Man’s overt enemy called Shaytan (II)
The Shaytan forever stays in the way of a believer whenever he/she intends to observe a voluntary fast; give out alms (sadaqah); offer monetary assistance to those in need; visit the sick; observe prayers in congregation; attend preaching sessions; etc. The Shaytan encourages and supports man each time he resolves to engage in alcoholism, adultery, […]
The Shaytan forever stays in the way of a believer whenever he/she intends to observe a voluntary fast; give out alms (sadaqah); offer monetary assistance to those in need; visit the sick; observe prayers in congregation; attend preaching sessions; etc. The Shaytan encourages and supports man each time he resolves to engage in alcoholism, adultery, theft, gambling, backbiting, envy, telling lies, and other immoral acts. The Shaytan, of course, finds pleasure in the evils that sinful men and women do.
The Shaytan eases the way to unrighteousness for those who choose to be sinful. Sometimes, it is when the call to prayer (adhan) is announced that the Shaytan reminds a worshipper of those mundane or routine duties he has not done; in order to distract him (the worshipper) from observing the prayer promptly and in congregation. It is then Shaytan’s prey (believing man or woman) remembers that he/she needs to make phone calls; send SMS or e-mails; join fuel or kerosene queues; go to car wash or barbing saloon; or pick some items at the supermarket.
The Shaytan gets angry when a believer remains determined and committed to the course of guidance. Whenever the Shaytan succeeds in sneaking in to the heart of man, he blindfolds his victim who consequently becomes feebly unable to distinguish right from wrong; and truth from falsehood. Some of the traits that might suggest an individual acting under the influence of the Shaytan include the fact that such a person generally becomes quarrelsome and disposed to unnecessary anger over trivial issues. The Shaytan ensures that his prey becomes disorganized in his affairs; stimulating him to doing things hastily including prayer and other acts of worship. The Shaytan creates suspicion in the mind of his prey about other people’s words and actions with a motive to causing disagreements that are founded on envy; eventually leading to discord, confusion, chaos and conflicts among couples, siblings, close friends, colleagues, communities and nations. Allah (SWT) states in Qur’an 5:94 “Shaytan’s plans is (but) to excite enmity and hatred between you, with intoxicants and gambling and hinder you from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer; will ye not then abstain?”
Those who allow their body especially the heart to become porous to Shaytan’s plots are easily instigated against those who under normal circumstances should be dear and highly treasured by them including husband, wife/wives, father, mother, son, daughter and other family relations. The Shaytan should be the prime suspect if squabbles become too frequent among couples or family relations especially when the cause(s) of such bickering is/are over flimsy matters.
It is equally Shaytan’s handiwork to create doubts in the minds of a worshipper during the observance of the five daily prayers. The shaytan always strives to confuse his prey about the number of raka’ats so far observed in a prayer. The Shaytan tosses around with a worshipper’s thoughts during prayer and takes him to far-fetched distances over issues that are better imagined. Although the Shaytan is of the Jinn race, he has progeny among mankind. Scholars interpret “his progeny” in Qur’an 18:50 to include all his followers among mankind. In fact, even the evil thoughts born in man out of Shaytan’s influence are Shaytan’s progeny.
There are several ways through which we can safeguard our faith, thoughts and actions from the evil machinations of the Shaytan. Qur’an 7:200 exhorts us to seek refuge with Allah (SW) against Shaytan by saying “A udhu Bi-llahi Minas-Shaytanir Rajim” whenever an evil thought assails our minds. One vital way of precluding the Shaytan from sneaking in to our hearts is by leaving no gap between our shoulders and feet whenever we stand in rows in a congregational prayer. It is through such gaps (when they are left) that the Shaytan creeps unto our minds to set us up against each other.
We are advised to cover the mouth with a handkerchief or with the sleeve of our shirt or garment each time we yawn or sneeze; saying the right supplication. Women should ensure that their hair and other naked parts of the body are covered as required by Shari’ah. It is sunnah to begin every act (spiritual or worldly) including putting on clothes and eating food by saying “Bismi-llahir Rahmanir Rahim”; to keep Shaytan away. We are encouraged to know and say the supplications recommended by the Prophet (SAW) for entering and leaving the toilet; for “sunnah” between couples to protect the prospective child from Shaytan’s harm.
As Shaytan exonerates himself each time he succeeds in getting sinners in to the sludge, so will he disown his victims in the hereafter. Qur’an 59:16 states (Their allies deceived them), like the evil one when he says to man, ‘Deny Allah’; when (man) denies Allah, (the evil one) says, ‘I am free of thee: I do fear Allah, the Lord of the Worlds!” May Allah (SWT) guide and protect us from the evil of the sneaking whisperer, amin.