The Warning about Shaytaan and an Explanation of his Plans
Shaykh Husayn al-Awaa'ishah hafidhahullaah
From 'The Book of Sincerity'
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Since the matter reaches the level of danger and seriousness that it has there is no doubt that being rescued from riyaa' and those things which nullify actions will make the truthful muslim concerned. The first thing which requires caution and alertness is knowing the causes of this very dangerous disease.
Know that your enemy, the Shaytaan and his troops will not stop at trying to bring about the cause of the destruction of your actions and seducing you into riyaa'. Look at the warning about the plan of Shaytaan which has come in the Book and the Sunnah as it is the best healing for the worst disease.
Allaah the Exalted said:
Indeed Shaytaan is to you an enemy, so take him as an enemy.[1]
He the Sublime also said:
Shaytaan threatens you with poverty and commands you with evil and obscene deeds.[2]
The Sublime also said:
Indeed, Shaytaan is an open and manifest enemy to mankind. [3]
The Exalted also said:
If any does follow the footsteps of Shaytaan he will but command the evil and obscene.[4]
The Exalted also said:
Shaytaan has made their actions alluring to them and has prevented them from the path.[5]
The Messenger of Allaah said: "Shaytaan is present with one of you in all of his affairs until he is present with him while he takes his food. When one of you drops a morsel let him pick it up, remove whatever remains on it and then eat it. Let him not leave it for the Shaytaan and when he he departs (from his food) let him lick his fingers as he does not know in which part of his food the blessing lies." [6]
In this is evidence that Shaytaan is present with you in all of your affairs. He is present in order to corrupt the intention, speech or action. If your intention is good he will direct you to an action which has not been legislated so that you engage upon it with this good intention. If your action is good he will spoil and ruin your intention. If your intention is good he will corrupt the way you speak with others so that enmity and hatred develops between you and them. He will try to achieve that with whatever ability he has over it.
The Messenger (sas) said: "There is none amongst you except that there has been appointed to him a qareen (companion) from among the Jinn and a qareen from the Angels." They said: And you also? He said: "And me also except that Allaah has aided me against him and so he has submitted. He does not command me except with good." [7]
He (sas) also said: "There is none amongst you except that with him is a shaytaan." They said: And you also O Messenger? He said: Yes, except that Allaah has aided me against him so he has submitted." [8]
He (sas) also said: "Iblees has placed his throne above the water (sea) and then he sends his detachments. The closest of them to him are those who cause the greatest trial. One of them comes back to him and says: I did such and such. Shaytaan replies: You have not done anything. Then another comes to him and says: I did not leave him alone until I caused division between him and his wife." He (sas) said: So Shaytaan brings him closer to himself and says: You did well." [9]
He (sas) also said: "Indeed Shaytaan flows in the son of Aadam like the blood."[10]
Be cautious, therefore, of this despised and accursed enemy and know that he does not take a rest as the Messenger (sas) has said: "Take a nap / siesta as Shaytaan does not take a rest." [11]
Shaytaan is not able to get to you if you seek help from Allaah against him and carefully observe Allaah in all your actions whether small or large.
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FOOTNOTES:
Soorah Faatir 35:6
Soorah Baqarah 2:267
Soorah Yoosuf 12:5
Soorah Noor 24:21
Soorah Naml 27:24
Reported by Muslim
Shaikh al-Akbaanee declared it Saheeh in Saheeh ul-Jaami', no 5676.
Shaikh al-Akbaanee declared it Saheeh in Saheeh ul-Jaami', no.5677.
Reported by Muslim
Reported by Bukhaaree, Muslim and others.
Reported by at-Tabaraanee in Al-Awsat and Abu Naeem in at-Tibb. Shaikh Al-Albaanee declared it Hasan in Saheeh ul Jaami', no. 4307.