Ramadan is the month of forgiveness
The month of Ramadan is distinguished with having special characteristics; that of the ‘expiation of sins’ and the ‘obliteration of evil deeds.’ The blessed person is he who reached Ramadan and spent its nights and days in obedience to Allaah and what He is pleased with. Accordingly, he deserves the forgiveness and attainment of the Pleasure of the King, Ad-Dayyan (the One Who Recompenses).
In contrast to him is the wretched person who entered this great month and did not perform righteous deeds that would have elevated him with his Lord, nor did he repent from his misdeeds which will cause him doom and disgrace. He wasted the days and nights of this month in what angered his Lord and caused him destruction. He did not take recourse in his Lord and ask Him for forgiveness of his sins and evil deeds. He remained on his obstinacy and crime.
The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Jibreel (‘Alayhis-salaam) came to me and said: ‘Wretched is the slave who goes through Ramadan and (obtaining no benefit from it) is not forgiven.’ I said: ‘Ameen.’ Then he (Jibreel) said: ‘Wretched is the slave whose parents, either one or both, are alive and they are not a means for him to enter Jannah (through obedience and attending to them).’ I said: ‘Ameen.’ Then he (Jibreel) said: ‘Wretched is the slave who, when you are mentioned in his presence, does not send (Salaat) upon you.’ I said: ‘Ameen.'” [Reported by Al-Bukhaari in Al-Adab al-Mufrad no. 644 and authenticated by Al-Albaani who graded it Saheeh Lighairihi]
Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “May the man before whom I am mentioned – and he does not send Salaat upon me – be humiliated. And may a man upon whom Ramadan enters and then passes before he is forgiven, be humiliated. And may a man whose parents reached old age in his presence, and they were not a cause for his entrance to Paradise, be humiliated.” [At-Tirmidhi no.3545 and authenticated by Al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jamie’ no. 3510 and graded Hasan]
It is incumbent upon a believing slave to take advantage of the goodness and blessings of this month and increase in seeking forgiveness to achieve and attain its innumerable blessed results (returns) and sublime benefits in this world and the Hereafter.
From its worldly benefits, is what is quoted in Allaah’s Statement in Surat Nuh (71:10-12):
فَقُلْتُ ٱسْتَغْفِرُوا۟ رَبَّكُمْ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ غَفَّارًا
“I, (Nuh) said: ‘Ask forgiveness of your Lord. Indeed, He is ever a Perpetual Forgiver.
يُرْسِلِ ٱلسَّمَآءَ عَلَيْكُم مِّدْرَارًا
He will send [rain from] the sky upon you in [continuing] showers.
وَيُمْدِدْكُم بِأَمْوَٰلٍ وَبَنِينَ وَيَجْعَل لَّكُمْ جَنَّٰتٍ وَيَجْعَل لَّكُمْ أَنْهَٰرًا
And give you increase in wealth and children and provide for you, gardens and provide for you rivers.’”
It is quoted in the Athar on the authority of Al-Hasan al-Basri (Rahimahullaah), that a man complained to him of a drought, so he (Al-Hasan) said: “Ask Allaah’s forgiveness!” Another person complained to him about poverty. He (Al-Hasan) said: “Ask Allaah’s forgiveness.” A third person complained to him about the barrenness of his garden. He (Al-Hasan) said: “Ask Allaah’s forgiveness.” A fourth person complained to him of not having children (barrenness), He (Al-Hasan) said: “Ask Allaah’s forgiveness.” Then he (Rahimahullaah) recited to them Allaah’s Statement about Nuh (‘Alayhis-salaam), i.e. the aforementioned verses of Surat Nuh.
This denotes that if you return to Allaah in repentance and ask Him forgiveness for your sins and obey Him, He (Ta’ala) will increase your provision for you and provide you water from the blessings of the sky. He (Ta’ala) will cause the blessings of the earth and crops to grow for you. He will increase your livestock animals for you and provide you with milk and give you more wealth and children. This means that He (Ta’ala) will give you more wealth, more children, and gardens with various types of fruits. He will cause rivers to flow among these gardens.” [Tafseer Ibn Katheer]
These fruits (abundant goodness and generous provisions, etc.) are attained by the slave in this worldly life due to his Istighfaar (asking forgiveness from Allaah). And in the Hereafter, he will attain an abundant and great (enormous) reward, mercy, and forgiveness in addition to redemption from Hellfire and safety from torment. This is a matter that no one can detail except Allaah (Ta’ala).
Ibn Maajah (Rahimahullaah) reported on the authority of `Abdullaah ibn Busr (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) that Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Tuba to those who find a lot of Istighfaar (seeking forgiveness) in the record of their deeds.” [Ibn Maajah no. 3818 and authenticated by Al-Albaani who graded it Hasan]
Tuba is a word that denotes either a glad tiding of Paradise, or a tree in Paradise, a good life or goodness generally.
At-Tabarani reported on the authority of Az-Zubair ibn Al-‘Awwam (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) that Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Whoever loves his record of deeds to bring him joy, let him increase in seeking forgiveness.” [Al-Silsilah as-Saheeha no. 2299 and Al-Albaani graded it Hasan]
It should be borne in mind that the meaning of Istighfaar (seeking forgiveness) is that which is joined with abandonment of the sin and one’s determination to abstain from committing it. In this case, the repentance of the person is considered a true repentance which obliterates all the previous sins. This is the Istighfaar (forgiveness) which Allaah recommends and recompenses its people with.
Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat Aal-‘Imraan (3:135-136):
وَٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا فَعَلُوا۟ فَٰحِشَةً أَوْ ظَلَمُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ ذَكَرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ فَٱسْتَغْفَرُوا۟ لِذُنُوبِهِمْ وَمَن يَغْفِرُ ٱلذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ وَلَمْ يُصِرُّوا۟ عَلَىٰ مَا فَعَلُوا۟ وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ
“And those who, when they commit an immorality or wrong themselves [by transgression], remember Allaah and seek forgiveness for their sins – and who can forgive sins except Allaah? – and [who] do not persist in what they have done while they know.”
أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ جَزَآؤُهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ وَجَنَّٰتٌ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَٰرُ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَاۚ وَنِعْمَ أَجْرُ ٱلْعَٰمِلِينَ
“Those, their reward is forgiveness from their Lord and gardens beneath which rivers flow [in Paradise], wherein they will abide eternally; and excellent is the reward of the [righteous] workers.”
Forgiveness has three great effects joined (mentioned) in the following Hadeeth:
Anas (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Allaah, Blessed is He and Most High said: ‘O son of Adam! Verily, as long as you called upon Me and hoped in Me, I forgave you, despite whatever may have occurred from you, and I did not mind. O son of Adam! Were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky, then you sought forgiveness from Me, I would forgive you, and I would not mind. O son of Adam! If you came to me with sins nearly as great as the earth, and then you met Me not associating anything with Me, I would come to you with forgiveness nearly as great as it.‘” [At-Tirmidhi no. 3540 and authenticated by Al-Albaani who graded it Hasan]
First: When a slave commits a sin, he should not hope for the forgiveness of it from other than his Lord, knowing that no one forgives sins and punishes for them except Him (Ta’ala).
Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that he heard the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) saying: “If somebody commits a sin and then says, ‘O my Lord! I have sinned, please forgive me!’ and, his Lord says, ‘My slave has known that he has a Lord Who forgives sins and punishes for them, I therefore have forgiven My slave (his sin). ‘Then he remains without committing any sin for a while and then again commits another sin and says, ‘O my Lord! I have committed another sin, please forgive me,’ and Allaah says, ‘My slave has known that he has a Lord Who forgives sins and punishes for them, I therefore have forgiven My slave (his sin). Then he remains without committing any sin for a while and then commits another sin (for the third time) and says, ‘O my Lord, I have committed another sin, please forgive me,’ and Allaah says, ‘My slave has known that he has a Lord Who forgives sins and punishes for them, I therefore have forgiven My slave (his sin), he can do whatever he likes.’” [Al-Bukhaari no.7507]
Note: This Hadeeth opens the gate of hope for the sinful slave and does not open the gate of committing sins boldly or daring to commit sins.
Second: Istighfaar (seeking forgiveness) is even if the sins were great and abundant to an extent that they reached the sky (the clouds), and it is said, ‘Up to where the eyes extend.’
Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “By the One in Whose Hand is the soul of Muhammad, if you committed sins till your sins filled that which is between the heavens and the earth and then asked Allaah for forgiveness, He would forgive you your sins.” [Reported by Ahmad no.13493 and graded Hasan by Al-Albaani in Al-Silsilah as-Saheeha no. 1951]
Istighfaar is asking for the Maghfirah (forgiveness). Al-Maghfirah is protection from the evil consequences of the sins with their concealment. If the Istighfaar is joined with Tawbah (repentance), Istighfaar becomes in this case, asking forgiveness with tongue and Tawbah (repentance) is quitting the sins by heart and limbs.
Third: At-Tawheed is the greatest means. Whoever loses it, then he has lost the forgiveness, and whoever brings the Tawheed, indeed he has brought the greatest means of forgiveness. This is because Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat An-Nisaa’ (4:48):
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَغۡفِرُ أَن يُشۡرَكَ بِهِۦ وَيَغۡفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَٰلِكَ لِمَن يَشَآءُۚ وَمَن يُشۡرِكۡ بِٱللَّهِ فَقَدِ ٱفۡتَرَىٰٓ إِثۡمًا عَظِيمًا
“Verily, Allaah forgives not that partners should be set up with Him in worship, but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He pleases, and whoever sets up partners with Allaah in worship, he has indeed invented a tremendous sin.”
Allaah’s forgiveness is so vast and extensive that if one believes in His Oneness and does not make anyone His partner nor associate anyone with Him, He will forgive all his sins.
2- The Gates of Jannah are opened in Ramadan
It is reported by Al-Bukhaari and Muslim on the authority of Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu), that Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “When the month of Ramadan comes, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of the (Hell) Fire are closed, and the devils are chained.” [Al-Bukhaari no. 3277 and Muslim no.1079]
Jannah (Paradise) is the mercy of Allaah with which He (Ta’ala) shows mercy to whomever He wills of His slaves. It is Darus-Salam, i.e. the abode of peace, the abode which Allaah bestowed upon the Prophets, Siddiqeen (those followers of the Prophets who were first and foremost to believe in them), Martyrs and the Righteous. Underneath it, rivers flow and its palaces are made of bricks of silver and bricks of gold. Its mortar is musk of strong fragrance, its pebbles are pearls and rubies, and its earth is saffron. Its tents are made of hollowed pearls of which the length will be sixty miles in the sky. It is light that is shining, therein are flowing rivers, fruits and greenery and beautiful wives. In it are thornless lote-trees and banana trees with fruits piled one above another and its shade is long-extended, and its water is flowing constantly. Its dwellers are eating and living in delight; they will not need to urinate or discharge feces or spit or blow their noses. Their sweat will smell like musk, they will never die, and they will stay young (they will never become old); they will be in constant bliss. Their faces will be bright, laughing and rejoicing with clean beauty.
In it are wives of Houris. Its delight is eternal, everything in it is smiling. In it, the veil will be lifted up and they will look at the glorious Countenance of the All-Mighty, the Bestower. No matter how much anyone wills to describe the reality of Paradise and its delight, they will not be able to do so. This is because it is beyond imagination; higher than what one’s mind can perceive.
Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Allaah said: ‘I have prepared for My pious slaves, things which have neither been seen by an eye, nor heard by an ear, nor (even) imagined by a human being. If you wish, you can recite this verse from the Noble Qur’an: ‘No person knows what is kept hidden for them of joy.’ [Surat As-Sadjah (32:17)].” [Al-Bukhaari no. 3244]
The People of Paradise will enter it in groups. Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat Az -Zumar (39:73):
وَسِيقَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوۡاْ رَبَّهُمۡ إِلَى ٱلۡجَنَّةِ زُمَرًاۖ
“And those who kept their duty to their Lord will be led to Paradise in groups.”
Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “The first group of people who will enter Paradise will be glittering like the moon on a full-moon night, and those who will follow them will glitter like the most brilliant star in the sky. They will not urinate, relieve nature, spit, or have any nasal secretions. Their combs will be of gold and their sweat will smell like musk. Aloes-wood will be used in their censers. Their wives will be Houris. All of them will look alike as if they are one person, in the image of their father Adam, sixty cubits tall.” [Al-Bukhaari no. 3327]
It is confirmed in the Sunnah that Jannah has eight gates.
Imaam Ahmad reported in his Musnad on the authority of Luqait ibn Aamir (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) when he came to the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) as a delegate: “…..And verily, Paradise has eight gates, the distance between every two gates is traversed by a rider in seventy years.” [Musnad Ahmad no. 16155]
One of these gates is called Ar-Rayyan, through which only those who fast will enter.
Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that he heard Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) saying: “Anybody who spends two things in Allaah’s Cause will be called from all the gates of Paradise, ‘O Allaah’s slave! This is good.’ He who is amongst those who offer Salaat (prayer) will be called from the gate of Salaat (prayer) (in Paradise) and he who is from the people of Jihaad, will be called from the gate of Jihaad, and he who is from those who give Sadaqah (charity, Zakaat, etc.), will be called from the gate of Sadaqah, and he who is amongst those who observe Sawm (fast) will be called from the gate of Ar-Rayyan.” Abu Bakr (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) said: “He who is called from all those gates will need nothing.” He added, “Will anyone be called from all those gates, O Allaah’s Messenger?” He (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Yes, and I hope you will be among those, O Abu Bakr.” [Al-Bukhaari no. 3666]
Ibn Al-Qayyim (Rahimahullaah) said: “When the endeavor of As-Siddiq [i.e. Abu Bakr as-Siddiqe (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu)] became lofty to perfect the ranks of Imaan and his own self looked forward to be called from all those gates, he asked Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam): “Would that happen to anyone amongst people in order for him to earnestly work to attain that?” The Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) gave him the glad tiding that he is from amongst those who will be called from all these gates. It is as if Abu Bakr (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) enquired if these ranks were completed for anyone such that he will be called on the Day of Judgment from all these gates.”
“How lofty and exalted is the endeavor of this soul.” [Haadi al-Arwaah pp.222]
Al-Hafidh Ibn Hajar (Rahimahullaah) said: “The Hadeeth indicates that only a very few people will be called from all the gates of Paradise. Also, the Hadeeth points to the voluntary acts that the person performs and not the obligatory acts. This is because many Muslims perform all obligatory acts, but only a few perform all kinds of voluntary acts. And whoever gathered for himself all these acts, will be called from all the gates as an honor for him, although his entrance will be from one gate of the deed which he performed more than the other acts and was dominant, and Allaah knows best. [Fat-h al-Bari no. 7135, the Book of Merits of the Sahabah, Hadeeth no. 3666]
The pleasure of the people of Paradise is never exhausted (doesn’t come to an end) neither is their delight cut off. Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat Ar-Ra’d (13:35):
أُكُلُهَا دَآئِمٞ وَظِلُّهَاۚ
“Its provision is eternal and so is its shade.”
The absolute and most sublime delight of the people of Paradise is their seeing Allaah, the Blessed the Most High, and gazing (glancing) at Him in Jannah.
Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat Yunus (10:26):
لِّلَّذِينَ أَحۡسَنُواْ ٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰ وَزِيَادَةٞۖ
“For those who have done good is the best (reward, i.e. Paradise) and even more (i.e. having the honor of glancing at the Countenance of Allaah).”
Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat Qaaf (50:35):
لَهُم مَّا يَشَآءُونَ فِيهَا وَلَدَيۡنَا مَزِيدٞ
“There they will have all that they desire, and We have more (for them, i.e. a glance at the All-Mighty, All-Majestic).”
The “more” in the previous verses is explained and interpreted as ‘Seeing Allaah (Ta’ala) in Jannah.’
Muslim reported on the authority of Suhaib (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) that the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “When the people of Paradise have entered Paradise, Allaah, Blessed is He and Most High, will say: ‘Do you want anything more?’ They will say: ‘Have you not brightened our faces, admitted us to Paradise, and saved us from the Fire?’ Then He will remove the Veil, and they will not be given anything that is dearer to them than gazing upon their Lord [the Mighty and Sublime].” [Muslim no. 181]
It was narrated by Hammad ibn Salamah with this chain (a Hadeeth similar to no. 449), and he added, then he (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) recited this verse:
لِّلَّذِينَ أَحۡسَنُواْ ٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰ وَزِيَادَةٞۖ
“For those who have done good is the best (reward, i.e. Paradise) and even more (i.e. having the honor of glancing at the Countenance of Allaah).” [Surat Yunus 10:26]
Jannah (Paradise) is Allaah’s most precious good which is not attained by mere wishes; rather, it is attained by Tawheed (belief in the Oneness) of Allaah, faith and performing righteous good deeds. This is what is indicated by the Qur’an and authentic Sunnah.
Shaikhul-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (Rahimahullaah) said: “The action of the people of Paradise (in this world) is Imaan (belief) and Taqwa (piety), and the action of the people of Hell is Kufr (disbelief), Fusuq (disobedience to Allaah) and Isyan (rebellion).
The deeds of the people of Paradise: Belief in Allaah, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers, belief in the Last Day and the Decree, the good of it and the evil. Also (from their deeds) is Shahadatain, i.e. to testify that there is no god who deserves to be worshipped except Allaah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah, to establish the Salaat (prayer), give the Zakaat, fast Ramadan, perform Hajj to the House of Allaah and worship Allaah as if you see Him and if you cannot reach to this state of devotion, then know that He sees you.
From the deeds of the people of Paradise are: truthful speech, rendering (fulfilling) the trust, fulfilling the covenants, dutifulness to parents, keeping good relations with kith and kin, doing good to the neighbors, to the orphans, to the slaves among humans and to the animals.
Also, from the actions of the people of Paradise are: sincerity to Allaah, reliance on Him, loving Him and His Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), fearing Allaah, hoping for His Mercy, returning to Him in repentance, being patient with His Commands and Decisions, and being grateful for His Blessings and Bounties.
Further actions of the people of Paradise are: recitation of Qur’an, Dhikr (remembering Allaah), invoking Him, asking Him and desiring to meet Him, Enjoining the Ma’rouf and forbidding the Munkar and Jihaad (striving hard) in the Cause of Allaah against the disbelievers and hypocrites.
In addition, from their actions is to join the relations with those who severed them, and giving those who stopped giving them, and to pardon those who wronged them. Verily, Allaah has prepared Paradise for the pious who spend [in Allaah’s Cause- deeds of charity, alms, etc.] in prosperity and in adversity, who repress anger and who pardon men; verily, Allaah loves the good-doers.
From among the deeds of the people of Paradise is justice in all their affairs and with all the creation of Allaah, even with the disbelievers, and so forth of these deeds.” [Majmoo’ al-Fatawa]
Let one who knows about Jannah and its delight hasten to compete and race to attain it, for its gates are wide open and its signs are clear and the ways to it are manifest.
3- Enchaining of the Devils in Ramadan
One of the characteristics of the month of Ramadan is the enchaining of devils and the chained demons in it.
Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “When the month of Ramadan comes, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of (Hell) Fire are closed, and the devils are chained.” [Saheeh Al-Bukhaari no. 3277]
Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “When Ramadan begins, the gates of mercy are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained up.” [An-Nasaa’i no. 2105, and authenticated by Al-Albaani who graded it Saheeh in Saheeh al-Jamie’ no. 6995]
Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) also narrated that the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “On the first night of the month of Ramadan, the Shayateen (devils) are shackled, the giant Jinn are restrained and the gates of the Fire are shut such that no gate among them would be opened. The gates of Paradise are opened such that no gate among them would be closed, and a caller calls: ‘O seeker of the good, come near!’ and ‘O seeker of evil, stop! For there are those whom Allaah frees from the Fire.’ And that is every night.” [At-Tirmidhi no. 682 and authenticated by Al-Albaani who graded it Hasan]
Shaikhul-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (Rahimahullaah) said: “Enchaining the devils caused weakening of their focus and their actions, so they could not do in the month of Ramadan what they used to do in other months. It is not said that they were killed or died; rather, he (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said that they were enchained. The enchained devils may harm us, but this is less and weaker than in other than Ramadan. This is according to a person’s perfection or deficiency in his fasting. Those whose fasting is perfect and complete, will give the devil a strong push which deficient fasting cannot do.” [Majmoo’ al-Fatawa 25/ 246]
Many among the people today (in the present time) ignore or are ignorant of the matter of the Shaytaan. They do not realize the extent of his plot and enmity to the sons of Adam; how he is keen to bring them out of Allaah’s Mercy and His Pleasure, and make them to fall into His Wrath, anger and (hell) Fire.
Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat Faatir (35:6):
إِنَّ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنَ لَكُمۡ عَدُوّٞ فَٱتَّخِذُوهُ عَدُوًّاۚ إِنَّمَا يَدۡعُواْ حِزۡبَهُۥ لِيَكُونُواْ مِنۡ أَصۡحَٰبِ ٱلسَّعِيرِ
“Surely, Shaytaan (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.”
This enmity is continuous till the Day of Resurrection. Whoever is occupied in this noble month with other than Allaah’s obedience, for example in sins, play, amusement, staying up late at night in vain gatherings and watching unlawful matters on the TV or media, indeed (truly) the Shaytaan has overcome him and dominated him. The plot of Shaytaan hardly can be restricted to these matters.
Ibn Al-Qayyim (Rahimahullaah) mentioned in his book “Ighathatul-Lahfaan”, that there are many plots of Shaytaan which he makes against the servants of Allaah. “Of his plots for the human beings is that he (the Shaytaan) makes evil seem fair to them, i.e. by presenting and driving them to a means in which one thinks there is benefit, then making them proceed to sources of his destruction. Afterward, when a person falls into that matter which is a source of his destruction, the Shaytaan leaves him alone and rejoices, laughing at the misfortune of the human being.
For example, he (the Shaytaan) commands the son of Adam to steal, or to commit Zina (adultery) or kill someone, then he (the Shaytaan) scandalizes him and discloses his matter.
Allaah says in Surat Al-Anfaal (8:48):
وَإِذۡ زَيَّنَ لَهُمُ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنُ أَعۡمَٰلَهُمۡ وَقَالَ لَا غَالِبَ لَكُمُ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ مِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ وَإِنِّي جَارٞ لَّكُمۡۖ فَلَمَّا تَرَآءَتِ ٱلۡفِئَتَانِ نَكَصَ عَلَىٰ عَقِبَيۡهِ وَقَالَ إِنِّي بَرِيٓءٞ مِّنكُمۡ إِنِّيٓ أَرَىٰ مَا لَا تَرَوۡنَ إِنِّيٓ أَخَافُ ٱللَّهَۚ وَٱللَّهُ شَدِيدُ ٱلۡعِقَابِ
“And (remember) when Shaytaan (Satan) made their (evil) deeds seem fair to them and said, ‘No one of mankind can overcome you this Day (of the battle of Badr) and verily, I am your neighbor (for each and every help).’ But when the two forces came in sight of each other, he ran away and said: ‘Verily, I have nothing to do with you. Verily! I see what you see not. Verily! I fear Allaah for Allaah is Severe in punishment.’”
“Shaytaan” came on the day of Badr in the shape of Suraqah ibn Malik ibn Ju’shum and said to the idolators: “I am your protector against Bani Kinanah harming your families and children. When he (the Shaytaan) witnessed the soldiers of Allaah and the angels coming to the aid of Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), he fled, leaving the idolators to meet their destiny.
Shaytaan made the idolators’ purpose for marching seem fair to them. Shaytaan did likewise to the monk when he lured him to commit Zina with a woman. And then, when the woman became pregnant, the Shaytaan suggested to the monk, that he kill the woman and her son. Then Shaytaan disclosed his matter to the family of the woman. When the monk asked the help of Shaytaan, he commanded him to prostrate to him. When the man obeyed him and prostrated, Shaytaan disowned him and declared himself free of his action. Allaah (Ta’ala) revealed the verses of Surat Al-Hashr (59:16) regarding this matter:
كَمَثَلِ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنِ إِذۡ قَالَ لِلۡإِنسَٰنِ ٱكۡفُرۡ فَلَمَّا كَفَرَ قَالَ إِنِّي بَرِيٓءٞ مِّنكَ إِنِّيٓ أَخَافُ ٱللَّهَ رَبَّ ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ
“(Their allies deceived them) like Shaytaan (Satan), when he says to man: ‘Disbelieve in Allaah.’ But when (man) disbelieves in Allaah, Shaytaan (Satan) says: ‘I am free of you, I fear Allaah, the Lord of the ‘Alameen (mankind, Jinn and all that exists)!’”
The context of this verse is not particular to the aforementioned story. Rather, it is general with regards to everyone who obeys the Shaytaan in what he (Shaytaan) commands them by disbelieving (in Allaah) in order to help them. When they fall into the trap and their doom becomes imminent, he disavows and abandons them and declares himself free of them when they enter Hellfire, saying to them:
نِّي كَفَرۡتُ بِمَآ أَشۡرَكۡتُمُونِ مِن قَبۡلُۗ
“I deny your former act in associating me (Satan) as a partner with Allaah (by obeying me in the life of the world).” [Surat Ibraheem (14:22)]
So, he leads them to the most evil of affairs and then totally dissociates from them.
From the plots of the enemy of Allaah is that he frightens the believers from among his hosts and allies. Hence, the believers will not fight against them, or enjoin the good to them or forbid them from evil. This is one of the greatest plots of Shaytaan with the believers. Allaah (Ta’ala) has informs us about this in Surat Aal-‘Imraan (3:175):
إِنَّمَا ذَٰلِكُمُ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنُ يُخَوِّفُ أَوۡلِيَآءَهُۥ فَلَا تَخَافُوهُمۡ وَخَافُونِ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤۡمِنِينَ
“It is only Shaytaan (Satan) that suggests to you, the fear of his Awliyaa [supporters and friends (polytheists, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allaah and in His Messenger, Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)], so fear them not, but fear Me, if you are (true) believers.”
The interpreters said that the Shaytaan frightens the believers of his Awliyaa [supporters and friends (polytheists, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allaah and in His Messenger, Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)] i.e. Shaytaan threatens the believers with his friends and tries to pretend that they are powerful and fearsome.
Qatadah said: “The Shaytaan tries to magnify his Awliyaa in the hearts of the believers; therefore, Allaah (Ta’ala) says:
فَلَا تَخَافُوهُمۡ وَخَافُونِ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤۡمِنِينَ
“So fear them not, but fear Me, if you are (true) believers.”
As the faith of the slave is strengthened, his fear of the allies of Shaytaan will be removed from his heart; and as his faith is weakened, his fear of the allies of Shaytaan will increase.”
– From the plots of the Shaytaan is that he bewitches (captivates, fascinates) the mind continuously till he deceives it. No one is safe from his charms (allurement) except whom Allaah wills. Shaytaan beautifies (adorns) the action that harms a person until he (the person) imagines that it is the most beneficial of things. And he (Shaytaan) uglifies and causes aversion to the action which is the most beneficial of matters to him until he imagines it as harmful. “La ilaha ill Allaah” none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah!! How many people are afflicted with this charm, and how constantly does he come between the hearts and Islam, Imaan and Ihsaan.
How much he makes the falsehood appear fair seeming and uglifies the truth and makes it appear offensive.
How many times he garnishes falsely to the criticizers and promoted (popularized) the debasement of the knowledgeable!
It is he who fascinated the minds until he threw their owners into different whims and divergent opinions; he led them to the ways of misguidance and threw them into destruction followed by another destruction (doomed matters). He adorned to them, idol worshipping, severing relations with kith and kin, killing daughters, and marrying their mothers. He promised them the attainment of Paradise despite their disbelief, disobedience and rebellion. He made Shirk appear great in their hearts and belittled disbelief in Allaah’s Attributes, His Highness over His Throne and His Speech in His Books. He made abandoning the enjoining of Ma’rouf (the good) and forbidding the Munkar (evil) a means of endearment (courtship) to people and good conduct with them, acting upon Allaah’s Statement in Surat Al-Maa’idah (5:105):
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ عَلَيۡكُمۡ أَنفُسَكُمۡۖ
“O you who believe! Take care of your own selves, [do righteous deeds, fear Allaah much (abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which He has forbidden) and love Allaah much (perform all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained)].”
And he made turning away from what was brought by the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) seem like blind imitation and being satisfied with the statement of those who are more learnt than them and made hypocrisy and compromising in religion out of courtesy, a kind of intellectual cohabitation (living) with people.
He was the companion of our parents (Adam and Eve) when he brought them out of Paradise, he was the companion of Qabil when he killed his brother, he was the companion of the people of Nuh (Alayhis-salaam) when they were drowned, and the people of ‘Aad when they were destroyed with barren winds, the companion of the people of Prophet Salih (Alayhis-salaam) when they were destroyed with the awful cry, and the companion of the people of sodomy when they were swallowed by the earth followed with stoning, he was the companion of Fir’awn and his people when they were punished with a strong punishment, the companion of the worshippers of the calf and what happened to them, and he was the companion of Quraish when they were called to fight on the day of Badr, and the companions of every person who is afflicted with Fitnah.” [Ighathatul-Lahfan 1/125]
This is the enemy whose descriptions are clearly shown, and his signs are apparently shown. He calls his party to be dwellers of the blazing Fire and he takes any way that fulfils that for him.
Some of the Salaf used to say: “Any command Allaah commands with, but the Shaytaan has two whispers regarding it; either negligence and shortening or excessiveness and extremity. He doesn’t care which of these deviations he gets from the slave.” [Al-Wabil al-Sayyib pp.24]
Let everyone look into his self and his actions; does he respond to the Shaytaan and his traps; or he will hasten to repent to Allaah and quit that which he is on of misguidance and evil, declaring his enmity to this deadly (inveterate, stubborn) enemy, and he is in Allaah’s protection and guardianship, so he will thank Allaah for that and ask Allaah for steadfastness and exert his utmost to increase in performing righteous good deeds. The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) used to seek refuge in Allaah profusely from the Shaytaan and teach his companions that: in Surat Al-Mu’minun (23:97-98), Allaah (Ta’ala) says:
وَقُل رَّبِّ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ هَمَزَٰتِ ٱلشَّيَٰطِينِ
“And say, ‘My Lord, I seek refuge in You from the incitements of the devils,
وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ رَبِّ أَن يَحْضُرُونِ
And I seek refuge in You, my Lord, lest they be present with me.’”
Source:
Maqaalaat Ramadaniyah by Shaikh ‘Abdur-Razzaq al-Badr
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