بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيم
THE ESSENCE OF LIFE
All praise is due to ﷲ. We seek refuge with Allah from the evil within ourselves, and our actions. Whoever Allah (SWT) guides, no-one can misguide, and whomsoever Allah misguides, no one can guide. I testify that there is no god but Allah, and no one has the right to be worshipped except Him, and Muhammad ﷺ is his servant and messenger. He (S.A.W.S) was responsible for the mission, conveyed it, advised the beloved Ummah, brought peace and relieved affliction, and left the Ummah on a straight path.
In the 21st century, we live in an era where every country in the world has been exposed to liberalistic values and the fear of God has vanished. The western society has engulfed our media, our lives, and our mental makeup. Wherever we navigate throughout life, in the bustling crowd of malls, in the pursuit of shopping in shops and markets, in the path to seek knowledge in schools and universities, and earning a living in offices, we observe that Satan has truly deluded billions of humans in a global scale. Music, free-mixing, and backbiting has been normalized. Satan provides us to feel a sense of freedom in our living if we pursue haram actions, but it is a mere delusion. Whoever turns away from the remembrance of Allah ﷻ, he will be raised in the day of resurrection blind. (Quran: 20:24). Religion does not restrict us. It frees us from the shackles of society. Progressiveness is a double-edged sword. If you are open-minded, there's nothing wrong with that, it even leads to generation of new ideas and development in society and in matters of Deen. But we do not have the full ability to cross Al Hakeem ﷻ that has set certain limits. If we cross those boundaries with our sudden urges of "open-mindness", we do damage to ourselves, our nafs, our soul. No matter how small of a sin, transgression itself is a sin. We often fail to realize that our sins affect ourselves and our hearts and Allah does not owe us anything. Allah ﷻ mentions in Surah At-Talaq:
THE FEELING OF EMPTINESS WE FEEL
Although Allah SWT has only provided Iblis the ability to whisper, it is a shame that our self-control has been snatched away from excess social media usage, bad company, over-sleeping, over-eating, indulging in vain talk, etc. Ever noticed that empty feeling you get once you come back home from a major social event or after you're done hanging around with friends? This is the heart yearning for Allah ﷻ. You've probably delayed Isha or have not thought of Allah SWT for most of your day. No matter how many worldly gains such as social media followers, post likes and comments, appreciation, compliments you receive, you should remind yourself:
This is not just generic advice. This is to keep your feet lowered to the ground and not rise in the skies. It is to protect you from ego. If Allah ﷻ is not the priority of your life, and if you don't keep your heart pure for the sake of Him, you will feel a sense of emptiness. Develop Taqwa, mindfulness and consciousness of Allah in every action and saying 24/7. You will remain in the state of Ibadah all the time, even if you are pursuing university studies or office work. In the midst of walking in a mall, buying groceries, eating, sleeping, chores, talk with Allah SWT in your brain. He is the only guider, protector, friend, master, light of the heavens and Earth. You can never have negative thoughts once you're in the state of mindfulness of Allah. Reminder, this does not necessarily involve the state of Dhikr all the time, but even when your mouth is closed. Once Allah SWT is in our mind 24/7, Satan whispers are the similitude of that of a duck blabbering for attention, although the position of Satan is the biggest enemy of mankind. This is the power of the free will you possess. Contemplate on a verse from Surah Nisa:
PROTECT YOUR HEART (قلب)
Sahih al-Bukhari 52 - Narrated An-Nu'man bin Bashir:
I heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) saying, 'Both legal and illegal things are evident but in between them there are doubtful (suspicious) things and most of the people have no knowledge about them. So, whoever saves himself from these suspicious things saves his religion and his honour. And whoever indulges in these suspicious things is like a shepherd who grazes (his animals) near the Hima (private pasture) of someone else and at any moment he is liable to get in it. (O people!) Beware! Every king has a Hima and the Hima of Allah on the earth is His illegal (forbidden) things. Beware! There is a piece of flesh in the body if it becomes good (reformed) the whole body becomes good but if it gets spoilt the whole body gets spoilt and that is the heart.
LOWER YOUR GAZE
Battling the fitnah of obsessing over the adornments of this worldly life can be a way for us to attain Paradise by the will of Allah SWT Insha'Allah. إِنْ شَاءَ ٱللَّٰهُ. This includes the over-glarification of wealth and women. Do not let these both control your life. The more you fulfil your desires, the more the craving.
"The eye is the mirror of the heart, if the slave lowers his gaze, the heart will lower its desires and whims, and if he lets his gaze wander, the desire in his heart will be released."
"No man is
alone with a woman but the Shaitaan is the third one present."
[Narrated by Ahmad,
al-Tirmidhi and al-Haakim; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami'
(2546)
If you're single and are struggling with sexual desires, opt for marriage. This is the first and only priority. If monetary or societal circumstances are holding you back, which they shouldn't (Allah is All Wise), but that's another topic. Resort to fasting and dua. Never skip going the gym. Distract yourself from the plot of Satan, keep yourself busy all times, and lower your gaze. If any factor I just mentioned is slipped from your daily routine, this is the very entrance from where Satan will attack you again. Indeed, Allah SWT has given the ability of patience to Satan to test the patience and Jihad al Nafs of believers. (War against Soul)
PPL METHOD
1. Purpose - If you’re working on some affair such as a project, you have to converse as an obligation. Therefore, this is an example of a “purpose” that is set.
2. Public - Make sure
your conversation is in public areas. It is safer for you and her as Shaytaan’s
plots are mostly ineffective.
3. Limited - This
relates to the “purpose” point. Converse details to the point instead of
laughing and being frank. Leave that right to your blessed wife that is Halal.
Have active consciousness regarding Allah SWT every time.
WISDOM FROM A COMIC
FINAL COMMENTS
Lowering your gaze is such a comprehensive protection. And it doesn't just mean lowering your gaze from what is inappropriate. Also lower your gaze from what doesn't concern you, from the faults and private matters of others. This prevents habits of over-thinking of what other people think of you, as you are busy with yourself and your connection with God. Allah SWT wants to see your effort in turning towards Him. He will give you knowledge, wisdom, fearlessness, discipline, whatever you ask Him. At least, keep your heart pure and develop Taqwa. This opens the doors to endless knowledge. If your goal is to memorize the entire Quran in your lifetime by the will of Allah SWT, avoid sins and habits that would affect your heart, the Word of Allah ﷻ does not stay in the heart of the sinner for long. Do not let Satan deceive you and lead you to an endless loop of negative thoughts if you've recently sinned.
Resort to Sujood
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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