men of taqwa are not immune from this. If they don’t busy themselves in Tadhakkur, they most likely would fall in the trap sometime or other.

Presence of a moralizer and preacher is absolutely necessary for the heart of every person to keep him warned not to become a victim of false pride and abstain from childish actions. Remember! A real man is one who always keeps the end in view. For example, when one keeps his cool during a heated argument with another person, the matter can be sorted out amicably. If this amicable nature is not there, how many persons would suffer tremendous losses fighting over trivial things with a sense of false pride. In such disputes Satan plays a very crucial role to create rifts and commission of sins by the litigants.

It is necessary for every mu’min to keep the intercession of Tadhakkur in his daily life. In the past there were such Mu’minīn who dug their own graves during their life times and used to recite the Holy Qur’an sitting inside these trenches. They did this to remind themselves of the Hereafter and the interior of the graves was illuminated with the felicity of Tadhakkur.

About Hizqeel

It is narrated that when Hadrat Dawood (a.s.) committed his initial fault, and he went lamenting through hills and dales in penitence, he reached the cave inside which Prophet Hadrat Hizqeel (a.s.) was busy in supplication.

When Hadrat Hizqeel (a.s.) heard the moaning of the hills and the beasts, he understood that Hadrat Dawood (a.s.) had come to him. The reason for this was that when Hadrat Dawood (a.s.) recited the Zaboor, the flora, fauna and the stones too joined him in the recitation. Hadrat Dawood (a.s.) reached the entrance of the cave and called, “O Hizqeel (a.s.)! Do you permit me to come up to you?” Hadrat Hizqeel (a.s.) said, “Please don’t come to me because you are a sinner!” But Allah (S.w.T.) sent a Revelation to him, “Because of Dawood (a.s.)’s first sin, don’t reprimand him. To the contrary pray to Us for his pardon and well being! Whenever we leave anyone to his own scruples, he might commit a mistake!”

Now Hadrat Hizqeel (a.s.) caught hold of Hadrat Dawood (a.s.)’s hand and guided him inside the cave.

Hadrat Dawood (a.s.) asked Hadrat Hizqeel (a.s.), “O Hizqeel (a.s.)! Have you ever thought of committing a sin?”

He replied, “No! Never!”

Hadrat Dawood (a.s.) asked, “Did you ever feel proud?”

He replied, “No! Never!”

Hadrat Dawood (a.s.) asked, “Have you ever been tempted with the worldly pleasures?”

Hadrat Hizqeel (a.s.) replied, “Yes! I was tempted!”

Hadrat Dawood (a.s.) asked, “Then! What remedy you use against these temptations?”

He replied, “In such circumstances I get into this cave and take pity from what I witness therein.”

Hadrat Dawood (a.s.) then entered into the recesses of the cave with Hadrat Hizqeel (a.s.) He found inside there a plate of steel. On the plate was lying a human skeleton and beside it was a tablet of steel on which was inscribed:

“I Arwai Bin Shalam

ruled for a thousand years,

established a thousand cities,

deflowered a thousand virgins.

But,

My condition is this

That my bed is dust

My pillow a stone

And

My body is the

Dwelling place of

Insects and vermin.

Whoever sets eye on me

Should not be carried away

With worldly attractions!”1

A Bed of Two Hands Full of Dust

Imagine a person who was an emperor of great pomp and pageant, was reduced to be put in a desolate cave and his mortal remains were lying on a steel sheet in dust. He had insects and vermin crawling all over his mortal remains. A mu’min must take a lesson from this incident. If he had obeyed Satan and his baser instincts, and ran after the worldly things, how long will the party last? A person who strives too hard for his selfish ends forgets that he has to die inevitably and all the paraphernalia that he accumulates will have to be left behind. He should pray that whatever benefits and blessings he enjoyed, his end should not be like of the mighty king whose story is narrated here.

Our topic of discussion is Tadhakkur. A person who leaves himself uncontrolled and doesn’t remember Allah (S.w.T.), h will he will be nowhere (like a rudder less ship). Man should strive to be like a mountain in his moral behavior. One who is vulnerable to the wave of doubts created by Satan, He should ensure that the glitter of the world doesn’t overwhelm him. This is possible if he keeps in mind the inevitable end that every mortal being is destined to!

Visit the Cemeteries is a Must

It is very necessary that one’s own conscience becomes his warner. In the Islamic Shari’ah it has been very strongly prescribed to visit the graves, particularly those of one's parents. Why this exhortation? This is because one recitation al-Fatiha at the graveside of his parents will result in rewards for them. He should give sadaqa (alms) for the propitiation of their souls. The Prophet (S) has asked people to visit the grave of their parents that it is the place from where prayers made by them will be answered.

The biggest benefit of visiting the graves of the parents is that it will make the person aware of the fact if the parent is not there with him, he too will have to follow suit some time in the future. This will give him the realization that he should not be attracted much to the transient world. He will then learn to dispel the satanic fears and apprehensions. He will start remembering Allah (S.w.T.) and think of the Day of Judgment!

Hadrat Fatima Zahra (a.s.) at the Graveside of Her Grand Uncle

Hadrat Fatima Zahra (a.s.), after the sad demise of her father (S), had to experience very audacious treatment from some persons that she fell ill under the pressure of these happenings. Even then, on every Monday and Thursday, with the permission of her husband (a.s.), she visited the grave of her great-uncle, Hadrat Hamza and other martyrs in Uhud.

Even the Prophet (S) during his last illness, despite severe fever and weakness, used to ask some persons to put their shoulders under his arms and take him to the graveyard.

O Allah (S.w.T.)! Do make us Ahl adh-Dhikr wat-Tadhakkur, in the name of Muhammad (S) and his Holy Progeny (a.s.).

Note

1. Ref: Ain al-Hayat, Page 178