Avoid the Temptation
by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (rahmatullah alayh)
‘I recall from my childhood days, someone saying :“...For temptation will lead you into trouble and make you cry.” - And indeed this is exactly what happens when one gives into the temptation to engage in any Haraam. …Ask those who have given into the demands of nafs and shaytaan, about the repercussions of their sins.
…They will say: Trouble, trouble and more trouble. Tears, tears and more tears.
Temptations will always be there. If there was no temptation, then there would have been no such thing as Taqwa. The demand is to resist, to stay away, to abstain. Not to do sins is so much easier than ‘doing’ sins.’
Haraam Attractions and Distractions
In an accident, or due to a slip or fall, if the joint of the shoulder or leg is dislocated, traction is normally the means adopted in the healing process.
The sinful, immoral attractions and distractions which form the entertainment of those who have forgotten Allah Ta’ala are such, that they dislocate the joints of Imaan.
…The traction for indulgence in sins is sincere taubah (sincere repentance), distancing oneself from sins and from venues of sins; together with attending good, Deeni programmes and associating with the pious.
…There are so many, so many, who have gone towards some Haraam (forbidden) attraction, never to return therefrom : So many have lost their identity as Muslims, and sometimes they have even lost their Imaan and suffer the loss of their Aakhirah.
Thousands have died engaging in Haraam entertainment; whether at the casinos, discos, raves, prostitute quarters, massage parlours, in adultery, etc.
One earthquake, one tsunami, one gale-force wind, one fire, and death comes upon thousands – many of whom are also engaged in sins. What guarantee do we have that we won’t be singled out this holiday, for our return to Allah Ta’ala?
So think…
And think again!
What would be the condition of that person who comes face to face with the Angel of Death whilst engaged in gambling, drink, dance, raves, adultery or fornication? …Which Muslim wants to return to Allah Ta’ala in a state of sin?
Such matters should not be taken lightly. (Allah Ta’ala protect us all.)
This holiday period is a time of great test and trial : Invitation to sins, promotion of sins, temptation to sins, enticement and encouragement towards all kinds of Haraam is the order of the day.
Beach partying, intermingling and courting, immodest dress, loud music and dance, smoking and drinking and drug-taking then become even the programme and timetable for many Muslims. …Salaah becomes a forgotten duty for holiday-makers. The Islamic dress and identity are discarded so that there is freedom to engage in more sinful activities.
Shaytaan’s trump card to Haraam entertainment is even held up by Muslims, who also invite to Haraam just as the non-Muslims do. …Inna Lillahiwa-innailayhira`ji-oon.
Is this what we were created for?
Allah Ta’ala asks, “Did you think that We created you for nothing, and that you will not be brought back to Us?”
[Surah Mu`minoon23 : 115]
The shocking behaviour of our Muslim youth (and even many Muslim adults) leaves us numb, disturbed, distressed and deeply, deeply grieved … What shocks does the heart have to contend with.
The Muslim youth are supposed to be tomorrow’s leaders for the Ummah, are expected to be the representatives of Deen, inviting the non-Muslims to Islam, with the modesty and purity of thought, speech, dress and actions which should be characteristic of every Muslim.
Deen and Shariah do not stifle us, do not deprive us of pleasure and enjoyment, do not deny us happiness and celebration. Deen and Shariah accommodate leisure and pleasure. Islam is beautiful. Most beautiful. Islam is not ‘dry’. It is enjoyable. …Allah Ta’ala has only placed certain boundaries through His Divine prohibitions for our own benefit, safety and well-being.
So let us make the effort and avoid the temptations towards sins. Let us not walk the route towards sins. Let us keep clear of the venues of sins like how we would if we had fore-knowledge that there will be an earthquake, tsunami or bomb-blast devastating such places. …We fear for our lives. The greater need is to fear for our Imaan and that of our children’s Imaan.
Let us not forget that we are Muslims.
Let us not forget our relationship with Allah Ta’ala.
Let us not forget that death can visit very unexpectedly.
Let us not forget that there is accountability.
Let us not forget Jannat.
Let us not forget Jahannum.
This world is a prison for the Believer and a paradise for the disbeliever. … What will be ‘good’ for the disbelievers will not be good for the Believers. If they find enjoyment in Haraam, the Muslim will find HARM in that same Haraam.
Every person is given the choice. A person either makes a wise decision or an unwise decision.
If we adopt Taqwa, we restrain and abstain from disobedience to Allah Ta’ala, then when we leave this world, we leave behind a prison. When we leave this world, we leave free. When the disbeliever leaves this world, he leaves behind his paradise. When he leaves this world, he enters a prison; wherein there is no release, no bail, no escape and no parole.
This worldly life is short. Very short. Understand the reality :Every passing second is delivering us closer and closer to the bridge of death. And there is no choice. We have to cross that bridge.
My Shaykh, Hazrat Maulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (DB) says in poetry:
“Strange is the visa of life;
It can be cancelled at any time.
The duration of its validity is unknown
And its extension too, impossible.
Time is running out.
The journey is long. The life after this is eternal. There is no return to this world.
…What preparation have you made? What provision have you procured?
Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhiwaSallam) said : “The intelligent one is he who suppresses his desires and practises for what is after death, and the foolish one is he who makes his nafs follow its desires and (he) places (baseless) hope on Allah.”
Imam Shafi (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) summed up this life very simply and aptly: “This worldly life is a just a moment; let it be a moment of obedience.”
In the Shariah there is no concept of a ‘holiday’ as such, a recent episode of Cii Radio’s Ulama In Focus heard.
Sheikh Mukhtar Raban, a graduate of the Islamic University of Madinah Al Munawwarah and lecturer at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth told the show that Allah SWT had created human beings with a very specific purpose and afforded them a limited time period wherein to achieve that goal.
“Whilst spending this time, we have to take full cognisance of the Amanah(trust) of this period, because this period will determine our outcome and future in the Aakhirah,” Raban explained.
“When we talk about holidays from a Western globalised perspective,” he said, “we understand that there needs to be a break, a holiday in which we just let go of everything, and with this notion of letting go, we generally start becoming a bit naughty and doing evil deeds.”
Contrasting these two outlooks, Raban argued that all worldly ‘holidays’ should be viewed through the prism of the limited time endowed by Allah SWT to human beings, and that this understanding should regulate our behaviors.
He emphasised the value Islam attaches to time, citing the Hadith of the Prophet SAW that good health and free time were two blessings that a vast majority of people took for granted.
Raban suggested that Muslims afforded the liberty of ‘holidays’ in the Western world should view the recess as a period ripe with opportunity.
“Adopt the approach we have to Ramadan: We acknowledge that it is a limited time, so we try our utmost to accomplish a lot in this limited time.”
He said the Sahaba and pious predecessors always planned and prioritised which activities needed to be done whenever some period of time was presented to them.
The following is Raban’s ‘Bucket List’ for Muslims during the Holiday Season:
*Ask yourself: How can I become a better Muslim during this period
We have all been performing Salaah throughout the year, but perhaps it was always hurried or lacking proper concentration. With the additional time on our hands, we need not rush any longer. Spend more time in the Masjid. Make extra Tilawah. Read Nafl Salaah
*Improve your Islamic knowledge
With more time on on our hands, read good and beneficial Islamic material to increase our knowledge and get closer to Allah SWT.
*Strengthen family ties
With ample opportunity available for socialising, make use of these to get closer to our loved ones. Improve our bonds with spouses, parents, children and extended family and remember, above all, its Ibaadah
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