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Bismillaah!
Shaytaan & His Ways in Misleading
by Abu Iyaad
PART THREE
MEANS OF PROTECTION
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There are many ways by which the muslim can protect himself from Shaytaan. Amongst them are:
1. Knowledge
Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every male and muslim female. The most important type of knowledge is the knowledge of Allaah and His Tawheed. This is what a muslim learns first before anything else. The greater this knowledge is, the more fear a person has of Allaah and the less likely he is to disobey Allaah and follow Shaytaan. Allaah said:
Know, that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah (alone)
And He also said:
Only those amongst Allaah’s servants who have knowledge fear Him
And the Messenger of Allaah (sas) said: “I am the most-knowledgeable of Allaah amongst you and I fear Him the most.” So he (sas) made a direct link between knowledge of Allaah and the fear of Allaah.
The next type of knowledge which a muslim acquires is the knowledge of the acts of worship which Allaah has made obligatory upon him and what Allaah has asked him to refrain from. So he constantly acquires and acts upon this knowledge making his conduct thereby, wholesome and sound, beyond reproach. He also learns the manner in which worship is to be performed saving himself as a result of that, from falling into innovations and having his actions rejected.
Knowledge is a strong tool and it scares Shaytaan more than an ardent worshipper. A poet said:
And it (knowledge) is a mighty sword which does not swerve
You strike with it the vital parts of the one who attacks you
Knowledge is the building block of Eemaan (Faith) and Eemaan is a big barrier in the face of all of Shaytaan’s callings and whisperings. This is the first thing a muslim should attend to in order to protect himself.
Among the best of books to start with is ‘Fundamentals of Tawheed’ by Abu Ameenah Bilaal Phillips and ‘Taweed versus Shirk’ by Shaikh Muhammad al-Jibaaly.
2. Sincerity
Shaytaan has no mastery over those who are sincere and he himself has said:
By Your (Allaah’s) Power I will mislead them - all of them. Except your servants amongst them who are sincere and purified.
So striving to make all of ones efforts sincere and for the sake of Allaah alone also removes a person from susceptiblity to Shaytaan and his plans. Sincerity is also one of two pillars without which no action is acceptable to Allaah. And sincerity is: The sanctification of your speech and action from every blemish of the soul’s desire. For example, desiring your beautification in the hearts of people, desiring their praise so that they say ‘a scholar’, ‘what a brave man’ or ‘a doer of good’, running away from the criticism of the people (i.e. abandoning certain actions because people may criticise or become angry), seeking people’s magnification of yourself, their aid and assistance, the fulfilment of your needs or desiring other peoples wealth and possessions and other such things.
Among the best of books on sincerity and its reality is ‘Kitaabul-Ikhlaas’ (The Book of Sincerity) by Hussain al-Awaa’ishah, available in the English language.
3. Remembrance
The remembrance of Allaah puts one into the protection of Allaah and safeguards a person from Shaytaans whisperings. Allaah has commanded:
O you who believe! Bring Allaah to mind often with abundant remembrance
Many remembrances have been reported from the Messenger (sas) which he used to say in all moments and situations and it is necessary for a muslim to closely imitate the way of the Messenger (sas). Among the most useful of books on supplications is ‘Authentic Supplications of the Prophet’ by Waleed al-Essa available in the English language.
4. Seeking Refuge in Allaah
When someone finds that Shaytaan whispers evil suggestions to him he should immediately seek refuge in Allaah the Exalted by saying ‘A’oodho billaahi min as-Shaytaanir-Rajeem’ - I seek refuge in Allaah from Shaytaan the Rejected. Allaah the Exalted said:
And if a false imputation from the Shaytaan inflicts you, seek refuge in Allaah. Surely He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing
5. Reciting the prescribed portions of the Qur’aan
Reciting the following portions of the Qur’aan with knowledge of their meaning and firm conviction protect a person from the Shaytaan and have been reported authentically from the Messenger (sas)
Aayatul Kursi (The Verse of the Throne) Surah Baqarah 2:255
The last two verses of Surah Baqarah (2:285-286)
Reciting Surah Baqarah prevents the Shaytaan from entering the house.
The Mu’adhdhatain - the last two surahs of the Qur’aan. (113-114)
Pronouncing the Aadhaan is also repels Shaytaan and his handiwork. It makes him stick his fingers into his ears and flee on his heels.
6. Keeping good company
It is vital that the correct company is kept as Shaytaan will not fail to mislead you on account of the company you keep. The Messenger (sas) said: “The example of the good and bad company is that of a musk-seller and an iron-monger. Even if you do not buy from the musk-seller the fragrance will remain with you and even if your clothers do not get burnt by being in close proximity to the iron-monger the bad smell will remain with you.”The Messenger (sas) also said: “Do not be a companion except to a believer”.
And the poet spoke the truth when he said:
Choose among the people, one who will guide you
Indeed, by a friend does one guide himself
And accompanying the evil ones is blindess and a disease
t increases the sick heart in sickness
So if you are a follower of the Sunnah
Then avoid the evil companionship
So be zealous of keeping good company and remaining only with good muslims, those who fear Allaah much and strive to worship Him. If you do so, you will never be able to count the good you will acquire, and with Allaah lies all success.
So these are some of the means of protection from Shaytaan the Accursed, the one who caused our Parents to be expelled from Paradise and who has promised to mislead all of us by his treachery and deception. May Allaah protect us from him and his troops by making us of those who are sincere, remember Him often and turn to Him in repentance. InshaAllaah &Aameen.
All Praise is due to Allaah alone and Peace and Blessings upon the Messenger after whom there is no prophet.
Bibliography
1. The Qur’aan
2. Saheeh Bukhaaree
3. Saheeh Muslim
3. Al-Fawaa’id by Ibn al-Qayyim
4. Madaakhil ush-Shaytaan alas-Saaliheen by Abdullaah al-Khaatir
5. Madaarij us-Saalikeen by Ibn al-Qayyim
6. Ibn Taymiyyah’s Essay on the Jinn by Abu Ameenah Bilaal Phillips
Yaa Seen 36:60
i.e. Zafrullaah Khan - a Qadiani - in his translation of the Qur’an says they are merely the elite, professional people of this world who are hidden from the rest of society.
Dhaariyaat 51:56
Jinn 72:1
Jinn 72:6
Reported by Baihaqi and Tabarani
Kahf 18:110
Hijr 15:27
A’raaf 7:11-18
Taa Haa 20:123-126
Yaa Seen 36:60
Faatir 35:6
Hashr 59:16
Nisaa 4:76
It was one of the greatest concerns of the Messenger (sallallaahu-alaihi-wasallam) for his companions (radiallaahu-anhum) and of the companions for their successors (rahimahumullaahu) and of the great scholars for their flock (the general people) and in fact of the Salaf (Pious Predecessors) of this Ummah for its people, that their Eemaan (Faith/Belief) was correct and firm, that they were in possession of and were acting upon that type of knowledge the acquisition of which is an obligation upon every single muslim, male and female; that they were practising those things which Allaah had obligated upon them and refrained from those things that Allaah had forbidden them, that they remained upon this path not deviating from it in terms of belief or action, while constantly striving to increase their Eemaan and correct actions, and as a result of all this, that they became protected from the Fire and increased their chance of entry into Paradise. Every directive, command, advice or suggestion always had this concern underlying it. There is no need to cite examples as they are vast, numerous and easily accessible for the one who is need of them. And this is where the honour lies. Not in material success but in the sincere and correct worship of Allaah Azzawajall, in enslavement to Him alone and absolute obedience to his Messenger (sallallaahu-alaihi-wasallam)
{And to Allaah belongs all Honour} [Munaafiqoon 63:8]
It was precisely on account of this that the Ummah was blessed with things such as material success, great advancement and authority in the land, for as long as Allaah willed, and not due to anything else. Allaah only gives increase to this Ummah on account of its being grateful to Allaah and its being grateful to Allaah is not achieved except by worshipping Him in the precise manner requested by Him in what He has sent down for us as Guidance.
If you are grateful I will give you increase Ibraheem 14:7]
Increase in sustenance, wealth, resources and other such things of benefit and blessing.
Furthermore this great blessing of success was not taken away except by the deviation of the muslims from the clear and straight path, in terms of belief and action, and thus the disbelievers were allowed, by Allaah’s permission and design, to gain mastery in the land and to take from us our nobility, strength, resources and knowledge. It is not correct that our present condition is due to the weakness of the muslims and their lack of technology and resources. That is a symptom not a cause and the wise doctor’s concern is to remove the cause.
The Messenger (sallallaahu-alaihi-wasallam) said:
“When you deal in Eenah transaction, take hold of the tails of cows, content yourself with agriculture and abandon Jihaad; Allaah will cover you with humiliation and will not lift this humiliation, until you return to your Deen” [Saheeh-Related by Abu Daawood (n.3426) and Bayhaqee in his Sunan (5/316)]
He (sallallaahu-alaihi-wasallam) also said:
“...And never do the people break the covenant of Allaah and His Messenger except that he gives their enemies mastery and control over them so they take some of what they used to possess” [Saheeh-Related by Ibn Maajah in his Sunan]
Humiliation is what we find ourselves in, from whatever aspect we look at; oppression, wealth, knowledge, technology, resources etc. And this will never be raised until we fulfil our covenant (that is to unify all worship and direct it to Allaah alone, to imitate the Messenger (sallallaahu-alaihi-wasallam)) and return to our straight and upright Deen, the religion of Ibraheem:
Say: Indeed My Lord (Rabb) has guided me to the Straight Path, the upright and true Deen, the religion of Ibraheem, the Haneef (firm and true in Allaah’s worship and in His Obedience) and he was not of the Mushrikeen. Say: Verily, my prayer, my sacrifice, my life and my death are all for Allaah the Rabb of all the worlds. He has no partner (equal). With that I have been commanded and I am the first of those who submit
[An’aam 6:161-163]
This is what we need and this indeed should be our concern. In fact, that the people achieve such a position (of knowledge and action), as mentioned in the above verse, first, is of the highest priority as their need for success in the Hereafter is greater than their need for success in this world. Success in this life does not guarantee success in the next.
Thus any moves for reform, correction and betterment of this Ummah should be unrestrictedly tied to and utterly dependant upon this concern and this concern should be the overgarment and undergarment of all the arrangements and solutions that are proposed.This is what is correct, best, in the real interests of the people (i.e. entry into Paradise and safety from the Fire) and most noble.
Nahl 16:112
Reported by Bukhaaree
Aali Imraan 3:103
Fee Wajhit-Toofaan of Muhammad Abdul Hameed Ahmad p.20
Ibn al-Jawzee in Sifat us-Safwah (2/278-279)
Reported by Bukhaaree
Yoosuf 12:103
Maa’idah 5:100
Reported by Abu Nu’aym in Hilyatul-Awliyaa
Aali Imraan 3:175
Baqarah 2:267
Talaq 65:2-3
Ibraheem 14:22
Muhammad 47:19
Faatir 35:28
Reported by Bukhaaree
Saad 38:82-83
Ahzaab 33:41
A’raaf 7:200
Reported by Bukhaaree
Reported by Abu Dawood
May Allaah SWT guide us all to understand and act on them all, InshaAllah & Aameen!
:wasalamex
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