Striving Against the Evil Inclinations of the Soul (2/2)

But there is more to it than refraining oneself from chasing after lusts and desires. One also has to “move” one’s soul and oneself. That is, one has to strive against being complacent and lazy. Today, no specific individual has a guarantee of paradise. Hence, every individual should fear that he could lose whatever good he has attained and could even lose his faith altogether. Therefore, he must always strive to maintain his faith, improve himself, and perform as many good deeds as he can. In fact, he should not even be content if he remains stationary. He should hope for improvement in every day of his life. In fact, the early scholars Sulaimaan al-Daaraani stated, “If a person’s day is just like yesterday, then he has a shortcoming.”

In particular, he must push himself to perform the obligatory duties, from the prayer five times a day to the obligations he has towards all others. Given all the temptations, constraints and struggles a person faces, this is indeed a true form of striving in every sense of the word. The individual cannot afford to be lackadaisical since he never knows when the angel of death may come to him.

The main weapon in this battle is patience. Patience has many aspects to it. Patience has been defined by ibn al-Qayyim as, “confirming the demands of the [intellegent and rational] mind and faith against the urges of desires and lusts.” [Ibn Qayyim in Iddah al-Saabireen wa Dhakheerah al-Shakireen: Beirut Daar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah 1983, p.16]

One of the most important forms of patience is the patience and perseverance that is required on a daily basis to make oneself perform the obligatory duties. It also includes patience in the sense of restraining oneself from committing sinful acts. Hence, the quality of patience is definitely a must for the purified soul. Indeed, it is one of the true signs of a purified soul and it is one of the aspects concerning which Allah tests mankind. Allah has said,

“We shall try you until We show who are the mujahideen among you and who are the patient. And We shall test your facts [to display your true nature].” (Surat Muhammad: 31)

In fact, one of the greatest benefits of jihad is that it is both an act of patience as well as an act that develops further patience. The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) has stated,

“The hell-fire has been covered in lusts while paradise is covered in hardships.” [Recorded by al-Bukhari].

Paradise is not obtained simply through play, rest and relaxation while merely stating with one’s tongue that one is a believer. Indeed, when one claims to be a believer, Allah will put that person to the test to demonstrate, prove and increase his faith. Allah says,

“Do men think that they will be left alone on saying, ‘We believe’ and that they will not be tested? We did test those before them and Allah will certainly know those who are true from those who are false” (Surat al-ankaboot: 2-3)

The demonstration of one’s faith and its increase is achieved through sacrifice, patience and jihad.

A very important aspect in the jihad against the evil inclinations of the soul is the repelling of nay evil thought that pop into one’s mind. Evil ideas occur to everybody. The important thing is to stamp them out as soon as they appear and not to allow them to grow and flourish until the person himself begins to desire or intend to do that evil act. When caught in their early moments, there is no sin upon the person for what occurred in his mind. A hadith, recorded by al-Bukhari and Muslim, states,

“Verily, Allah has overlooked for [the members of] my nation what their souls think about as long as they do not act on it or speak about it.”

As one allows the evil thoughts to persist, the stronger they become and more difficult they are to overcome and defeat. If the individual allows them to grow until they become true wants and intentions, then he may commit a sin depending upon the entire situation and what he does afterwards.

An additional aid in struggling against the soul is to specifically seek refuge with Allah from any evil inclination in the soul. Actually, the believer should do this every morning, every evening and upon going to bed. The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) told his dear Companion Abu Bakr (radiallahu anhu),

“Say: O Allah, creator of the heavens and earth, knower of the unseen and seen, Lord of everything and its Sovereign, I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except You. I seek refuge in You from the evil in my soul and from the evil of Satan and his ascribing of partners to Allah. [I also seek refuge from] acquiring any evil for myself or bringing such upon any Muslim.”

Then the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Say that when you are in the early morning, late afternoon and when you take to your bed.” [Recorded by Ahmad and Abu Dawood. According to al-Hilaali, this hadith is sahih]

As noted earlier, the soul is not necessarily inherently evil, although some writers may give that impression. Dealing with the soul is a case of developing its natural good qualities and suppressing any evil qualities that may have crept into it. This struggle with the soul is not an impossible task. It is something that Allah requires from every human and it is well within the means of every human if he so chooses that path. The following verse makes it clear that this obligation-this struggle against the soul which is so often pictured or conceived of as some insurmountable task-is within the means of mankind without even an unbearable hardship. Allah has said,

“And strive in His cause as you ought to strive. He has chosen you, and has imposed no difficulties on you in religion” (Surat al-Hajj: 78)

Perhaps one of the greatest foundations that can assist one in striving against any evil desires or inclinations in his soul is having a noble and supreme purpose. That is, if one keeps in mind his goal in life, setting that goal in front of him, he will recognize those acts that veer him away from that goal. He will realize what is more important and he will in most cases - Allah willing-not gives in to any temporary temptations.