Eerie Reality | Part 2

The world wide use of the internet has brought about sweeping changes to the way we look at things. I had expressed some of what I felt in my last post here. Anyway, I decided not to rant about it any further, in sha Allah. The reason being that, we all are well-aware of what we do, what we see and what we speak every day. We know that we are lacking a great deal in being good Muslims. We know that we knowingly commit sins, at times. However, if we shun these trivial sins, it would bring about a big leap towards our journey to ihsan (perfection). Yes, you read it right. Steering clear of “small” sins will help us achieve “big” things in our Deen. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said,

“Beware of minor sins, for they will pile up until they destroy a person.” (Recorded by Ahmad)

So, avoiding small sins will ward of big evils, will prevent our self-destruction. The state of affairs today is so gruesome that people don’t hesitate in committing major sins, zina (fornication/adultery) for instance. We are so deluded by this worldly pleasures that the wrong path is welcoming to us and the right path seems hazy, difficult and impossible to tread. We are doing nothing but destroying our own selves, with our very own acts. Before we become habituated to evil ways, we need to turn on a new leaf. We need to take quick steps towards forgiveness from our Lord, towards righteousness.

Now the question is, How exactly do we save our souls from the widespread corruption?

Here are a few pointers:

1. A complete cut-off aka Hijrah: 

If we fear fitnah, if we are intimidated by the evils around us and the blatant display of vulgarity that poses a threat to our Iman (faith), then we should move away as far away from it as possible. Remember the story of the seven youth who feared the fitnah of their idolatrous people and fled to the cave to protect themselves and their Iman. Allah ‘azza wa jall made them a sign for the entire world to witness. As a side note, this does not in any way justify retreating to a cave and living life as a monk! In fact, monasticism is a bid’ah. It is foreign to Islam. If we have the means to migrate to an Islamic state or to any other place where Islam is widely practiced, then we should go ahead. All in an attempt to please are Creator, Allah ‘azza wa jall.

But the issue is more serious than it seems. We are never really free of that wide window that openly displays immodesty. Yup, the internet. The solution is the same: Do hijrah. Hijrah from pornographic sites to Islamic sites, from music downloading sites to Tilawatul Quran sites, from vulgar novels to Books of tafseer, ahadeeth and now we even have awesome Muslim novel writers, Alhamdulillah!

2. Repentance:

We all are bound to make mistakes. No one is perfect. In fact, there’s this reassuring hadith of Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) for those who commit sins,

“Every son of Adam sins, and the best of those who sin are those who repent.” (Recorded by At-Tirmidhi)

Making mistakes and falling short are undoubtedly part of human nature and no one will be free of shortcomings in his obedience to Allah, or free of mistakes or forgetfulness or sins. But, what’s important is that we repent and we try our best to screen ourselves from that sin. If we fall again, not a problem unless we repent. Allah is All-Merciful. However, Allah’s subhanahu wa ta’ala forgiving nature should not be taken as a leeway for committing sins on purpose, hoping that He ‘azza wa jal will forgive. Allah Knows our deepest secrets. Who are we fooling when we knowingly and repeatedly commit sins? We are fooling ourselves – A realization that should strike hard. When we realize this completely, we’ll know that by succumbing to the whispers of Shaytan, we are leading to self-destruction.

3.Engaging in Dhikr/Ibaadah:

Why don’t we keep our tongues moist with the remembrance of Allah ‘azza wa jal, instead of humming away songs?! If we feel tempted to waste time by watching an adult movie, we can try and give a hard kick to these temptations and welcome in good thoughts like praying two voluntary rak’ahs of salaah. What’s the harm in trying? Oh yeah, self-talk helps in this. Whenever I’m tempted to do something that is disliked in Islam, I try and have a conversation with myself, weighing the pros and cons. At times, I do fail. But, those moments when I succeed in warding off evil after a self-talk, I’m on cloud nine. Believe me, it feels great. May Allah ‘azza wa jal protect us from evil and keep our feet firm on the Straight Path. Ameen.

4. Hifdh:

Reciting from the last and final revelation of Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala sure brings peace to the mind and protects us from evil. Memorizing the divine verses is a blessing in itself. The Sahabah used to be immersed deeply in their study of the Quran, as it was being revealed. What a blessed life they lived, subhanAllah! Following in their footsteps, we should also try to expend our efforts in memorizing, beautifying our recitation, learning the rules of tajweed, reading the translation, going through the tafseer, etc.

The above are but a few ways which can protect us from committing sins. When our intention is sincere, Allah ‘azza wa jal opens up amazing pathways for us which leave us spellbound. The reward for one righteous act is more righteousness.

“Is the reward for good [anything] but good?” (Surah Ar-Rahman, 55:60)

Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala Loves His sincere slaves and guides them in doing righteous deeds. May Allah ‘azza wa jal make us from among His righteous slaves. Ameen.

Another question that arises is, Can we bring about a change in our corrupt surroundings?

Definitely, inshaAllah!

Here’s how:

1.Change begins within:

How can we affect the surroundings if we ourselves fail to bring about a positive change in our soul? We must start with ourselves. Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala won’t change the condition of a people until they change themselves! How often is this verse reiterated in the Glorious Quran!?! We may not be as aware of this verse of The Glorious Quran as much as we are aware of this famous saying that circulates on facebook, twitter, tumblr, etc: “Be the change you want to see in the world”. Anyway, the point is that change begins within. Basically, it’s like a chain reaction. It starts of small and ends up being a revolution. Let’s wash away the stains of evil that worldly desires have left on our souls. Let’s purify ourselves for a greater purpose of existence, i.e. worshiping Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala completely. Let’s change our perspectives, for the better. Bi ithnillah.

2. Da’wah:

“And who is better in speech than one who invites to Allah and does righteousness and says, “Indeed, I am of the Muslims.” (Surah Fussilat, 41:33)

This verse says it all.

3. Fostering a sense of brotherhood in our hearts:

Anything done together reaps abundant rewards and long lasting benefits. The division in our Ummah is another sad story. With our Ummah dividing every now and then on petty issues, how are we supposed to strengthen our bonds?  How will we help each other in warding of evil and establishing good? Brotherhood is the sunnah of the last and final Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). In the establishment of the Madinan society, establishing brotherhood among the Aws and the Khazraj was one of the most important issues that he (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) addressed. These two blessed tribes of the Ansars forgot their age-old rivalry and became close-knitted brothers, loving each other for the sake of Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala. SubhanAllah. Definitely, a huge lesson for us to learn!

Needless to say, our constant support in these trying times is making dua’a to Allah ‘azza wa jal. We need to make dua constantly, irrespective of how soon it is answered. Let us make it a habit to unconditionally make dua’a for our fellow brothers and sisters in Islam and for the Non-Muslims, asking Allah subhanahu to guide them to Islam. All we have to do is ask, Allah ‘azza wa jal Hears and He is the One Who accepts dua.

“And your Lord says, “Call upon Me; I will respond to you.”…..” (Surah Ghafir, 40:60)

All things beneficial in this post is from Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala. All the mistakes are from me or Shaytan’s handiwork. May Allah ‘azza wa jal forgive me for my mistakes and guide us all, keeping our feet firm on the Straight path. Ameen.

May Allah reward you for taking the time to read, dear reader. Do leave your feedback or share something beneficial in the comments section for all of us to benefit, inshaAllah.

Verses from quran.com