The Thoughts of Sinning
The Thoughts of Sinning by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (rahmatullah ‘alayh) Many people are anxious and troubled when the thought of sinning comes to their minds. Whilst Shaytan whispers such thoughts, inviting and tempting towards sins, we should not entertain them. I often present the analogy that our minds can be likened to a national highway. Whilst travelling on the highway, we find different kinds of vehicles and conveyances – luxury cars, old cars, trucks, bicycles, motorbikes, etc. Many times, animals are seen being transported – horses, cows and even pigs. If we find ourselves driving behind a truck transporting pigs, even though it disgusts us, we don’t have to leave the highway. All we have to do is, indicate, accelerate, overtake and continue driving. Similarly, our mind is like that national highway, and all kinds of thoughts begin travelling through the mind – good and bad. When evil thoughts visit our minds, we should pass them. We should not intentionally bring them into the mind or entertain them when they come to mind. Simply ignore them. Despite the thought being bad, no sin is recorded. In fact, Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) mentioned that Nabi (sallallahu’ alayhi wa sallam) had said that if a servant has an inclination towards some evil but does not act upon it, one good is written of good deeds.[1] The following is another analogy which I have also presented ad an explanation: If during the blessed month of Ramadan, whilst sitting at the Dastarkhan (tablecloth), waiting for Iftar, many delicious foods are placed before a person, and the thought comes to his mind to eat this or partake of that, then there is no sin concerning those thoughts. As long as the person does not eat anything, his fast will not break, and there will be no sin at the mere thought of eating the different delicacies coming to his mind. Click here to download or read the book “Combating the Whisperings of Shaytan” on this website. [1] Sahih Al-Bukhari
Giving up Sins: An Easy Prescription
Giving up Sins: An Easy Prescription by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (rahmatullah ‘alayh) There are many Muslim brothers and sisters throughout the world who, due to various negative influences and bad elements, find themselves ‘de-railed’ from Deen. Many others sit on the fence, wanting to enjoy or benefit from both sides of the fence – engaging in sins as well as being practical on specific teachings of Deen. However, deep in their hearts is the desire to get back on track and once again become good, practical Muslims, to jump off the fence and enjoy the green pastures of Islam. So they write, e-mail, phone, and fax, seeking guidance and direction. The main weakness is indulgence in sins; sometimes, excessive indulgence in those sins. A standard prescription that I give as a reply is as follows. Alhamdulillah, many who followed through with the prescription have found a new life – of peace, happiness, blessings and mercy. On tasting the sweetness that comes with obedience, there is no desire to return to any form of disobedience. The bes is to abstain from sins out of Love for Allah Ta’ala. He has granted us so much – He has given us everything, and it is the nature of human beings that we love the person that is kind and generous to us. Then what of Allah Ta’ala, who has provided us with plentiful – with everything? Our sight, hearing, speech, organs that are functioning in such an amazing manner, the limbs – all in our service – for eating, drinking, walking, sitting, etc. The gifts of wealth: clothing, shelter, transport, food, drink, and so many other comforts. We use them all, but do we keep in mind the Generous Benefactor? Do we give thanks for these bounties or show any appreciation to the Giver? Developing the conscious awareness that Allah Ta’ala is with us: He is watching us, He is hearing us, He knows all and everything about us; We cannot hide from Him; We cannot conceal our actions from Him. Then should we not feel ashamed that we are disobeying Him in His Presence? Are we not showing ingratitude to the Benefactor when engaging in sins in His Presence? Keep in mind that the angels, too, are witnesses to all our actions; the earth is recording our behaviour, and all of it is also noted in our books of deeds – and we are accountable to Allah Ta’ala on the Day of Judgement. Added to this, our actions are also presented to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), so we should consider whether our actions are a source of joy or grief to him. In this manner, we will develop that shame and modesty, which will make it easy to restrain from Haram. Muraqabah is meditating on our actions during the day: We should reflect on our deeds for the day, seek forgiveness for shortcomings, and resolve not to return to those bad deeds. We should also express gratitude for good deeds and make Dua for an increase in them. Ponder over the fact that the Angel of Death does not give respite. It must not be that whilst obeying the Nafs in sinful pleasure, the Angel of death visits, and our departure is in disgrace, and our return to Allah Ta’ala is at a time when He is angry. Our death will be an embarrassment to us, our family and the community who will find out that death came in sin. May Allah Ta’ala protect us from death in a state of transgression, but this is very much a reality. Death visits – more often, very unexpectedly, and no true Muslim would want to be seized by the Angel of death when Allah Ta’ala is displeased. I often say: We now have instant tea, instant coffee, instant cereal and instant pudding and so many other things on the market are instant – we are also living in times when death is just as instant. So any sin is too much of a risk in the face of the reality of death. The Hadith is explicit: We will be resurrected on the day of Judgement as we have died[1]. Would any Muslim want to rise on the Day of Judgement in sin for all of humanity to witness what kind of life he led? Ponder over the fact that Allah Ta’ala has blessed us with the gift of sight, hearing, health, wealth, and so much else – and has also granted us the gift of respect. However, what He gives, He can also take away. He explicitly stated that ingratitude for His Gifts would draw severe punishment. So is sinning not abuse and ingratitude for the gifts of sight, heart, mind, and limbs? A little contemplation on the consequences of such behaviour and a little Mujahada (effort) – which entails ‘not doing’ and Alhamdulillah, the sicknesses are cured. Together with this: Attend the talks of the learned Scholars of Islam whenever possible or listen to recordings of their lectures and read their books to gain the benefit of the pious, righteous company. Join and participate in the Deeni activities with those who follow the Qur’an and Sunnah. Insha Allah, there will be a great improvement in one’s condition by keeping the right company. Make an effort to read Salah punctually. Men should make every effort to read their Salah in Jamat (congregation). Read good Islamic literature. Abstain from magazines or books that have filthy and indecent contents and pictures. Give up television viewing. 0% of the content is Haram. If a person offers a full glass of clean and pure water and mentions that there is just one drop of urine, would any sensible person drink it? When the major content of television is Haram, what would we then say? When the gaze, heart and mind are consuming and digesting so much of Haram viewing, what else would be the result
A Means of Protection from Sins
A Means of Protection from Sins In my Dua, I always mention that we inevitably have to depart from this world. Death is a certainty. However, its time is unknown. Since we do not know where, when, and how we will die, how can we be engaged in sin? When making Dua, I say: O Allah, it must not be that the Angel of Death visits anyone of us when we are popping drugs into our mouths, when we have a bottle of liquor in our hands, when we are in a casino or an escort agency, or committing adultery and fornication, or watching some filthy movie or reading a filthy novel or magazine. Alhamdulillah, this Dua has been a means of Hidayah (guidance) and protection for many who found their evil habits difficult to give up. When the thought of death and this Dua flashed before them, someone dashed out of a casino, another distanced himself from an escort agency, and others opted for abstinence and self-restraint. This remembrance of death becomes a barrier between a person and sin. My Shaykh, Hazrat Maulana Hakim Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (rahmatullah ‘alayh) often presented the following questions for reflection: 1. Is sin good or bad? – The answer would be ‘Bad’. 2. Should a bad thing be given up or not? – It should be given up. 3. Should it be given up quickly or slowly? – Quickly. 4. Should it be given up before death or after death? – Before death. Who knows when death will pay us its only visit? We know fully well that sins should be given up before death. We also know that the hour of death is unknown, and there is no escape from it. Should sin not then be given up immediately? Is there even any time to think about when to give it up? —The time to give up sin is now. My Shaykh Hazrat Maulana Hakim Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (rahmatullah ‘alayh) had composed a couplet that spells out this reality, which we should reflect over: Strange is the visa of life, It can be cancelled at any time. The duration of its validity is unknown And its extension, too, is impossible.