The Method of Islam (5/5)

12. Muslim's Invisible Enemies and the Way to Overcome Them:

Allah explained to Muslims that they have hidden enemies, who do their best to mislead Muslims to perdition in this worldly life and in the Hereafter. Allah also guided Muslims to the method of delivery from the evils of these unseen enemies.

The first of these enemies is the accursed Satan, who stirs up and leads all other enemies of man.

Satan was not only a foe to our forefather Adam and our grandmother Eve, but he is an open enemy of Adam's progeny till the end of this worldly life. Satan strives hard to persuade people either to unbelief or to commit sins in order that they may accompany him in dwelling forever in Hell-Fire. Satan is an incorporeal spirit, able to instill evil in man and allure mischief to him as if he were a second nature to him.

Allah explained to us how to overcome Satan and his followers. When a Muslim is about to commit a sin, or when he is maddened with anger, he should say “I ask Allah for His refuge against the accursed Satan.” Then he should refrain himself from committing the sin and calm his anger. The Muslim should know that malicious incentives are always motivated by the Satan. Allah said:

“Surely, Shaitan (Satan) is an enemy to you, so take (treat) him as an enemy. He only invites his Hizb (followers) that they may become the dwellers of the blazing Fire.” (Surah Al-Fatir, 35:6)

The Second foe of man is his lusts:  Man can be persuaded to deny the truth and disobey the commandments of Allah if these are contrary to his lusts. A sinful man always gives priority to emotions and passions over truth and justice.

The way to overcome lust is to ask Allah for refuge against one's own lusts, stick to truth, and to refrain from following desires contrary to Allah's commandments.

The third enemy of man is his base self which incites him to evil.

This base self incites sins and forbidden desires in a man such as drinking wine, committing adultery and breaking fast in Ramadan without a legal excuse. The way to overcome this enemy is to ask Allah for refuge against the base self and against the devil. Then, one should abstain from committing a sin and strive to gain the refuge of Allah. One should always remind oneself that sinful lusts are evanescent and leave nothing but sorrow and remorse.

Satanic-people are the fourth enemy of man. They are called satanic-people because they behave like devils, oppose the commandments of Allah, commit lewdness and tempt people to evil. The best way to overcome this enemy is to beware and not to associate with them.

13. Islam, the noble aim of this life and the way to happiness:

This worldly life with its evanescent allurements is not the object of Muslim. Allah explained to Muslims that they should direct their efforts in this life to gain eternity and bliss in the true coming-life, the life after death. This worldly life is not an end in itself; a true Muslim considers it only a means to the life Hereafter. Allah stated: 

“And I (Allah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone)”. (Surah Adh-Dhariyat, 51:56)

Allah stated also:

“O You who believe! Fear Allah and keep your duty to Him. And let every person look to what he has sent forth for the morrow, and fear Allah. Verily, Allah is All Aware of what you do. And be not like those who forgot Allah (i.e. became disobedient to Allah), and He caused them to forget their ownselves, (let them to forget to do righteous deeds). Those are the Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allah). Not equal are the dwellers of the Fire and the dwellers of the Paradise. It is the dwellers of Paradise that will be successful...” (Surah Al-Hashr, 59:18-20)

Allah said also:

“So whosoever does good equal to the weight of an atom (or a small ant) shall see it. And whosoever does evil equal to the weight of an atom (or a small ant) shall see it”. (Surah Al-Zalzalah, 99:7-8)

When the Muslim remembers these verses and other similar verses of glorious Qur’an, he understands his aim in this worldly life and acquires knowledge about the true life of Hereafter, which is certain to come. Therefore, he serves Allah devoutly and strives to gain His consent and kindness in this life and in the Hereafter. This will stimulate him to fulfil his religious duties sincerely, search for happiness in supplicating Allah and gain tranquility by continuous remembrance of Allah. Such a man is always good in deed and saying. He gains praise and appreciation of other good men, and pays no heed to ungrateful envious men who deny religion and mock at pious men's efforts. He follows the way of the messengers of Allah, and in whatever he does or says, he seeks nothing but the favour of Allah. Wherever he may work, he strives hard to increase production in order to serve Islam and Muslims, knowing that Allah will reward him for his sincerity and good intention, and that his earnings by which he supports himself and his family will be blessed by Allah.

This manner of life secures honour and complete contentment for man. He can enjoy all legal pleasures without extravagance He can have a wife and children who will serve Allah, add to the number of good Muslims and continue to carry out their father's mission after his death. A Muslim always thanks Allah for His favours and becomes more sincere to Him by devout obedience.

When a Muslim is afflicted with any disaster (fear, hunger, illness ... etc), he knows well that Allah tests him, therefore, he should endure, be contented and thank Allah in all cases. In this way, Allah rewards him for his patience.

A Muslim leading his life with this high spirit and striving for the happy eternal life will gain happiness not even in this worldly life but also in the Hereafter.

Allah said:

“That Home of the Hereafter (i.e. Paradise), We shall assign to those who rebel not against the truth with pride and oppression in the land nor do mischief by committing crimes. And the good end is for the Muttaqun (the pious and righteous persons)”. (Surah Al-Qasas, 28:83)

“Whoever works righteousness -whether male or female-while he (or she) is a true believer (of Islamic Monotheism) verily, to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter).” (Surah An-Nahl, 16:97)

The prophet, may the peace and blessings of Allah be on him said “How astonishing is the believer, all his affairs are rewarding, if he is blessed with a favour, he thanks Allah and gains the reward of the thankful men, and if he is afflicted with a misfortune, he endures and gains the reward of patient men”.

All this evidence proves that Islam is the only source of true conceptions and the right criteria to distinguish truth from falsehood. All prevailing conceptions in the fields of sociology, economics, politics, education and other fields of knowledge should be revised and corrected according to the true principles of Islam. It is impossible for any contrary conception to gain success, but it would rather impede progress and continue to be a source of misery and unhappiness to those who adopt it.