The Fortified Fortress from the Accursed Shaytaan
19. Opposing Shaytaan
“The enmity of Shaytaan is the cause behind him (provoking) sin in every issue; he does not encourage good deeds.”[1]
A true Mu’min (believer) refuses to have any connection with Shaytaan, and he opposes him on the following issues:
a) Haste
Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Calmness is from Allaah, and haste is from Shaytaan.”[2]
Ibnul-Qayyim (Rahimahullaah) explains, “Haste is to pursue a thing before its time, due to the excessive desire for it, such as picking fruits before it’s the right time to harvest. Therefore, haste is from Shaytaan; it is moving quickly, recklessly, and eagerly which prevents the slave from stability, poise, and forbearance.
It causes one to not put things in their appropriate places, brings various evils, prohibits various good, and it is joined with regret. There isn’t anyone who acts hastily except he regrets, just like laziness causes missing out and wastage.”[3]
It is required for a Muslim to be calm in his affairs and in all his situations, without hastiness because haste is from Shaytaan and is accompanied by disappointment and loss.[4]
b) Sitting in partial Sun and partial Shade
A companion of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) narrated that the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) forbade sitting between (ad-Dih) the sun and (adh-Dhil) the shade. He said: “It is the seat of Shaytaan.”[5]
Ad-Dih – the rays of the sun when it hits the ground.
Meaning: Do not sit in a place where half of you is in the sun and half in the shade.
Ibn Katheer said: “The best of what is said concerning the meaning/ reason of this is that it causes the eyes to see a distorted figure – just like Shaytaan likes it – because his own creation is a5ds1fdistorted/ misshapen – and this is something known to man.
Hence Allaah says:
‘A tree that grows in the depths of Hell;) The shoots of its fruit stalks are like the heads of Shayateen.’ [Surat As-Saaffaat (37:65)].”[6]
c) Eating and Drinking
Ibn ‘Umar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhuma) narrated that the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “When one of you eats, he should eat with his right hand, and when he drinks, he should drink with his right hand, for, the devil eats and drinks with his left hand.“[7]
d) Giving and Taking
Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Let one of you eat with his right hand and drink with his right hand, take with his right hand, and give with his right hand. For the Shaytaan eats with his left hand, drinks with his left hand, gives with his left hand, and takes with his left hand.“[8]
e) Pride
Know – may Allaah protect you from Shaytaan – that pride is from the characteristics of Iblees. Allaah says:
“Remember when We said to the Angels, ‘Prostrate before Adam, so they all did except Iblees who refused and acted arrogantly, becoming unfaithful.” [Surat Al-Baqarah (2:34)]
and Allaah said:
“Then get down from Paradise! It is not for you to be arrogant here. So get out! You are truly one of the disgraced.” [Surat Al-A’raaf (7:13)]
Opposing Shaytaan in this would be with humbleness, and it is of two types:
- Humbleness of the slave with Allaah by following His Orders and staying away from His prohibitions
- Humbleness to the Majesty and Glory of the Lord, and humbleness to His Magnificence and Pride.
f) Taking an afternoon Nap
Anas (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Take a siesta because the Shayateen do not take a siesta.“[9]
g) Wearing both shoes
Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) prohibited walking in one shoe. He (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Indeed, the Shaytaan walks with one shoe.”[10]
h) Squandering and Extravagance
Allaah (Ta’ala) says:
“Surely the wasteful are like brothers to the devils.” [Surat Al-‘Israa’ (17:27)]
Jabir ibn ‘Abdullaah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) said that the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) mentioned, “There should be bedding for a man and bedding for his wife, and a third for a guest, but a fourth is for Shaytaan.“[11]
As for his saying, ‘the fourth is for Shaytaan’, means it is excessive because there is no need for it, and perhaps he meant that the fourth does not make anything better (i.e., it is not good). Kashful-Mushkil (4/131)[12]
20. Tawbah and Istighfar
Allaah (Ta’ala) says:
“Indeed when Shaytaan whispers to those mindful of Allaah, they remember their Lord then they start to see things clearly.” [Surat Al-A’raaf (7:201)]
“Because it is inevitable that the slave will (occasionally) become heedless and the Shaytaan, who is always lying in wait, will find an opportunity to exploit. Allaah mentions a sign that distinguishes the pious from the heedless; when the pious person commits a sin by responding to Shaytaan’s prompting him to do something that is prohibited or to omit something that is obligatory, the slave will remember how Shaytaan got to him and will take note of that weak point. He will remember what Allaah has enjoined upon him and what he must do of adhering to his faith. So he will ask Allaah to forgive him and make up for his negligence by repenting sincerely and doing many good deeds. Thus, he will repel the despised Shaytaan and spoil everything he has achieved.”[13]
21. The Good Word
Allaah (Ta’ala) says:
وَقُلْ لِعِبَادِي يَقُولُوا الَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ ۚ إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ يَنْزَغُ بَيْنَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ كَانَ لِلْإِنْسَانِ عَدُوًّا مُبِينًا
“Say to My slaves that they should (only) say those words that are the best. (Because) Shaytaan verily, sows disagreements among them. Surely, Shaytaan is to man a plain enemy.” [Surat Al-‘Israa’ (17:53)]
In this verse, Allaah (Ta’ala) commands His servant Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) to tell the believing servants of Allaah that they should address one another in their conversations and discussions with the best and the politest words, for, if they do not do that, Shaytaan will sow discord among them, and words will lead to actions, so that evil and conflicts and fights will arise among them. For Shaytaan is the enemy of Adam and his descendants and has been since he refused to prostrate to Adam. His enmity is obvious and manifest.[14]
22. Holding Fast to Allaah
Allaah (Ta’ala) says:
“Hold fast to Allaah, He is your Maula (Lord, etc.), what an Excellent Maula and what an Excellent Helper!” [Surat Al-Hajj (22:78)]
i.e., when you hold fast to Him, He will take care of you, and will support you against the Shaytaan, the enemy who does not separate from the slave, and his enmity is more harmful than the enmity of the outside enemy.
So, support and help against this enemy is more crucial, and the slave is in more need of it, and the perfect support/ help is in accordance with the perfection of holding onto Allaah, and deficiency in holding fast to Allaah will lead to letting go (loss) of the protection of Allaah which is the true disgrace. Leaving the person alone with Shaytaan is due to the disgrace of Allaah, and if Allaah gives a person protection and guides him, then Shaytaan will not find a way to him.
So, the slave is placed between Allaah and his enemy Iblees; if Allaah takes care of him, his enemy cannot win over him but if Allaah leaves him alone, and turns away, Shaytaan will prey on him, just like a wolf preys on a sheep when there is no shepherd to shield the prey from the wolf – Shaytaan is a wolf to man.
If it is asked, what is the fault of the sheep if the shepherd leaves from between the wolf and the sheep? Is it possible for the sheep to overpower the wolf and escape from it?
The reply – and from Allaah is all Tawfeeq – Shaytaan is a wolf to man, but Allaah has not given authority to this accursed wolf over the sheep despite its weakness. However, if the sheep gives its hand submissively to the wolf and trusts it, and if the wolf calls the sheep, and it responds to it and does not oppose it, rather it races towards it and hence leaves the shepherd’s security – which the wolf would not have been capable of penetrating (had the sheep stayed within it) – but the sheep enters the wolf’s territory, which whosoever enters it, becomes a prey to the wolf.
So, isn’t the fault – the complete fault – of the sheep? And what about if the shepherd had forewarned the sheep and alerted it and had also made known the situation of the sheep who had alienated from the shepherd and entered the territory of the wolf?!
Allaah has warned the son of Adam about this wolf, time after time, but he refuses to take heed when the wolf calls it and responds to the wolf and lives with it day and night.[15]
There can be no prosperity for him who cuts off that which is between him and his caretaker and Mawla (Lord) – without Whom he cannot live for the blink of an eye
and without Whom he has no one to take care of him – whom he should stick to, and there is no substitute for Him, and he joins relation with his worst enemy and befriends him- and then the enemy overtakes him in every matter and does not leave any harm but he tries to reach it (harm) to him.
23. Following the Straight Path
Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat Al-An’aam (6:153):
“Verily, this is (Sabeeli) my Straight Path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His Path. This He has ordained for you that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious).”
Sabeel of Allaah and Siraat al-Mustaqeem is what the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and his Sahabah were upon – and the proof is Allaah’s saying:
“You [O Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)] indeed are on the (true) straight guidance.” [Surat Al-Hajj (22:67)]
He also says:
“Verily, you [O Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)] are indeed guiding (mankind) to the Straight Path.” [Surat Ash-Shura (42:52)]
Whosoever follows the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) in his sayings and his actions, then he is upon the Straight Path, and he is amongst those whom Allaah loves and forgives their sins. And whosoever opposes him (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) in sayings and actions, then he is a Mubtadi’ (innovator) follower of the Sabeel (way) of the Shaytaan and is not from those whom Allaah has promised Paradise, forgiveness, and goodness.[16]
From Jabir (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) who narrated that we were sitting with the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), he drew a line in front of him and said: ‘This is the Sabeel of Allaah’ and then he drew a line on its right and a line on its left and he said: ‘These are the ways of Shaytaan’ and then he placed his hand on the middle line and recited the following verse (interpretation of the meaning):
“Verily, this is my Straight Path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His Path. This He has ordained for you that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious).” [Surat Al-An’aam (6:153)][17]
The Sabeel of Allaah is the True Deen (Religion) and the Straight Path – and these both together is the true faith and righteous actions – this Sabeel does not have various sides or different directions but it has stages and ranks (status), and the traveler crosses it with his knowledge and action – and whosoever’s feet slip and he deviates from one of these status, then he has deviated from the Sabeel, and has drifted far from the goal of the goals.[18]
If you are amongst those in whom there is some modesty left, then choose justice for yourself by following the only Sabeel (way) upon which were the Salaf (predecessors) of this Ummah and its Imams from the Sahabah and the Tabi’een and the four Mujtahideen** The four Mujtahideen are Imaam Abu Hanifah, Imaam Maalik, Imaam Ash-Shafie and Imaam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal and all the followed Muhadditheen (i.e. narrators of the Hadeeth). Do not follow the innovated paths that have been invented in the Deen since ages, as they will deviate you from the Straight Path of Allaah and the Right Path.
Fear Allaah and accept this advice from the Owner of the Day of Judgment so that you may succeed, and your affairs will be corrected on the Day when the whole of humanity will stand in front of the Lord of all the worlds.
But if you are amongst those who possess no traits of Islam except its name, and follow the religion on a mere cultural basis, then you have been informed, and the responsibility is on you – and all we can do is warn you.[19]
24. Protecting the House
First: by Mentioning Allaah upon entering
Jabir (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that he heard the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) saying: “If a person mentions the Name of Allaah upon entering his house or eating, Shaytaan says, addressing his followers: ‘You will find no place to spend the night and no dinner.’ But if he enters without mentioning the Name of Allaah, Shaytaan says (to his followers): ‘You have found (a place) to spend the night. And if he does not mention the Name of Allaah at the time of eating, Shaytaan says: ‘You have found (a place) to spend the night as well as food.‘”[20]
Second: by saying Salaam to the people
Anas (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said to him: “Dear son, when you enter your house, say As- salamu ‘alaikum to your family, for it will be a blessing to you and your family.”[21]
Third: by Purifying the House from the Voice of Iblees
Ponder upon the following Hadeeth – Jabir ibn ‘Abdullaah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated: “The Prophet took ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Awf by his hand and went with him to his son Ibrahim. He found Ibraheem in his last breaths, so he took him and put him on his lap and cried. ‘Abdur-Rahmaan said to him: ‘You cry? Didn’t you prohibit (your followers) from crying?’ He (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) replied: ‘No. But I prohibited two foolish immoral voices; a voice during a calamity while clawing at one’s face and tearing one’s clothes, and Shaytaan’s scream.‘”[22]
By the first voice, he meant that which is done at the time of distress and calamity, calling out, wailing and lamenting, and similar voices. The second voice is that which happens at the time of joy and pleasure that is accompanied by singing and flutes and other instruments of amusement, etc.
Ibnul-Qayyim (Rahimahullaah) said: “Pay attention to this stressed prohibition of calling the sound of singing as the sound of the foolish, and he (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) did not restrict it with this only; rather, he called it an immoral voice, and he did not restrict it with this either, as it was called the instrument of Shaytaan. If prohibition is not deduced from this description, then prohibition can never ever be deduced.
How can a knowing person consider permissible that what Allaah’s Messenger has prohibited and called the voice of an immoral fool and the musical instrument of Shaytaan; and he (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) coupled it together with lamenting for which its doer is cursed – hence the ruling of both is the same – i.e., prohibition, and he (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) described both with foolishness and immorality together.”[23]
Fourth: by Purifying the House from Bells
Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Bells are the musical instruments of the Shaytaan.”[24]
The Shayateen accompany the bells while the Angels leave the company of the one who possesses bells. From Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu), “The Angels do not accompany any group with whom there is a dog or a bell.”[25]
From ‘Aishah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha), “I heard the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) say: ‘The Angels do not enter a house with bells.'”[26]
Know that the alarm clock which wakes one up from sleep, the bell of the telephone, doorbell – are not included in the mentioned Hadeeth – because it does not resemble (the bell of) the church, neither in its sound nor in shape. This is unlike the bell of some big clocks which are hung on the walls, and their sound resembles exactly the sound of the church – therefore, a Muslim should not have these clocks in his house, particularly those which play a sound that resembles music before it rings the bell like the London Clock which can be heard on its broadcast – and is famously known as ‘Big Ben’.[27]
Fifth: by purifying the house from pictures and statues
It is required for the Muslim to purify his house from statues and pictures except those which are excluded, like dolls for girls, and pictures that have no soul in them like the trees, rivers, plants, inanimate objects, etc. and those necessary things like a picture of one’s ID and legal documents – this is because the Angels do not enter the house in which there are pictures and statues, and if the Angels leave the house, the Shayateen will settle in it.
Abu Talha (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated from the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam): “The Angels do not enter a house in which there is a dog or an image.“[28]
Fiqh of the Hadeeth
Firstly, prohibition of pictures because it is a case of Angels not entering the house.
Secondly, the prohibition includes pictures that are not three-dimensional and do not have a shadow. There is no difference between these and those which are embroidered on the clothes, or drawn on paper, or clicked with photography instruments – because all of them are pictures.[29]
Source:
Qutoof Daaniyah by Shaikh ‘Abdul-Haadi Wahbi
- Shajajkratul Ma’arif (p. 87) ↑
- Reported by Abu Yala (4256) with a Hasan Isnad ↑
- Ar-Ruh (p. 348) ↑
- Al-Asna fi Sharh Asma Allaah Al-Husna (1/55) li-Imam Al-Qurtubi (Rahimahullaah) ↑
- Reported by Ahmad and authenticated by Al-Albaani in Saheeh At-Targheeb no. 3081 ↑
- Al-Bidayah wan-Nihaya (1/10). Published by Dar Ibn Katheer – Beirut. ↑
- Reported by Muslim (2020) ↑
- Reported by Ibn Majah (3266). Authenticated by Al-Albaani (Rahimahullaah) in Sunan Ibn Majah (2643) ↑
- Reported by At-Tabarani in Al-Awsat (28) and graded Hasan. by Al-Albaani (Rahimahullaah) in Saheeh Al-Jami’ (4431) ↑
- Reported by At-Tahawi in Sharh Mushkil Al-Athaar (1358) and authenticated by Al-Muhaddith Al-Albaani (Rahimahullaah) in As-Saheehah (348). ↑
- Reported by Abu Dawoud (4142). Authenticated by Al-Albaani (Rahimahullaah) in Sunan Abu Dawoud (3489). ↑
- Shajaratul Ma’arif (p. 264) ↑
- Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahman (2/183) ↑
- Tafseer Al-Qur’an Al-Adheem (3/6) ↑
- Shifaa Al-Aleel (1/311-313) with little alteration. ↑
- Dhammul-Waswaas (p. 46-47) by Ibn Qudamah Al-Maqdisi (Rahimahullaah) ↑
- Reported by Abi Asim in As-Sunnah (16). Authenticated by Al-Muhaddith Al-Albaani (Rahimahullaah) in ‘Dhilaal Al-Jannah’ (p. 12). ↑
- Sharh At-Tibbi Alal-Mishkaat (p. 635). ↑
- Sharh At-Tibbi Alal-Mishkaat (p. 635) ↑
- Reported by Muslim (2018) ↑
- Reported by At-Tirmidhi (2698) and authenticated by Al-Albaani (Rahimahullaah) in Sunan At-Tirmidhi (2171) ↑
- Reported by At-Tirmidhi (1005) and declared Hasan by Al-Albaani (Rahimahullaah) in Sunan At-Tirmidhi (804) ↑
- Igathatul-Lahfam (p. 257-258) ↑
- Reported by Muslim (2114) ↑
- Reported by Muslim (2113) ↑
- Reported by Abu Dawoud (4231) and declared Hasan by Al-Albaani (Rahimahullaah) in Sunan Abu Dawoud (3560) ↑
- See, Jalabaat Al-Mar’ Al-Muslimah (p. 169) ↑
- Reported by Al-Bukhaari (332) and Muslim (2106) ↑
- For details, refer to the book, ‘I’anatul-Mustafeed’ (2/262-263) ↑
