By Dr. Norlain Dindang Mababaya
By
Dr. Norlain Dindang Mababaya
Islâm as the divine religion from Allâh I teaches us to learn how to guard and fight against evil (9:122). In order to avoid evil deeds, Allâh the Most High commands us to show enmity to Satan, the accursed. Allâh I directs us away from evil thoughts and deeds. He reminds us not to let Satan seduce us to follow his way for he is an avowed enemy to us. Allâh the Exalted admonishes us:
“O mankind! Eat of what is on earth, lawful and good; and do not follow the footsteps of Satan for he is to you an avowed enemy. For he commands you what is evil and shameful, and that you should say of Allâh that of which you have no knowledge.” (2:168-169)
“O you children of Adam! Let not Satan seduce you, in the same manner as he got your parents out of the Garden, stripping them of their raiment, to expose their shame: for he and his tribe see you from a position where you cannot see them. We made Satan’s friends (only) for those without Faith.” (7:27)
“. . . For Satan is to man an avowed enemy!” (12:5)
O you who believe follow not Satan’s footsteps. If any will follow the footsteps of Satan, he will (but) command what is shameful and wrong. And were it not for the grace and mercy of Allâh on you, not one of you would ever have been pure. But Allâh does purify whom He pleases. And Allâh is One Who hears and knows (all things). (24: 21)
“Verily Satan is an enemy to you: so treat him as an enemy. He only invites his adherents, that they may become companions of the Blazing Fire.” (35: 6)
“Did I not enjoin on you O children of Adam, that you should not worship Satan; for that he was to you an enemy avowed? And that you should worship Me, for that this was the Straight Way? But he did lead astray a great multitude of you. Did you not, then, understand?” (36:60-62)
We have to avoid Satan by all means. Allâh I reminds us that Satan makes promises, only to deceive us. Satan only wants us to go astray. Those who take Satan as a friend will surely dwell in Hell. Our Creator I makes clear to us:
“Satan threatens you with poverty and bids you to conduct unseemly. Allâh promises you His forgiveness and bounties. And Allâh cares for all and He knows all things.” (2:268)
“Whoever forsaking Allâh, takes Satan for a friend, has of a surety suffered a loss that is manifest. Satan makes them promises, and creates in them false desires; but Satan’s promises are nothing but deception. They (his dupes) will have their dwelling in Hell, and from it they will find no way of escape.” (4:119-121)
“Remember Satan made their (sinful) acts seem alluring to them, and said ‘No one among men can overcome you this day, while I am near to you.’ But when the two forces came in sight of each other, he turned on his heels and said ‘Verily, I am clear of you. Verily, I see what you see not. Verily, I fear Allâh, for Allâh is strict in punishment.’” (8:48)
Allâh I is our Guardian Rabb (2:21-22) and Protector (2:257). He I guides us to seek His protection from Satan’s influence. He says:
“If a suggestion from Satan assails your (mind), seek refuge with Allâh; for He hears and knows (all things). Those who fear Allâh, when a thought of evil from Satan assaults them, bring Allâh to remembrance, when verily, they see (aright)!” (7: 200-201)
“And if (at any time) an incitement to discord is made to you by the Satan, seek refuge in Allâh. He is the One Who hears and knows all things.” (41:36)
In line with the above Qur’ânic injunctions, the Prophet I teaches us how to avoid Satan by refraining ourselves from being angry. He tells us that anger is from Satan, which we must avoid:
Attiyah as-Sa’di t narrated ...Allâh’s Messenger I as saying: “Anger comes from the devil, the devil was created of fire, and fire is extinguished only with water; so when one of you becomes angry, he should perform ablution.” (Abu Dawud 4766)
Abu Hurairah t narrated that a man said to the Prophet I “Advise me!” The Prophet I said, “Do not be angry and furious.” The man asked (the same) again and again, and the Prophet I said in each case, “Do not be angry and furious.” (Bukhâri 8/137)
In addition, to seeking Allah’s protection from Satan through supplication and purification (i.e., performing ablution), we can avoid Satan and other harmful creatures by reading selected Ayât (Verses) as well as Surât (Chapters) from the Qur’an. The following Ahâdîth tell us how the Prophet r advises us to make use of some Ayât and Surât from the Book of Allah the Almighty in fighting against Satan and his followers or other harmful creatures:
Abu Hurairah t narrated that Allah's Messenger ordered me to guard the Zakat revenue of Ramadan. Then somebody came to me and started stealing of the foodstuff. I caught him and said, “I will take you to Allah's Messenger!” Then Abu Hurairah t described the whole narration and said:) That person said (to me), “(Please don't take me to Allah's Messenger and I will tell you a few words by which Allah will benefit you.) When you go to your bed, recite Ayat-al-Kursi, (2.255) for then there will be a guard from Allah who will protect you all night long, and Satan will not be able to come near you till dawn.” (When the Prophet r heard the story) he said (to me), “He (who came to you at night) told you the truth although he is a liar; and it was Satan.” (Bukhari 6/530)
Abu Mas`ud Al Ansari t narrated that the Prophet r said, “If one recites the last two Verses of Surat-al-Baqara at night, it is sufficient for him (for that night).” (Bukhari Hadith 6/560)
Abu Hurairah t narrated that Allah's Messenger r said: “Do not make your house as graveyards. Satan runs away from the house in which Surah al-Baqarah is recited.” (Muslim 1707)
Abu Darda t narrated that Allah's Messenger r said: “If anyone learns by heart the first ten verses of the Surah al-Kahf, he will be protected from the Dajjal.” (Muslim 1766)
Shaddad ibn Aws t narrated that Allah's Messenger r said, “If any Muslim recites a Surah from Allah's Book when he goes to bed, Allah will put an angel in charge of him, and nothing which may harm him will come near him till he wakes.” (Tirmidhi 2396)
Very clearly, Satan and his followers, those who deviate on the Path of Allah are our enemies. They not only spread and do evil deeds to the rest of humanity but also do any means to hinder us, the Muslim Believers, from serving our Rabb. They want to prevent us in our Way to Success. They are enemies of Allah and hence our enemies too. As Muslims, we are duty-bound to fight against the friends of Satan. Allah the Almighty says:
“And why should you not fight in the cause of Allah and of those who, being weak, are ill treated (and oppressed); men, women and children, whose cry is: “Our Rabb (only God and Sustainer)! Rescue us from this town; whose people are oppressors; and raise for us from You one who will protect; and raise for us from You one who will help!” (4:75)
“Those who believe fight in the cause of Allah, and those who reject Faith fight in the cause of Evil; so fight against the friends of Satan. Feeble indeed is the cunning of Satan.” (4:76)
If we fight against the friends of Satan, for the Cause of Allah, our Rabb will surely reward us success. Very clearly, our Creator enjoins us to fight Satan and his followers for our own success. There are many verses in the Holy Qur'an that show how Allah encourages us to fight for His Cause, among these are as follows:
Not equal are those believers who sit (at home), except those who are disabled, and those who strive and fight in the cause of Allah with their goods and their person. Allah has granted a grade higher to those who strive and fight with their goods and persons than to those who sit (at home). Unto all (in Faith) has Allah promised good. But those who strive and fight has He distinguished above those who sit (at home) by a great reward. Ranks especially bestowed by Him and forgiveness and Mercy. For Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful. (4:95-96)
“Those who believe, and emigrate and strive with might and main, in Allah’s cause, with their goods and their persons, have the highest rank in the sight of Allah. They are the people who will achieve salvation (success).” (9:20)
"O you who believe! Shall I lead you to a bargain that will save you from a grievous Chastisement? That you believe in Allah and His Messenger, and that you strive (your utmost) in the Cause of Allah, with your wealth and your persons: that will be best for you, if you but knew! He will forgive you your sins, and admit you to the Gardens of Eternity: that is indeed the supreme Triumph." (61:10-12)
In addition to the above Qur'anic verses, the following authentic Ahadith must further inspire us Muslims to strive and fight hard for the Cause of Allah, Who Alone is our Savior and Grantor of Success:
Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri narrated that somebody asked, “Allah’s Messenger! Who is the best among the people? Allah’s Messenger replied: “A believer who strives his utmost in Allah’s Cause with his life and property...” (Bukhari, Vol. 4, Hadith 45)
It has been narrated on the authority of Sahl ibn Sa’d As-Sa’idi that the Messenger of Allah said: “The journey undertaken by a person in the morning (for Jihad) in the way of Allah (will merit a reward) better than the world and all that is in it.” (Muslim, Vol. 3, Hadith4640; also see Bukhari, Vol. 4, Hadith 50)
Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri narrated that the Messenger of Allah said (to him): Abu Sa'id, “Whoever cheerfully accepts Allah as his Rabb, Islam as his religion and Muhammad as his Messenger is necessarily entitled to enter Paradise.” He (Abu Sa'id) wondered at it and said: “Messenger of Allah, repeat it for me.” He (the Messenger of Allah) did that and said: “There is another act which elevates the position of a man in Paradise to a grade one hundred (higher), and the elevation between one grade and the other is equal to the height of the heaven from the earth. He (Abu Sa'id) said: What is that act? He replied: Jihad in the way of Allah! Jihad in the way of Allah!” (Muslim 4645)
Alhamdullillah (Praise be to Allah)! Allah the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful has opened to us One Straight Path to Paradise and that is Islam with many ways to success. One of these ways is Jihad, fighting against Satan and his followers for the Cause of Allah.
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