Class # 9 18th Jumada Al Awwal 1439, 4th February 2018

Protection from the traps of shaithan

Shaithan does not have control over those who have ikhlas (sincerity) to Allah. If depends on us- we give a ‘pass’ to shaithan to affect us by lack of ikhlas. The one who is sincere does not have the duniya as a goal, they do not believe in superstitions, nor do major sins, do not show-off with their good deeds, don’t do shirk nor attach to the means. This means that everything they do- they do it only for the sake of Allah. When we slip because of our sins, it opens the door for shaithan to enter. Allah is الــحــــــــــــــــــلــيــم- the Most Forbearing and He gives us chances but we need to take care of our ikhlas.

Plots of shaithan to different groups of people

#3 To the people of hadith

(مكائد الشيطان على اصحاب الحديث)

The people of hadith are those who travel and strive only for the sake of hadith. Ibn Al Jawzi (رحــــــمه اهلل) said that some people spend all their life only listening and memorizing hadith. They even memorize the long chain of narrators but they do not apply the hadith. This is similar to plot to the recitors of the Qur’an to make them focus on recitation and memorization without action. If you are 100% focused only on reciting and memorizing, then it distracts you from acting upon the knowledge. Allah sent us the Qur’an and hadith for us to act upon it. It is easy for them to memorize but shaithan plots against them and they easily judge others and backbite them.

#4 To the people of fiqh

(مكائد الشيطان على اصحاب الفقه)

Shaithan plots against the people of fiqh by digging into small matters of fish. Even in salah, they are thinking about this small matter though it is a minor issue. Learning fiqh only can lead to hardening of the heart. You need to mix it with heart softeners. Don’t underestimate fiqh or hadith- they are important Islamic sciences, however one needs to mix it with heart softeners. Fiqh will not soften the heart. Differences of opinion in fiqh can also be a distraction. A man said that one hadith that softens my heart is more beloved to me than any matter of fiqh. The fuqaha (those specializing in fiqh) of the past generations were all people of the Qur’an. However, nowadays you see those who are specializing only on fiqh.

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Class # 9 18th Jumada Al Awwal 1439, 4th February 2018

#5 Stories and speech to make someone cry

(الوعيد والقصص)From the plots of shaihtan is to make people attracted to speeches just for the intention of crying. Crying is not a goal but people are attracted to this. Islam is against making people miserable. Ladies are especially attracted to this kind of emotional speech. This is crying without any action. The objective of listening stories should be to derive lessons and learn from them. To learn what does Allah want from me.

#6 Language and etiquette

(اللغة واألدب)From the plots of shaihtan is to make people focus and indulge only on arabic language and matters of etiquette. The Qur’an was sent to wake up the heart and focusing only on language can be a distraction.

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