Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

The Nineteenth Talk

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ لَهُ سُلْطَانٌ عَلَى الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ وَعَلَى رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ

Verily, there is no authority for him over those who believe and rely on their Lord. (Sura An-Nahl, 16:99)

Sorrows and Happiness Are From Allah (S.w.T.)

Tawakkul requires that people should understand that on everything is Allah (S.w.T.)’s suzerainty and all things big and small are His. All that happens is with His wish and command. As it is said in the Sura an-Najm giving examples of certain things it is said:

وَأَنَّهُ هُوَ أَضْحَكَ وَأَبْكَى

And that He it is Who makes (men) laugh and makes (them) weep; (Sura an-Najm, 53:43)

This means that it is Allah (S.w.T.) who controls the causes for men becoming happy and sad. He provides wealth and riches to people and makes them prosperous. The land on which we walk also belongs to Allah (S.w.T.). The dwellings in which we live in, and all the paraphernalia therein belong to Him only. We should have absolute Faith in His Sovereignty over everything.

Without Knowledge Faith of Tawhid is Not Practical

As long as one doesn’t have faith in the facts mentioned, it is not possible to understand the reality of La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah. Man has to understand that the authority of anyone, other than Allah (S.w.T.), on anything is totally negated. The word “La” asserts that there is no power in the hands of anyone other than Allah (S.w.T.). He alone is the reservoir and fountainhead of power and is the Creator and the Possessor.

There is no permanent class or status for the creatures. The ability of man to use the tongue and modulate words is because of the Will of Allah (S.w.T.).

The Mouth Opened But Didn’t Close

Sometime ago, a woman was brought to a hospital. Her lower jaw was hanging downward. They said that she opened her mouth wide to yawn. Ever since then she was unable to close her mouth.

It is true that making both the jaws meet is in His Power! The summary of this discussion is that in matters man doesn’t have total control and in everything the wish of Allah (S.w.T.) is Supreme. The matters that are unseen will become visible only with Allah (S.w.T.)’s Wish. To understand this phenomenon, it will need deep thinking and wisdom.

The Importance of Sura Al-Tawhid

About a third of the contents of the Holy Qur’an is about Tawhid or the Unity of Allah (S.w.T.). This highlights the importance of the verse of Tawhid that is specifically pertaining to the fact of the Unity of Allah (S.w.T.). According to some authentic traditions, the felicity of reciting this Sura is equal to reciting a third of the Qur’an.

Who deserves this felicity? The person deserving this reward is one who practices Taqwa or absolute piety. He can recite this verse thrice and get felicity equal to the recitation of the complete Book.

As we have said earlier, saying la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah is like having the key to the Heaven in one’s hands. But this privilege too is only for those who are practitioners of true Taqwa and have a complete understanding of and absolute faith on Tawhid. How could an ignorant person with aimless recitation of La hawla deserve to get the key to the Heaven?

Hadrat Ibrahim (a.s.) is a Source of Pride for Those Who Trust on Allah (S.w.T.)

The first stage of Tawakkul is that people should not think of Allah (S.w.T.) like a worldly attorney to whom they trust their matters with full confidence. The second stage is that the person trusts on Allah (S.w.T.) at least as much as a child puts his trust on the mother. The third stage concerns the privileged persons whose wealth and possession is only on the Will of Allah (S.w.T.). They do only that which has the express approval of Allah (S.w.T.)!

Hadrat Ibrahim Khaleelullah (a.s.) had achieved the highest degree of Tawakkul. When the men of Nimrod wanted to consign him to the fire, Hadrat Jibril came and asked him, “If you have any requirement, please tell me!” Hadrat Ibrahim said, “I do have a requirement, but I will not ask it of you!” Jibril asked, “From whom, then?” Hadrat Ibrahim (a.s.) replied, “He is aware of all my needs! I need not ask him. He is all-wise and He sees everything! Whatever He wishes for me, I too wish for the same!”

Have We Ever Told The Truth

We must be uttering a thousand times the word Hasbunallah wa n’im al-Wakil (Allah suffices for us and He is best attorney!). But in reality have we ever trusted to Him, wholly or partially, our worldly matters or affairs of the Hereafter?

Have we ever acted upon the injunction of the Holy Qur’an -Fattakhi dhuhu wakila – (then take Him (Allah) as an attorney)? If the reply to this question is in the negative, then what is the need of complaining and living in doubts and fears? Believe me! There is only one reason for all the trouble. That is, paucity of faith and belief.

A Mutawakkil is Never Greedy

If someone acquires Tawakkul in day-to-day life, then he will be free of greed and avarice in his needs and wants.

During Hijjat al-Wida, The Last Hajj, the Prophet (S) held the threshold of Ka’aba and turning towards his companions said, “Ruh al-Amin, Jibril, has revealed to my heart that no person will die till the sustenance earmarked for him in this world is not exhausted. This means that the person will not die before consuming the last morsel of food meant for him. Therefore, fear Allah (S.w.T.) and avoid greed and avarice, lest you involve yourselves in illegitimate (Haram). The one who reclines on the worldly matters, he will never be sated with however much he gets!”

This doesn’t mean that one should not strive for search of livelihood. Do strive, but always with Tawakkul in mind.

Dependence on The Wakil is Necessary

Consider this example with care and attention. Suppose you are involved in some legal problem. Dealing with this problem personally is beyond you. We suggested to you to look for a wise and competent lawyer and act on his advice. Then this act of yours will not be contrary to the requirements of Tawakkul but also the attorney’s advice will be binding on you because he wants things that way and your action also in accord, because he wishes to set your matters right.

This example proves that following the attorney’s advice implicitly is in accordance with the requirement of Tawakkul. Similarly Allah (S.w.T.) reforms the affairs of people through the circumstances (asbaab) created by Him.

Cure from ailments is at Allah (S.w.T.)’s Wish, but He also wants people to go to a physician and get medicines prescribed. He has exhorted people not to neglect this important matter in their lives. Similarly about the affairs of the Hereafter Allah (S.w.T.) says that for qualifying for the Heaven, a person’s own actions will be the yardstick for judgment.

وَأَن لَّيْسَ لِلْإِنسَانِ إِلَّا مَا سَعَى

And that man shall have nothing but what he strives for. (Sura an-Najm, 53:39)

You should not depend only on your prayers for deliverance, but also on His Munificence and Kindness. Don’t brood too much on your good deeds that it gives rise to the instinct of pride that might go against you. The best course for you is to implicitly follow the Commands of Allah (S.w.T.).

A Shop Without Goods on Allah (S.w.T.)’s Support

This is the reason that when the toilers stir out of their homes in search of work, they say, “O Sustainer! We strive for earning the day’s square meals. You must give abundance!” These words reflect the spirit of Tawhid.

It is said that in Medina a person came to Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) and complained of penury. The Imam said that when he reached home in Kufa, he should take a shop on rent and sit there. The man said, “I have no money to invest on goods!” The Imam replied, “Do whatever you are asked to do!” The man complied, rented a shop and started sitting there every day. After a few days a person came to him with some goods and asked him to sell them on the basis of a pre determined commission. The owner of the goods said that he was leaving the goods in the shop on consignment basis of sell-and-pay!

Another person came with some more goods and there was a flow of suppliers of goods to the shop. Buyers too started flocking the shop. The affairs of the person took a turn towards prosperity!

An Idle Youth is an Enemy Of Allah (S.w.T.)

There are some people who, on hearing that one must put Trust on Allah (S.w.T.), wrongly think that they need not make any efforts because Allah (S.w.T.) will provide their sustenance. They are absolutely wrong. They must work in obedience to Allah (S.w.T.)’s injunction for earning a fair living and not only in obedience to the instructions given at the place of work.

Whatever work a true Muslim does is only in Obedience to Allah (S.w.T.). He knows the Prophet (S.)’s exhortation, “An idle youth is Allah (S.w.T.)’s enemy” Therefore he goes out in search of his livelihood.

The Learned to Get Sustenance From Ghaib

Someone might raise an objection that why the people of learning don’t stir out in search of livelihood? The truth is that the nature of work of a seeker of knowledge (Talib e Ilm) is different from that of other people. It may not be possible that a person wants to train himself in jurisprudence and does other trades for a livelihood. He has to spend all his time in seeking knowledge on the matters of the Faith. Allah (S.w.T.) arranges their sustenance from - min haythu la yahtasib - a place he never imagined! Therefore, it has been narrated that excepting the seeker of knowledge, Allah (S.w.T.) has provided livelihood for all the creatures from the material resources of the world.

Tawakkul Depends on the Circumstances

One very important sign of Tawakkul is not the presence of any element of avarice in the person. The second sign is that when he meets different people, there is no change in his attitude. In certain cases persons think that they are men of Tawakkul, and imagine that they are totally dedicated to Allah (S.w.T.), but when they meets with failure in certain worldly affairs, they get dejected. This is a sign that they were depending more on worldly concerns than on Allah (S.w.T.). If there is total dependence on Allah (S.w.T.), then one would know that whatever happened to them is with His express Wish and thank Allah (S.w.T.) under all circumstances!

Weakness of Faith

Blaming or praising the circumstances is both the signs of lack of Tawakkul in a person and a proof of the weakness of his Faith, because, if the Faith on Unity of Allah (S.w.T.) (Tawhid) is firm, then Tawakkul will definitely be there. Tawakkul is always reflected in the words and deeds, likes and dislikes, of a person.

If someone enjoys a gain for some reason and, instead of being grateful to Allah (S.w.T.) for His Blessing, is only thankful to the favorable circumstances for his success, then he is a Mushrik or polytheist. Also, because of the circumstances, if he fails in his efforts, and blames the circumstances for his misfortune, then he considers only the circumstances as his Mushkil Kusha or his trouble-shooter and not the Will of Allah (S.w.T.). This is a general failing of the human beings.

But one who puts his total trust on Allah (S.w.T.), he doesn’t depend on the circumstances for the success of his tasks. If he fails in his efforts after due trials, he resigns himself to the fact that Allah (S.w.T.) willed it that way. Although the unfavorable circumstances might have been the cause of his failure, he thanks Allah (S.w.T.) that he believes the circumstances to be under the Power of the Almighty.

Acquiring Tawakkul is Mandatory

Tawakkul is mandatory on the Muslims. Neglecting it will be tantamount to not abiding by the mandatory action. As implicit faith on Tawhid is compulsory, Tawakkul too is necessary for a Muslim. It is a fact that when a person is firm in his belief of the Unity of Allah (S.w.T.), he instinctly becomes a practitioner of Tawakkul. Such a person is endowed with all the requirements of Faith. Iman bil Tawhid means that he trusts all his affairs to the Wish of Allah (S.w.T.). He expects help only from Allah (S.w.T.), fears Him and puts total Trust in Him.

The researcher Ardabili says in “Zibdat al-Bayan” that the Command of Allah (S.w.T.) about Tawakkul is not specifically for the Prophet (S.) but it is in general for all human beings. The Holy Verse “Fattakhi dhuhu wakila” is for everyone and the witness for this is borne by the other verses of the Holy Qur’an wherein the populace is addressed in this manner:

وَعَلَى اللّهِ فَتَوَكَّلُواْ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ

…and on Allah should you rely if you are believers. (Sura al-Maidah, 5:23)

Therefore this is a general injunction for all Muslims.

Here it is possible that one might say that such injunctions in the Qur’an are just a part of the code of moral values. Then the injunction of believing in La ilaaha illallah might face the same doubt. The meaning of La ilaaha illallah is that Rabb (Lord), Ma’bud (Creator), Mudabbir (Wise), Worthy of Worship and All Pervading is only Allah (S.w.T.) and none else. This is the Practical Tawhid (Tawhid al-Af’aali). Is it possible that even those who do not have faith in this might not be questioned for their lack of faith! No! In all circumstances firm faith on Tawhid is compulsory.

Tawakkul and Counsel

The researcher Ardabili says that in terms of the Holy Verse “Fatawakkal ‘ala Allah” (therefore place your trust on Allah) it is still binding on every believer (mu’min) to take advice from others in all matters. But he should also not think that the best solution for his problems is only in the advice he has obtained from others. In fact, he should depend on Allah (S.w.T.) that He puts the right advice on the tongues of the advisers.

If because of good advice you succeed in your task, then don’t say that the desirable result is only because of the advice. You should think that Allah (S.w.T.) had guided your advisers aright! If you are unsuccessful in your efforts, despite all the good advice, think that it was Allah (S.w.T.)’s Wish.

Therefore, whether you acted on your own intuition or the advice of others, hope for Allah (S.w.T.)’s Help in your matters. Always ask your advisers to give their right suggestions mindful of Allah (S.w.T.)’s Wish in the matter.

If There is no Tawakkul There is no Faith

Ardabili says that one who has not acquired Tawakkul has deprived himself of Faith. Because Allah (S.w.T.) says:

وَعَلَى اللّهِ فَتَوَكَّلُواْ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ

…and on Allah should you rely if you are believers. (Sura al-Maidah, 5:23)

This proves that if there is no Tawakkul there is no Iman or Faith. This proves that the crux of the faith is to believe that Allah (S.w.T.) is the Causer of the Causes (Musabbib al-asbaab) and the basic requirement of the Faith is to Trust on Allah (S.w.T.). If you rate your own view or the advice of others more than the Will of Allah (S.w.T.) then you have distanced yourself from Him. In these circumstances you have ceased to be a believer, then what is the question of your practicing Tawakkul?

Tall Claims Belittle a Person

A person, sixty years of age, had claims of being an adept at everything, was particularly proud of his knowledge of medicine. He claimed that he was the Aristotle of the time. He proudly said that he maintained his body according to the rigid norms of medicine and that he would certainly live with good health for the next forty years.

One day the man made a meal of yogurt and cucumber around the time of Dhuhr. He was devoid of teeth that he had already lost. He developed a heart- ache after his meal. He thought that the pain was due to the cold. He made a self-diagnosis that he was chronic sufferer of biliousness, and the yogurt he had eaten was not sufficient to curb the bile. He therefore drank some lime- juice. He thought that this treatment would give him comfort. But by Asr he was really put to rest! He had expired!

Don’t Trust Your Own Intuition

One who depends only on his intuition, he thinks that there is no power over him that has Wisdom of all the matters. Such a person suffers from lack of Faith.

You must ensure that whenever you decide to do anything, depend on your own wisdom, advice of friends and trust the matter to Allah (S.w.T.). Don’t ever think that the reason for doing any task is permanent. We never know what is the Wish of Allah (S.w.T.).

Briefly, if there is no Tawakkul, there isn’t Faith. The meaning of Tawakkul is depending on other. If a person is the practitioner of Tawakkul, he trusts his matters to Allah (S.w.T.). If he doesn’t Trust Allah (S.w.T.) then he depends on others for the solution to his problems.

The Twentieth Talk

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ لَهُ سُلْطَانٌ عَلَى الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ وَعَلَى رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ

Verily, there is no authority for him over those who believe and rely on their Lord. (Sura an-Nahl, 16:99)

In the last talk we have discussed the observation of the Researcher Ardabili on the subject of Tawakkul. The 158th Verse of Sura Aal Imran says:

وَشَاوِرْهُمْ فِي الأَمْرِ فَإِذَا عَزَمْتَ فَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللّهِ إِنَّ اللّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُتَوَكِّلِينَ

…so when you have decided, then place your trust in Allah; surely Allah loves those who trust (Him). (Sura Aal Imran, 3:158)

Consult with others about your work, when you make up your mind after that, then trust on Allah (S.w.T.) and go ahead with your task. About this Researcher Ardabili has said that whether the basis of the decision to go ahead with the task is of your thinking or the advice of others, Tawakkul on Allah (S.w.T.) is very important. Whatever the result, success or failure, don’t think that it was because of the good or bad advice you followed, but try to resign to the will of Allah (S.w.T.).

Whatever task you want to accomplish, whether for seeking some benefit or for warding away some trouble, have Tawakkul on Allah (S.w.T.) for that matter and don’t depend only on your own decision and the advice of friends. Remember your friends too, like you, are fallible beings. “Whomsoever you call for help, besides Allah (S.w.T.), is a creature of Allah (S.w.T.) like you.” Therefore it is necessary that the fountainhead of the strength of your heart should be none other than Allah (S.w.T.). It must be remembered the wisdom and vision of men is limited and may not have the comprehension of all the connected facts.

We don’t suggest that you should not consult nor do we ask you to refrain from acting on the advice of your well-wishers. But you must keep all your hopes only on Allah (S.w.T.) and pray to Him that He puts the best alternative for your welfare on the lips of your advisers. Allah (S.w.T.) says, “One who does Istikhara (seeks good from Allah (S.w.T.)) will never be in trouble.” The reason for this is that one will not be aware of what is in store for him. He seeks Allah (S.w.T.)’s guidance because He knows everything about all the matters.

Istikhara And Tawakkul

It has come in the narrations about Imam Zayn al-’Abidin (a.s.) that whenever he had any important task to perform, like buying a house, marriage or need for traveling, we would repeat the following words 200 times: asta-khirullahi birahmatihi fi ‘aafiya.

And, then, according to his own thinking he would act.

The Researcher Ardabili says that because of Tawakkul, it is mandatory on Muslims that they leave all their affairs in the trust of Allah (S.w.T.) and resign themselves to His wish. For example, a farmer sows seeds in his fields trusting in Allah (S.w.T.) that he gets a good crop and returns for his hard toil. When you succeed in any task, count it as Allah (S.w.T.)’s wish and not only the result of your own efforts. If you get the feeling of pride for you success, it might be tantamount to be termed practitioner of polytheism (shirk).

It should be your faith that you are only an instrument to do the task, but its results are not in your hands. Your duty is to knock at the door of Allah (S.w.T.) and make efforts to create circumstances for the fulfillment of the task.

Whatever work a man does, his faith should be that fulfillment and accomplishment of the job is at the discretion of Allah (S.w.T.). The erudite scholars of Islam have said and, Tabari too says in his commentary, Majma al-Bayan that one should submit to Allah (S.w.T.) his affairs in such a manner that the thought of his person gets obliterated in the process. Ija’al an-nafs kal maadoom - think of the self as being absent.

A farmer, after sowing the seeds of oats in his fields, keeps all his hopes for a good crop on Allah (S.w.T.) and awaits His Wish. Innallaha huwar-Razzaq - the true Sustainer is Allah.

All men, in their affairs, must have such faith in Allah (S.w.T.).

Everything Happens With The Wish of Allah (S.w.T.)

As a farmer is aware that his crop is not only the result of his personal endeavors because lots of crops fail because of several reasons and also are destroyed by natural calamities as well. Similarly a trader should know that the profit in his business is not only because of his skills in the trade. As a matter of fact the labor of the farmer and the skillful investment of the trader are because of Allah (S.w.T.)’s Support and Wish. Allah (S.w.T.) is, no doubt, the creator and the Master of everything in the Universe. If His Wish was not favorable to them, all the efforts of the farmer and the trader could have gone to waste. Therefore, man should put his implicit Trust in Allah (S.w.T.), otherwise he will not get anything other than failure and disappointment.

Tawakkul in Times of Danger

It is He who gives relief from harm and danger. To face the enemy it is necessary to manufacture arms and strengthen oneself. But success in defense too is only at His pleasure. Therefore, to protect one’s life, property, honor and specially the Faith, your total dependence must be on Allah (S.w.T.).

Tawakkul doesn’t mean that one need not make efforts to strife for material benefits, or to strive to ward off dangers and leave everything to the care of Allah (S.w.T.). We have reiterated on the matter several times that when the attorney tells his client to gather all the relevant documentation and evidence himself, he has to do it. When the attorney has all the data on the causes of the litigation, he can successfully handle the case. The client cannot sleep away. He has to follow up the proceedings of the case. Similarly for defense against an enemy, one has to acquire and procure the necessary arms. Don’t also think that making available the arms relieves you of action. Defense has to be done by you yourself. But the reservoir and the fountainhead of the strength of your heart is the support of Allah (S.w.T.) whose pleasure is essential for victory and success.

Ignorant Tawakkul

Many years ago in Samara there was literally an invasion by hordes of scorpions. They started emerging from every hole and crevice, every door and window. All the students fled from the schools. One student did an Istikhara whether he could stay put in the school. Somehow, the Istikhara came out favorable for staying. Therefore the student stayed on at the Madrasah. He slept there in the night. In the morning his cortege had be taken out from the premises.

This is an ignorant act that in the name of Tawakkul, expose oneself to danger. The right thing would have been to flee from the place of danger in Tawakkul of Allah (S.w.T.).

As Tawakkul is necessary, so is the effort to earn a livelihood is necessary. Similarly putting ones conscience in danger too is Haram. Allah (S.w.T.) issues His Orders through the circumstances. Sometimes He does it without any recourse to circumstances to prove His Omnipotence!

Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) and the Tiger

Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) was proceeding with a group from Kufa for performing the Hajj. On the way a tiger confronted them. The people in the group didn’t have the courage to face it. The Imam (a.s.) himself went forward and waved to the tiger to go away. It turned and went away. Then the Imam (a.s.) addressed the surprised group: “If you too were free of sins, you could have done what I was able to do! Even the wild animal would have obeyed you.”

The researcher Ardabili says that at such times the Imam, through inspiration (Ilham) knows that Allah (S.w.T.) will give relief in such situations without any reason. He also knows that such acts are exceptional. Therefore, they cannot be applied everywhere as a rule.

Other Meanings Of Tawakkul

We have already mentioned that Tawakkul is the pursuance of legitimate affairs and dependence on Allah (S.w.T.). A question might arise in the minds that in some books Tawakkul has been mentioned in other senses than trust on Allah (S.w.T.). An example is that” a Mu’min doesn’t fear Allah (S.w.T.)”. Does Tawakkul al-Wajib or mandatory Tawakkul require one not to fear a wolf or a formidable enemy? Does it also require the person not to fear penury and disease?

In another place it is said that a man of Tawakkul must know that the Master of all gain or loss is none other than Allah (S.w.T.). In another place it is said that one should not expect anything from anyone but Allah (S.w.T.). The true sense of Tawakkul is not derived from these statements.

The Existence of Cause is Not Permanent

The researcher Ardabili says that explanation for such narrations is necessary. Not seeking anything from anyone would only mean that the person from whom one obtains anything is not the Ultimate Provider. If one needs bread, he should not think that the baker is the sustainer (raziq). The way one pleads for things with Allah (S.w.T.), one should not do the same way with anyone else. Otherwise it would be Shirk or polytheism.

These days there is a story taking rounds in Tehran that some people are propagating the Wahabi Sect in Tehran. They say that saying “Ya Muhammad” and “Ya ‘Ali” is Shirk. In support of their claim they quote the verse: “Lo! those on whom ye call beside Allah are slaves like unto you.” (Sura al-A’raaf, 7:194). They also quote: “Therefore call not upon any one with Allah.” (Sura al-Jinn, 72:18)

These are ignorant persons who do not seem to know the meaning of prayer (Du’a).

Calling Someone Other Than Allah (S.w.T.)

The meaning of Du’a, or Supplication is calling or summoning someone. Just calling and summoning is not forbidden. But doing it in a manner that Allah (S.w.T.) is called is not desirable. The call that is specifically associated with Allah (S.w.T.) is Du’a. If anyone called in this manner, it will be Shirk. Cure from a disease has to be asked for from Allah (S.w.T.). If the same thing is asked of from a physician, it can be termed Shirk. From the physician one can only ask for diagnosing the ailment and prescribing the medicines. The intercession (Tawassul) of the Ahl al-Bayt (a.s.) falls under the same category. If someone pleads to Hadrat Abul Fadl al-Abbas as one would plead with Allah (S.w.T.), then it would be Shirk.

But none do like this. Everyone thinks that Hadrat Abbas is the intercessor on their behalf.

Therefore, the meaning of Tawakkul is that other than Allah (S.w.T.) none else should be termed as the provider. Consider everyone under Allah (S.w.T.)’s will and pleasure. One should depend only on Allah (S.w.T.). Don’t the people who object to saying “Ya Muhammad”, “Ya ‘Ali” realize that everyday they call several persons other than Allah (S.w.T.)!

Twenty First Talk

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ لَهُ سُلْطَانٌ عَلَى الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ وَعَلَى رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ

Verily, there is no authority for him over those who believe and rely on their Lord. (Sura an-Nahl, 16:99)

Tawakkul Necessary to Learn About Tawhid

The importance of Tawakkul is supported by the fact that it is an important concomitant of belief in Tawhid. The first Da’wah (initiation) of all the Prophets (a.s.) has always been Tawhid or unity of Allah (S.w.T.). The Holy Qur’an dwells mostly on the topic of Tawhid. The knowledge that one has to compulsorily acquire is the knowledge about Tawhid. Knowledge starts with the understanding of Allah (S.w.T.) and its peak is submitting oneself to His Will.

One who really aspires to be an Aalim (an erudite scholar), his first duty is to get a clear understanding about Tawhid. He must perfect himself in this aspect of learning. It is not sufficient to say that we are Muslim and we have faith in Tawhid. The touchstone of Tawhid is firm faith in la ilaaha illallah and true understanding of this Commandment. This has to be accompanied by absolute faith on Tawhid al-Af’aali that whatever happens is with the Wish of Allah (S.w.T.). One has also to believe that every bounty is a gift from Allah (S.w.T.). The faith has to be from the depths of the heart and not just an utterance from the lips.

Difference Between Words and Deeds

During a day we pray five times. During these prayers we utter the words Rabb al-‘Aalameen at least ten times. But mere utterance of these words is not sufficient for the perfect belief on the Lord of the entire Universe. The belief has to be from the depth of the hearts that He is the Creator of all those false gods who made spurious claims to godhood. Mere words are not sufficient. They just purify a person as a part of the mandatory performance of prayer five times a day. The main purpose is the understanding of the real fact that One on whom every human being puts faith is the sustainer of all the worlds. He is the Creator of things from smallest particle to the elephant, the human race, earth, sky, the constellations and Jinns and angels. He controls the affairs of all His creatures. Although it is not possible for the human eyes to see Allah (S.w.T.), a firm faith in the Qur’an gives one the belief to attain true Islam.

Entrusting the Affairs

Isn't the Holy Qur’an a Book Revealed by Allah (S.w.T.)?

If yes: then observe that from the beginning to the end it talks of Tawhid. Ma’bud (Deity), Rabb (Preserver), Malik (Master) and Mudabbir (Statesman) is Allah (S.w.T.). After knowing all this, when the Faith on His Divinity (Ilahiyat) is perfected then one must trust all his affairs to Him.

About Tawakkul the revered persons of the Faith have said that, “Tawakkul is entrusting all affairs, minor and major, to Allah (S.w.T.) who is the Absolute Master of the entire universe. If you consider yourself His creature, you should not say that you want things in a certain way. But whatever He does, whatever He Wishes and whatsoever way He treats you, you must resign to His Wish.

Attachment to circumstances doesn't come in the way of Tawakkul. We have said earlier that, Laysa lil insaan illa ma sa-aa, “There is nothing for man except for what he strives for” (Sura an-Najm, 53:39). But this doesn't mean that one should depend wholly on the circumstances. Your Wakil and Master Has said that He will give sustenance according to the circumstances, but the circumstances without Wish cannot guarantee any results.

Consideration of Verses Regarding Tawhid

We should give utmost importance to Tawhid over all other things. Think a lot over the verses in the Holy Qur’an about the subject of Tawhid. This will strengthen your Faith that circumstances have no permanent form or status. At certain times the circumstances lose their importance and the benefits that could have accrued will no more be there. The circumstances or reasons becoming ineffective are a strong indication that there is some All Prevailing Power that is Absolute, and is not subject to any circumstances or reasons.

It is said about Plato (Aflatoon) that once he was afflicted with acute diarrhea. However much he was treated, he was not getting relief. His disciples said that although he was an adept at medicine, why he was not able cure his own ailment. Plato told them to fetch him a certain powder. He mixed that powder with water and took it. In no time his diarrhea stopped. Then he turned to his disciples and said, “I did take this powder earlier too. But as long as there is no Will of Allah (S.w.T.), nothing can happen!”

Sometimes we see that certain things happen unexpectedly. At times we very much want a certain thing, and the circumstances too are congenial, but that thing doesn't come about.

Some years ago, Sadr al-Hukama, who was a physician of very high repute, mentioned to me an anecdote. He said that once a patient was brought to him who was very weak and thin. When he, the hakim, tested the patient he found that he was in a very precarious condition with the kidneys, liver and heart very badly affected. He felt that the patient might live for a few days only and that he had refused to treat him. The patient's relatives taunted the Hakim and said that perhaps he was imperfect in his calling that he expressed inability to treat him. The Hakim was upset with their misbehavior but kept quiet. In a lighter vein he told them to go home and give him Joshanda (a simple decoction of herbs used in homes for common colds).

After sometime, the same patient visited the Hakim. He was now in perfect health. His relatives, who were angry on him during their previous visit, were also there. They brought with them lot of cheese and shortening as gift for him. They said that when he had such a simple cure for the patient, why did he disturb them by saying that there was no hope for the patient.

This proves that Allah (S.w.T.) has Power over everything. All circumstances and reason have no effect when He wishes anything to happen. We find through our experiences that sometimes the most ineffective things have tremendous effect. At others, things that have proven effectiveness turn out to be ineffective. All this is definitely the result of Allah (S.w.T.)'s slightest gesture!

Allah (S.w.T.) told Hadrat Musa (a.s.), that he should seek even the salt for his use from Him. Allah (S.w.T.) told him that He is the provider of everything. This doesn't mean that one should keep sitting at a place and expect Allah (S.w.T.) to provide everything. It means keeping Tawakkul on him and keep searching for the salt for your requirement! If Allah (S.w.T.)'s Wish is not there, the entire land will be full of salt, but you may not get a grain of it for your use!

Fiqh and Tawhid

As long as one doesn't have absolute faith in Tawhid, a person cannot become a Faqih or Islamic Jurist. The person will not have the vision of the Faith. The skills acquired with hard work are a prelude to attaining enlightenment. For this one has to be a friend of learning and to be fully conversant with the dictates of the Shari’ah.

The populace will generally be involved in Shirk that they think that the circumstances cause the events. Wherever one looks, he will find people running after materialism. They worship circumstance and have extreme love for wealth and pomp.

There are some people who give an impression as if the Mihrab wa Minbar (the Niche in the mosque and the Pulpit) are their deity. They should know that it is shirk to consider the 'cause' as the 'causer'.

Piety (Taqwa) and Tawhid

It is our duty to reach the stage of learning where our faith in Tawhid becomes absolute. “Understand well that there is no deity but Allah (S.w.T.)”. The way for reaching that stage is through Taqwa or piety. When your Taqwa is firm, then you will become erudite (Aalim) with Allah (S.w.T.)'s help.

He will bestow you with the wealth of knowledge. This knowledge will give you firm belief in “la ilaaha illallah” and “la hawla wa laa quwwata illa billah”. Your faith will be firm and your worldly life too will be better. When you transit from here to the Hereafter, then the light of knowledge, faith and belief will be your guide. The ranks of the Hereafter too will become visible to you in this light. There is no doubt that action is necessary with knowledge. If you desire to be ranked with the Muqarrabeen as-Saabiqeen (Trusted friends of yore), those who had a special status in the consideration of the Prophet (S.) and his Ahl al-Bayt (a.s.), then you must attain perfect faith.

The True Faith

Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.) says that during one journey the Prophet (S) met some persons. They greeted him. The Prophet (S) asked them, “Who are you?” The persons replied, “We are Mu’minīn.” The Prophet (S) asked, “What is the proof of your Faith?. Is it just a mere claim that you are Mu’min or you have some strong proof for your claim?” They said, “We absolutely trust in the Wish of Allah (S.w.T.) and we have entrusted all our affairs to Him. We bow our heads in acceptance for whatever He decided for us!” The Prophet (S) rejoined, “You are wise and learned! You are near a stage when you will qualify to be in the company of the prophets (a.s.)”1 .

One who acquired Hikma (wisdom) he has acquired virtue in abundance (cf. Sura al-Baqara, 2:269). By acquiring learning you know the secrets of existence and will be in the know of what is not visible or evident. You have risen above materialism. The entire world is worshipping the apparent in this world, but you have risen far above that!.

Man should, therefore, perform such acts that he is able to acquire knowledge and faith through their performance and he reaches the stage of Tawakkul. He should entrust all his affairs to Allah (S.w.T.).

Abstain From Avarice

The Prophet (S.) then told them:

“If you are truthful, then don't construct the house in which you may not live. Don't hoard food that you may not eat! Fear Allah that you ultimately have to return towards Him. If you are truly a person of truth, Trust in Allah (Tasleem wa Rida) and men of Tawakkul then avoid avarice. One who is after acquisition of properties, and plans every time to have more of them and has concern that his holdings might diminish in their value, will be always scared of the coming times. If there is Tawakkul on Allah, there will be no concern for what comes and what goes!

You will then have no fear of penury or starvation! Avarice is a sign that all the claims of Tawakkul of the person are false. One who doesn't practice contentment and is always engrossed in avarice, it means that he has no Faith in the Musabbib al-asbaab (The Causer of Causes), who is Allah. He only considers the circumstances as the relievers of difficulties. If this is not the case, then he would not construct a house in which he might not live, he would not hoard food grains that are much more than the real need of his family. One woman was saying that she had some money that she wanted to save for her shroud and interment after her death. She was asked, 'Are you saving the money with avarice in your mind. Otherwise, there is none who died and did not get a shroud and burial! As long as man remains the slave of circumstances, he will worship wealth! He should keep his death in view that before warming a place the drum for departure might be sounded!”

Destined Towards Allah (S.w.T.)

Allah (S.w.T.) says:

وَاتَّقُواْ اللّهَ الَّذِيَ إِلَيْهِ تُحْشَرُونَ

And fear Allah, to Whom ye shall be gathered back. (Sura al-Maidah, 5:96)

When you have the belief that - Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’oon - we have to return towards Allah (S.w.T.), then how important it is for you to exercise maximum care to ensure that you don't commit any act of disrespect for Him, that you are destined to be presented before Him. Expecting favors from others than Allah (S.w.T.) is a sign of grave disrespect towards Him. How one would feel going to His presence that he had been committing these transgressions throughout his life!

Whenever Imam Hasan (a.s.) thought of death and the grave, he used to lament very much. Whenever he thought of the Day of Resurrection, he used to faint with grief. He was fully aware of the Greatness and Might of Allah (S.w.T.) and was conscious of the aura of the Day of Judgement.

Habib Ibn Madhahir was a Faqih

The Progeny of Muhammad (a.s.) were the people of Knowledge and wisdom. Whosoever got a ray of knowledge in their company, became a practicing man of learning (‘Aalim ba ‘amal). The scholars should know that they must strive to get counted amongst those whom Aali Muhammad (a.s.) accept as scholars and not merely the populace praise them as such.

Imam Husayn (a.s.), during his journey towards Karbala, sent a letter through a courier to Hadrat Habib b. Madhahir to Kufa. The subject of the letter was: Ya ayyuhar rajul al-faqih - O man of erudition! The Imam (a.s.) wrote: Habib is truly a Faqih that he knows Allah (S.w.T.) and also he recognize the Imam (a.s.). The foundation of his fountainhead is the understanding of Tawhid. The worldly knowledge and skills do not provide the instinct of Tawhid. Don't lose the way and do not get involved in absolute ignorance (Jahl al-Murakkab) that you are amongst the learned. This pride might destroy you.

Note

1. From Usūl al-Kafi Haqiqat al-Imān wal Yaqeen

The Fourth Talk

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

وَقُل رَّبِّ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ هَمَزَاتِ الشَّيَاطِينِ وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ رَبِّ أَن يَحْضُرُونِ

Say thou: ‘O my Lord! I seek refuge unto Thee from the (evil) promptings of the satans! I seek refuge unto Thee O my Lord from their access to me. (Sura al-Muminun, 23:97-98)

The only way to safety from Satan is Isti’adha]

The fears and hardships that man faces on account of Satan are not hidden from anyone. Everyone knows that Satan is the worst enemy of human beings. He doesn’t leave the men alone till their last breath. His only purpose in the world is to see that man doesn’t profess faith on Allah (S.w.T.) and the Hereafter. At least, Satan makes every effort to ensure that men veer away from doing good deeds and get attracted to evil acts.

The most important thing is that men make every effort to get rid of Satan and his ilk. But to get rid of such powerful and organized group of enemies is not an easy task. The Holy Qur’an prescribes the one and only remedy for the situation, is Isti’adha. There are clear indications in the Book saying, “Fastaidh billah” (So seek refuge with Allah!), because it is not possible to reach the Truth without doing this.

The King’s tent and the ferocious watch-dog

I had cited an example that Satan is like a ferocious dog that lingers at the entrance to the king’s tent. Whenever anyone tries to go to the presence of the king, the dog rushes at him with gnawing teeth. This is such a mean janitor that barring the close friends of the king, none other is safe. Only Allah (S.w.T.)’s favorites can reach Him without let or hindrance from this enemy. Anyway, to enter the king’s tent we shall have to seek protection from him from the evil dog. There is no other way than seeking Allah (S.w.T.)’s help and protection from the accursed Satan to achieve His nearness! Only Allah (S.w.T.)’s fury can contain the accursed Satan.

Therefore, it is absolutely necessary to seek Allah (S.w.T.)’s protection that with His attention one can get protection from the mischief of Satan. In this regard the Holy Qur’an says:

وَقُل رَّبِّ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ هَمَزَاتِ الشَّيَاطِينِ وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ رَبِّ أَن يَحْضُرُونِ

And say: ‘O my Lord! I seek refuge in Thee from the evil suggestions of the Shaitans; And I seek refuge in Thee! O my Lord from their presence.’ (Sura al-Muminun, 23:97-98)

Particularly in privacy and loneliness, saving oneself from the fears and temptations created by Satan is rather difficult. In such a situation one must call:

Ya Ghiyath al-mustaghitheen

Ya Malaadh al-laaedheen

O listener of the plaint of the plaintiff

O provider of succor to the refuge seeker!

‘Save me from the machinations of Satan.’ If there is no protection of Allah (S.w.T.), one cannot save himself from the onslaught of Satan’s deceptions.

Isti’adha should emanate from the heart and not merely from the lips

To gauge the reality of Isti’adha, only saying audhu billahi min ash-shaitanir rajeem or saying its translation in one’s own language is absolutely insufficient. Isti’adha is a meaningful and spiritual condition that is conveyed by the words noted above. If Isti’adha is prompted from the heart of the person, then only it will be effective. Otherwise, just uttering the words would make one the play-thing of Satan.

The three types of Isti’adha

There are three ways the Isti’adha is done:

There are persons who neither have the right spirit of doing Isti’adha nor are they aware of the meaning of the words of Isti’adha. But, all the same, as a force of habit, they utter the words: audhu billahi min ash-shaitanir rajeem. Unless the Isti’adha comes with feelings, understanding and from the heart, it becomes a satanic joke!

There are persons who know the meanings and purport of the words of Isti’adha and are capable of saying them properly, but they haven’t the right feelings in their heart and also their actions are in obedience of Satan. Such Isti’adha will be for Satan rather than a submission to Allah (S.w.T.) for His protection against Satan!

There is a third group of persons who say the words of Isti’adha from the depths of their hearts and are fully aware of their meaning, purport and spirit. These persons will be fully aware of the Greatness and Omnipotence of Allah (S.w.T.). The Isti’adha of these persons will always get the accepted by Allah (S.w.T.).

Seeking protection in Allah (S.w.T.)’s obedience

The deity of the sinners and Allah (S.w.T.)’s disobedient persons is always Satan. Such persons might curse Satan a thousand times to make a hypocritical show to others. To put the matter in more precise words, such persons outwardly say ‘audhu billahi min ash-shaitanir rajeem (I seek refuge with Allah from the cursed shaytan) but their character is such that they make false allegations against others, use abusive language, trifle with the self-respect of others and reveal others’ confidences. Such persons don’t refrain from committing any minor or major sin and all the same utter the words of Isti’adha! In practice their Isti’adha becomes ‘audhu bish-shaitan min ar-Rahman, that would mean seeking protection of Satan to escape from Allah (S.w.T.) (na’udhu billah!!). On the lips of such persons are the words that in obedience to Allah (S.w.T.) they are seeking His protection, but their actions are all contrary to His Commandments. When the curtains of ignorance are raised from the hearts of such persons, they realize that all the time it was Satan who prompted them to utter the words audhu billah to ridicule their weak faith!

A satanic book to refute Satan

It is said that a scholar of some repute thought of writing a book to warn the people about the treacherous and mean acts of Satan. During the same period a pious person met Satan in a state of apocalyptic revelation. He told to Satan, “O accursed creature! The time has come for your exposure! Such-and-such a maulana is very soon writing a book about your nefarious acts!” Satan smiled derisively and said, “You are involved in a misunderstanding! This book is being written at my suggestion!” The pious person asked, “How is it possible?” Satan replied, “I had put doubts in the heart of the scholar that he is a person of high repute and he should make a show of his erudition. The person doesn’t realize that although he has titled the book as ‘Refutation of Satan’, but his real intent is to make a show of his erudition and achieve name and fame!”

In this way Satan tempts people to curse him and make them involuntarily utter ‘aaudhu billahi min ash-shaitanir rajeem’.

Politics of the imperialist forces

The imperialist regimes maintain their agents in their settlements who are their instruments for attainment of the imperialistic ends. At certain times, for the sake of their political compulsions, they instruct the agents to criticize and abuse them, their imperialistic masters! All this is done as a camouflage for their nefarious political reality.

How wonderful is Satan’s politics! He has the distinction of being the first politician ever! Satan can no doubt be called the mentor and leader of politicians of all times. Politics, in other words, means working behind the backs of the people. Satan, in this way, fools everyone and doesn’t leave behind any footprints. The evil acts are committed by people at Satan’s provocation, but they never realize that he is behind their actions!

Isti’adha is for escape from sins

“O Allah! Give us courage to keep away from Satan, prevent ourselves from sinning and avoid committing crimes.” This Isti’adha with Allah (S.w.T.) keeps us away from sins and reins our tongues from abusive and harmful talk. Instead of using abusive language in anger, we should rather say audhu billa at such times of provocation! It is always advisable to seek Allah (S.w.T.)’s protection and help against the machinations of Satan. In other words, the meaning of audhu billah is:

audhu bi ta’a-at illah min ta’-at ish-shaitan

I seek refuge in the obedience to Allah (S.w.T.) from the obedience to Satan

Keeping the hand in the tiger’s mouth and trying to escape from it with one’s feet

If a person keeps his hands in the mouth of a tiger and cries that he is very scared of the tiger and seeks the safety of an invincible fort to save himself from the animal attacking him! This is like the person who keeps crying for protection from Satan but is, in fact, submissive to and under his evil spell.

As long as a person uses foul language, he is the follower and slave of Satan. In this condition his cursing Satan will be a stark lie. One should seek Allah (S.w.T.)’s forgiveness (istighfar) for the Isti’adha that he had done hypocritically!

The Isti’adha of a foul-mouthed person, in the eyes of Gnostics (‘Urafa) is tantamount to saying audhubish-shaitan, because he sometimes says audhu and at others la hawla..., but his actions prove his falsehood.

If a tiger is chasing you, you will try to run into a fortified place of safety rather than going near it and putting your hands into its mouth and keep shouting for help. Similar is the reality of Isti’adha. It is seeking Allah (S.w.T.)’s succor against Satan in His strong fortification!

A true dream and Satan’s treachery

A disciple of Shaikh Ansari has said that when he was studying under him, one night he saw the accursed Satan in a dream. Satan was carrying some bridles in his hand. He asked Satan, “why are you holding these bridles in your hand?’ He replied, “I put them in the necks of people and drag them! Yesterday I put a bridle around the neck of one Shaikh Murtada Ansari and dragged him out of his house into the lane. But he escaped from me from the middle of the lane and returned home!”

When he awoke in the morning, he went to the Shaikh and related to him the dream. The Shaikh said, “Satan has told you the truth. The accursed one did try to tempt me with his glib talk. In fact, at home we needed certain things and I had no money handy at the time. I thought that from the Sahm e Imam I had with me a copy of the Holy Qur’an. I thought that I would sell it and use the money for my need as a loan to be reimbursed later. I took the copy of the Qur’an and went into the lane. Whilst buying my needs a thought came to me why I was doing such a thing. I felt penitent, returned home and put back the copy of the Qur’an in its original place”.1

Some other persons have related the same incident in the following manner:

When the Shaikh’s disciple saw the bridles in the hands of Satan, he noticed that one of the bridles was very strong and thick. When he asked the accursed Satan the reason for his carrying the bridles, he replied that they were for putting around the necks of people and dragging them. The person also asked, “For what purpose is the stronger and thicker bridle?” Satan replied, “This is for your mentor, Shaikh Ansari. Yesterday I put it round his neck and dragged him into the bazār. But he managed to free himself and escaped.” The person asked, “Which one of the bridles is for me?” Satan replied, “For you there is no need of a bridle. You can become my victim only with my sweet talk!”

Note

1. This incidence is quoted from the biography of the Shaikh Ansari, ‘Seerat wa Shakhsiyat’ pages 88-89.

The Fifth 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)

The meaning should be manifested by the words

Isti’adha is one of the important one of the important aspects of the faith and is obligatory on every Muslim. As already been mentioned, earlier, it should be from the depths of the heart of the person and not just the repetition of the words through the mouth. Qur’an wants people to-fastaidh billah- seek Allah (S.w.T.)’s protection. This means that the words should not be repeated as a force of habit like the parrots. The reality requires one to seek freedom from the accursed Satan and submit to Allah (S.w.T.) for His help. If these two objectives are achieved, then the Isti’adha is really Isti’adha! Otherwise it will just be an exercise in futility. In a nutshell, when the words of the Isti’adha are uttered, it should be in the true spirit required of him.

When we consider carefully the spirit of Isti’adha, we find that it has five well-defined aspects:

1. Taqwa or piety.

2. Tadhakkur or remembrance of Allah (S.w.T.).

3. Tawakkul or trust in Allah (S.w.T.).

4. Ikhlas or sincerity.

5. Aajizi or humility towards Allah (S.w.T.).

When a person practices all these five aspects, his Isti’adha will be accepted by Allah (S.w.T.). Then the accursed Satan will remain a long distance away from the person whether he says audhu billahi min ash-shaitanir rajeem or not. In other words, when Satan comes to a mu’min he becomes scared of man as an ordinary human being gets scared of the company of Jinns.

Satan runs away from the men of piety

The examples of aspects of Isti’adha are briefly explained from the Holy Qur’an.

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 are forthright. (Sura al-A’raaf, 7:201)

When the men of piety have any fear from Satan, then they busy themselves in prayer and they instantaneously get enlightened.

Therefore, the very first condition for keeping oneself safe from form Satan is to become pious. Those who adopted piety, busy themselves in prayer whenever they fears of Satan in their hearts. They get enlightened that Satan created the fears. They also realize that Satan had fled because of their prayer and that they are in the protection of Allah (S.w.T.). The ayat mentioned above is a pointer to the believers towards adoption of piety and remembrance of Allah (S.w.T.).

Need for trust on Allah (S.w.T.)

Allah (S.w.T.) says in the Holy Qur’an:

فَإِذَا قَرَأْتَ الْقُرْآنَ فَاسْتَعِذْ بِاللّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ لَهُ سُلْطَانٌ عَلَى الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ وَعَلَى رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ

So when you recite the Qur’an, seek refuge with Allah from the accursed Shaitan, Surely he has no authority over those who believe and rely on their Lord. (Sura an‑Nahl, 16:98-99)

One who has trust in Allah (S.w.T.), Shaitan will have no control on him. Satan can influence only those who don’t trust on Allah (S.w.T.) and all their confidence is on material and worldly aspects of their lives. If the same person has trust on Allah (S.w.T.), then Satan becomes helpless in his maneuvers.

When a person doesn’t trust Allah (S.w.T.) from the depths of his heart, then all his pleadings for protection will be of no avail. According to the verse quoted above, Satan would gain ascendance over him. In the later verse of the Qur’an there is a reference towards this aspect:

إِنَّمَا سُلْطَانُهُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ يَتَوَلَّوْنَهُ وَالَّذِينَ هُم بِهِ مُشْرِكُونَ

Verily, his authority is only over those who befriend him and those who associate others with Him. (Sura an-Nahl, 16:100)

One who has forgotten the Munificent Allah (S.w.T.) and befriended Satan, he has no concern for Isti’adha or seeking protection from Satan.

Satan has nothing to do with the sincere people

Another important aspect of Isti’adha is sincerity. This saying of Satan is recorded in the Holy Qur’an:

قَالَ فَبِعِزَّتِكَ لَأُغْوِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ

إِلَّا عِبَادَكَ مِنْهُمُ الْمُخْلَصِينَ

He said: Then by Thy Might I will surely make them live an evil life, all, Except Thy servants from among them, the purified ones. (Sura Sad, 38:82-83)

The purport of sincerity (Ikhlas) has been explained at various places in the Holy Qur’an. As the need arose, we have referred to this aspect in our talk and there is further need to stress on this aspect.

Thus it is established that the Isti’adha of only the persons sincere to Allah (S.w.T.) is appropriate. Since Satan has no influence on such persons they are those who escape from his machinations.

Do we have the capability of Piety (Taqwa) and Remembrance (Tadhakkur) of Allah (S.w.T.)?

After living long years we have not drawn any benefit from knowledge of the Faith. May Allah (S.w.T.) protect us from compounded ignorance (Jahl al-Murakkab). We have earlier said that the first aspect of Isti’adha is Taqwa or piety. One who has not adopted taqwa, will not be able to escape from Satan. Only with piety one can keep out of the clutches of Satan.

A woman who can come to the bazār wearing indecent dress is satanic from head to toe! And the man who chaperons such a woman in public can never escape from the attention of Satan.

It goes to prove that one who doesn’t save himself from what is forbidden (haram) can never prevent himself from the influence of Satan.

If a person dwells in a usurped house, he cannot escape from Satan unless he quits the occupation of that house. If a person is in habit of doing prohibited things, he cannot do Isti’adha.

Illegitimate sustenance is the biggest impediment in the way of Isti’adha

The important aspects of Isti’adha are absolute piety and total abstinence from prohibited things. Having prohibited (Haram) food renders the entire body of the person satanic. He becomes attached to Satan because Satan’s blood flows in the veins of the person.

The tongue with which such a person says audhu billahi min ash-shaitanir rajeem, is in fact, the tongue of Satan. The reason for this is that the person has drawn nutrition from satanic food.

Shahīd ath-Thani (The Second Martyr) writes in his ‘Asrar as-Salat’ that the Prophet (S) has said: “Allah (S.w.T.) sees your hearts and not your faces.”

This proves that mere talking and arguing might have some effect on people but for Allah (S.w.T.) nothing has any weight other than the absolute facts.

Therefore, about the sacrifices that we make in the way of Allah (S.w.T.), the Holy Book categorically says:

لَن يَنَالَ اللَّهَ لُحُومُهَا وَلَا دِمَاؤُهَا وَلَكِن يَنَالُهُ التَّقْوَى

There does not reach Allah their flesh nor their blood, but to Him is acceptable the guarding (against evil, Taqwa) on your part... (Sura al-Hajj, 22:37)

Until the last vestiges of Haram are not removed Isti’adha is not possible

As long as even one morsel of Haram food is in the body of a person, he is himself like Satan. Beating drums seeking protection from Satan is his hypocrisy. As long as he is not able to shake away the influence of Satan from his person, all his prayers are mere pretences.

About rizq al-halal (legitimate food) there are several traditions of Ahl al Bayt (a.s.). Rizq al-Halal is like a seed on which the quality of the plant will depend. Care must be exercised pure and good seed to ensure the health and sturdiness of the tree.

Allah (S.w.T.) says in the Holy Qur’an:

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ كُلُواْ مِمَّا فِي الأَرْضِ حَلاَلاً طَيِّباً وَلاَ تَتَّبِعُواْ خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ

O men! Eat the lawful and good things out of what is in the earth, and do not follow the footsteps of the Shaitan; surely he is your open enemy. (Sura al-Baqara, 2:168)

Abstain from doubtful food

When one has doubt about the food being halal, he should rather abstain from eating it. Avoid using Haram food and clothes. The use of these will have such deleterious effect on the person that he becomes the victim of fears and doubts.

The Sixth 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)

A summary of the discussions of the previous evenings is that the main purpose is to escape from the clutches of Satan and attain the protection of Allah (S.w.T.). The main plank for achieving this is taqwa or piety. Abstention from Satan is possible when a person implicitly follows the mandated practices and avoids Haram acts. If the person is careless about these things, then escape from Satan is impossible. His example will be like that of a person who is willfully combating with a wild animal but keeps crying that he wished to escape from its clutches.

Keep reiterating - ’audhu billahi min ash-shaitanir rajeem, “I seek refuge with Allah from the cursed satan”, but if you are unaware of the aspects of Isti’adha, and therefore are not complying with them, then the entire exercise will be futile.

Innal ladhina-ttaqu (Surely those who are God-conscious): The people who are in the process of escaping from sinful acts, and Satan tries to overwhelm them, they instantaneously busy themselves in the remembrance of Allah (S.w.T.). With the felicity (baraka) of this act, the curtains of thoughtlessness are raised from their eyes and they comprehend the evil schemes of Satan very clearly. Thus they are able to save themselves from the evil bait of Satan.

It is only the persons of piety who are able to save themselves from the effects of Satan. Otherwise, the evil influence of Satan is always around!

We have mentioned that piety is a very important tool concerning our food habits. Our food, or nutrition, is like the seed of plants. The type of food one takes nourishes good or satanic tendencies in a person. If the seed is satanic, then the body acquires evil tendencies. If a Haram morsel goes down the throat, then the control over the body will come into the hands of Satan. Till the time that morsel remains in the body, Satan too will occupy it.

It is mentioned in the traditions that eating one Haram morsel of food, the effects will remain in the body for forty days and, during this period, the prayers of the person may not be answered.

We are helpless and powerless

If someone gives a serious thought to the facts he would cry out (the verse of the Qur’an), “Amman yujeebul mudtarra… - Who is there to answer the distressed…” The foods we consume take us to darkness. There is no light in them that can give nourishment to our spirits. Our tongues too are influenced by these foods that we utter falsehoods and abusive language. We indulge in misguiding games and play. Backbiting has become our habit. All our limbs and organs have been exposed to the effects of Haram and unsavory (makrūh) foods. The body has therefore become insensitive to the instinct of remembrance of Allah (S.w.T.). The limbs and organs have thus turned into the playthings of Satan.

The purity or otherwise of food

One type of Haram food is najis (impure) food. If impure food goes down the throat, Satan will transmit his effect throughout the body.

Even babes in arms should not be fed with najis food. One should not think that a child is innocent and free from the incidence of the rules of Shari’ah. Remember, the adults are bound with the requirements of the Shari’ah and it is their duty to take care to nourish their children with pure food. When a child is brought up on najis food, he will develop negative and un-Islamic tendencies as he grows up. It is to be borne in minds that only animals can take Najis food.

The occasion when one is required to abstain even from Halal food is when he is fully sated and can eat no more at that moment. Over-eating is a prohibited and a satanic trait.

Identify the Haram morsel of food

A thing that comes to you in an illegitimate manner is Haram or prohibited. If one acquires bread by cheating someone or he has usurped it from someone, or has bought it from the proceeds of usury, or has consumed without the knowledge or permission of the rightful owner, then he has contravened the rules of Shari’ah. This is a Haram act.

The next in line of impure foods is the ‘murdaar’ or the meat of an animal that has not been slaughtered properly as required by the Shari’ah. This applies also to those animals eating of whose meat is permissible in the Islamic Shari’ah. For example, if a person, while slaughtering an animal, doesn’t intentionally say the words Bismillah before putting the knife to the throat of the animal, eating of such meat is prohibited. Allah (S.w.T.) says in the Holy Qur’an,

وَلاَ تَأْكُلُواْ مِمَّا لَمْ يُذْكَرِ اسْمُ اللّهِ عَلَيْهِ

Don’t eat that thing on which Allah (S.w.T.)’s name has not been uttered. (Sura al-An’aam, 6:121)

Therefore if a halal animal is slaughtered without saying Bismillah, consumption of such meat is forbidden.

Sayyid Tawus has recommended application of this verse to all foods, although the verse pertains only to animal foods. Sayyid Tawus says,” All the eatables that are prepared without taking the name of Allah (S.w.T.) before commencing the preparation, I don’t partake of! How can a mu’min eat the bread that has been cooked by the baker without taking the name of Allah (S.w.T.).”

The baker’s oven and the satanic tune

Times have changed in a funny way. If Sayyid Tawus was living today, he would recall the days when the baker would come to the oven and recite the Hadith al-Kisa and offer prayer before commencing his work.

Today the bread is baked listening to blaring music! They cook the bread accompanied by satanic music. We consume those morsels infused with satanic temperament!

The Seventh 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)

Be Satan’s antagonist

We have said that till a person doesn’t maintain a distance from Satan, the true spirit of Isti’adha will not manifest in him. The person who indulges in sinning is Satan’s subordinate. Allah (S.w.T.) says:

إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ فَاتَّخِذُوهُ عَدُوًّا

Surely the Shaitan is your enemy, so take him for an enemy.. (Sura al-Fatir, 35:6)

He is your enemy from the beginning. You too should reciprocate with enmity. Don’t befriend him. But if you commit sins, it will be obedience to your enemy, Satan. And obedience is a component of friendship. Always beware that your treacherous enemy is keeping an eye on you. No man is safe from him for a single moment. If you think that you are safe from him, it is nothing but complaisance.

Does Satan sleep?

Someone asked a pious scholar whether it is mentioned in any traditions about Satan sleeping and taking rest. The learned scholar smiled and gave a very interesting reply, “If that accursed creature ever slept, I would have some respite!”

When you sleep, the accursed Satan is fully awake. He never sleeps. He always guards over men and looks for opportunities to bring harm them.

إِنَّهُ يَرَاكُمْ هُوَ وَقَبِيلُهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لاَ تَرَوْنَهُمْ

He, and his retainers, watch over you from such a place that they can see you and you can’t see them. (Sura al‑A’raaf, 7:27)

You must remain fortified

What shall men do, then? When the enemy is so powerful and stealthy and can attack through hidden means, it becomes our duty to become fully armed and fortified against Satan. When the enemy is looking for your slightest fault or negligence, then you too must guard against him fully armed. The ammunition for men against Satan is taqwa or piety. Adopt piety to meet the onslaughts of Iblis!

Mu’min’s arms: mustahabat (non mandatory) prayers and tark al-makruhat, or abstinence from undesiderable acts

Offering non-obligatory prayers, to the best of one’s physical capabilities, is very effective for warding off the enemy, Satan. Similarly, abstaining from doing or using things, although permissible but not desirable, is very useful. Tark al-Ghaflah or Avoidance of Carelessness too might help.

The more a person is careless of the enemy, Satan, the more he will have the propensity to commit sins. With carelessness one might find himself dangerously near the mouth of a serpent. Despite all the friendship and nearness with Satan, the person will not get any support from him when the time for retribution (mukafaat) comes. At that moment Satan will turn away his face as if he never knew the person.

Satan intensifies his attacks in stages

The initial attempts of Satan will be to tempt the mu’min to commit unsavory things (makrūhāt). Then he will open the way of the minor sins (dhunub as-saghira) to the person.

He puts into the mind of the person that the sins he was committing were very trivial and thus encourages him to inadvertently commit major sins (dhunub al-kabira).

The man himself thinks that he was committing minor sins, which thought is itself a major sin1 .

Satan them persuades the person to commit major sins as a habit. In this way he overwhelms the heart and the spirit of the person. He attacks the mu’min’s faith and puts him in severe doubts and fears. Thus Satan makes him his helpless prey. He doesn’t keep the person capable of comprehending that he is the victim of Satan’s plot.

Only the people of taqwa (piety), with their effective defenses, can save themselves from the maneuvers of Satan. The poor ignorant person cannot meet the onslaught of Satan.

Wudhu or ablution, the sharp instrument of defence of a Mu’min

Of several non-obligatory things that can come to the aid of a mu’min is to always maintain the state of wudhu. The Prophet (S) says, “Al-wudhu silaah al-mu’min!” (Wudhu is the weapon of a mu’min!)

It is the duty of a mu’min to confront the satans that he is in mortal combat with them. Therefore he must always be clean and with valid wudhu.

A person should always be with wudhu, and if some time has passed after performing the ablution, he should renew it as a measure of carefulness that it might have gone void without the person noticing it. It is said, “Al-wudhu nūr wal wudhu ‘alal wudhu nūrun ‘ala nūr” (Wudhu is a light and performing a wudhu over another is light upon light!). This is the light that dispels the darkness created by Satan in the hearts of the persons.

Fasting and charity break the backbone of Satan

In the armory of a mu’min there are certain arms about which the Prophet (S) has made a particular mention. He (S) said:

“Fasts of a mu’min blacken the face of Satan. Sadaqa or charity breaks the backbone of Satan. Istighfar - entreaty with Allah for mercy - will cut Satan’s vein of life, and love of Allah and good deeds of the person uproot Satan.”2

When you fast the face of Satan, your enemy, will be blackened. If the curtains are raised from your eyes, you will notice that Satan’s face has turned black on account of your fasts.

But Satan is not so weak and emaciated that only by fasting you get his face blackened and with a strike of charity you shatter his backbone. You have to perform every action with absolute sincerity that they pass through the seven curtains and break Satan’s backbone and destroy him.

Now let us talk about Sadaqa or charity. According to what the Prophet (S) has said, it does break the backbone of Satan. But there is a condition that your charity should be acceptable to Allah (S.w.T.).

I have seen Satan’s mother

It is narrated in Anwār Jazairi that once during an acute famine a preacher was speaking from the pulpit in a mosque. He said, “If someone wants to give sadaqa, seventy satans cling to his hand and try to prevent him from doing the good turn.” One mu’min who was seated very near the foot of the pulpit told to his friends with surprise, “What has Satan to do with sadaqa? I have some wheat at home. I shall go home just now and bring it to the mosque to give away in charity. I shall see how the satans prevent me from doing it!”

The man got up and went home. On reaching home, when his wife became aware of his intention, she shouted at him, “In these days of acute famine you have no care of your wife and children! Perhaps the famine conditions might prolong and we might all die of starvation because of shortage of wheat.” Therefore, getting engulfed with doubts the mu’min returned to the mosque empty handed.

The friends asked him, “What has happened. You have returned from home without the wheat? Alas! The seventy satans had clung to your hands and prevented you from doing the sadaqa.” The man said, “I didn’t see the satans, but definitely I have seen their mother who came in the way of my doing the good deed!”

This proves that man tries to take cudgels with Satan but many a time his wife or others distract him from the good turn.

Sadaqa is also not giving a few coins reluctantly because:

لَن تَنَالُواْ الْبِرَّ حَتَّى تُنفِقُواْ مِمَّا تُحِبُّونَ

By no means shall you attain to righteousness until you spend (benevolently in the way of your Lord) out of what you love. (Sura Aal Imran, 3:92)

What is your financial position? If you are really affluent, Satan’s backbone will not break unless you do a sizeable charity. There will be another condition attached to your charity that you should not brag about it to the beneficiary nor to other friends. Belittling the person who has received your help by reminding of your good deed can render your sadaqa null and void.

Penitence: another weapon in the hands of a Mu’min

Satan makes all his possible efforts to put man in the morass of sin. But if the man expresses penitence at that time from the depths of his heart, Satan’s heart would then shatter into smithereens with disappointment.

But the enemy is very cunning. He strives hard to see that the person fails to reach the threshold of penitence and forgiveness. Satan now infuses an inspiration into the heart of his subject, “What has happened? What big sin you have committed that you are so ashamed! Don’t you notice around you that others are committing bigger sins and happily living! You are still young. Even if penitence is necessary, you can do that when you are old. At that time penitence will be ideal that you will be weak and sickly and you may not have strength to break your resolve of penitence. This is the time of your youth. How do you expect to keep your promise of abstinence after expressing penitence?”

Two more powerful weapons to defeat Satan

Two more weapons that, according to the Prophet of Allah (S.w.T.) (S), are most effective in defeating Satan are: Sincere obedience of Allah (S.w.T.) and steadfastness in doing good deeds.

It is a Jihad al-Akbar when a person, just for the sake of Allah (S.w.T.) and His friendship, ignores his personal profits and gains. This is better than the Jihad fought with the infidels because this is confrontation with Nafs al-Ammara or the vile personal instincts. If one fails in this Jihad, he may not succeed in the other! The cause of the defeat will definitely be the instigation and temptation by Satan. In this defeat the person will not only die but also be given retribution in the Hereafter.

Imam as-Sajjad (a.s.) says in one of his supplications:

“O Allah (S.w.T.)! I seek you protection from my enemy! O Master of the House! The ferocious dog is attacking me. Come to my rescue and save me from the harm that it can cause to me!”

Iblīs bites the foot of Imam as-Sajjad (a.s.)

In “Madinat al-Muajiz” it is said that Imam as-Sajjad (a.s.) was busy one day in his prayer. Iblīs wanted to cause disturbance to the Imam’s concentration. He ordered one of his retainers to disrupt the Imam’s concentration by causing him bodily harm. The narrator says that the accursed satan came to the Imam in the shape of a big python.

We have already mentioned earlier that satans have the faculty to appear in any shape and form they wish to.

Anyway, he went near the Imam (a.s.) who was fully absorbed in his prayer. The accursed creature bit one of the toes of the Imam (a.s.). But the pain of the bite was not felt by the Imam (a.s.) nor was his concentration disturbed an iota. At that moment a loud sound of Allah (S.w.T.)’s anger was heard and the accursed creature was punished. Then the herald said, “Anta Zayn al-’Abidin – indeed, you are the adornment of the worshippers!”

Warn People against Satanic Deceptions

O people of wisdom! Keep people informed of the machinations of Satan. The aberrations of peoples’ morals have already given some satisfaction to Satan. Don’t endorse his accursed wishes any further. Nahi ‘anil Munkar (abstinence from the prohibited) is obligatory on every believer. At least express abhorrence of the satanic actions. There is no precondition attached to doing this. It is the bounden duty of all of us to save ourselves from such a situation!

Those who witness some foul act of their friends and, instead of advising them to abstain from such acts, encourage and abet them in doing more such acts, then they too will be deemed partners in the commitment of the undesirable acts. It is observed that a person abstains from going to cinema theatres and clubs to avoid getting looked down upon in the society. But he does have a desire to visit such places.

This would mean that he is not afraid of Allah (S.w.T.) but fears his fellow men! Despite his abstinence from going to places of ill repute, he is committing a sin because of his evil desires.

Thinner than the hair and sharper than a sword

Beware of becoming the companions of Satan that he penetrates into your person. We might be carrying a hallucination that we are performing good deeds and, in actual fact, our actions are all at the instigation of Satan. This situation is so delicate that it is thinner than the hair and sharper than the sword.

According to Hajji Noori some people die with the false pride that they are the friends of Imam ‘Ali (a.s.) and think that by making such claims they will earn a place in the Heaven.

If they are true friends of Imam ‘Ali (a.s.) then they would implicitly comply with all the commandments of the Faith. It is quite possible, if they are making empty claims of friendship with Imam ‘Ali (a.s.), they are acting on the instigation of the accursed Satan!

Beware O hapless Muslims! Your faith is in danger! If Satan puts you in doubts at the time of your death, what would happen to you? In your own false pride you claim to be Imam ‘Ali (a.s.)’s friend!

Where are you heading? In whose obedience you are indulging? If that is Satan, then he is your friend and guide. The friendship of ‘Ali (a.s.) too might be there in your heart. But let it not be dominated by other evil influences! Confess whether you value your worldly desires more than the love of Imam ‘Ali (a.s.)! If your concern is fulfillment of worldly desires, are you not concerned for the Hereafter?

The Hereafter depends on the worldly desires

The hearts have been conquered by satans. Who is worried about the Hereafter? When people go to the Majlis of Hadrat Abul Fadl al-Abbas, they seek his intercession for the fulfillment of their worldly desires. If their wishes were fulfilled without the intercession, they might not have gone to the majlis!

Has it ever happened that you have sought intercession that your end comes with love of ‘Ali (a.s.) in your hearts and you don’t become the victims of Satan at the time of death!

A difference of three hundred thousands years

It has been narrated in the traditions that some of the friends of Hadrat (a.s.) will reach him after three hundred thousand years of retribution.

This is true because your heart is for Imam ‘Ali (a.s.) in a thousand ways! But before reaching the presence of the Imam (a.s.) the curtains have to be raised. First, the traces of love for others have to be removed before one could get access to ‘Ali (a.s.) “O Amīr al-Mu’minīn! You must yourself show kindness to your friends!”

We should hope that we die with the love for ‘Ali (a.s.) in the depths of our hearts and Allah (S.w.T.)’s Beneficence is on us!

Notes

1. The books wirtten by Ayatullah Dastaghaib, Dhunub al-Kabira (The Greatest Sins) and Qalb as-Saleem (The Tranquil Heart) cover this subject at great length.

2. Safinat al-Bihar, vol 2, page 62