THE POISONED-ARROWS OF SHAYTĀN

[ummtaalib]

Evil Glances

THE POISONED-ARROWS OF SHAYTĀN

 

 

In this era of modern technology and scientific revolution, the temptations of Zinā (adultery) have reached such levels which are indescribable in mere words. Hakīmul Ummah, Maulānā Ashraf Ali al-Thānwi (r.a) once said: “Love affairs are the wrath of Allāh Ta’ālā. Just as a person will be restless in the fire of hell, so is he whilst in a love affair.”

 

Rasūlullah (S.A.W) said:” Allāh Ta’ālā curses the one who casts evil glances and the one who present himself/herself to be looked upon.” That is, those who go around casting evil glances as well as those who invite others towards this evil by gallivanting immodestly.

 

Rasūlullah (S.A.W) said: “Evil glance is one of the poisoned arrows of Shaytān, (whoever indulges in casting furtive evil glances) on him be Allāh’s curse. Whoever forsakes it for the fear of Allāh Ta’ālā will receive from Allāh Ta’ālā the sweetness of Īmān which he will find within his heart.”

Allāh Ta’ālā is fully aware of those who cast evil glances. Allāh Ta’ālā states in the Glorious Qur’ān:

 

“Indeed, Allāh Ta’ālā knows what they do.” (Sūrah al-Nūr)

 

Allāmah Mahmūd Ālūsi Baghdādi (r.a) has elucidated this verse in his Tafsīr, Ruhul Ma’āni under four headings:

1. Allāh Ta’ālā is aware of how you turn your gaze around whilst casting evil glances

 

2. The one who casts evil glances uses all five of his senses. Allāh Ta’ālā is fully aware of all this. Allāh Ta’ālā is watching the use of his sense of sight, hearing, taste, touch and smell.

 

3. Allāh Ta’ālā is fully aware of the movements of all the limbs. Allāh Ta’ālā is watching how he uses his hands, legs and other limbs in order to fulfill his/her fantasy

 

4. Allāh Ta’ālā is aware of his final aim, which is adultery. ( If he does not repent sincerely and refrain, he will be punished severely)

Sheikh Abdul Ghani (r.a) used to say that if you light a fire by a green tree, its leaves will be scorched. Then it is very difficult for the tree to become green again. Perhaps, if you apply fertilizer for a year and water it thoroughly, then only will it recover. Similarly, the illumination created by the Dhikr (remembrance) of Allāh Ta’ālā, righteous deeds and the company of the Ahlullah (pious friends of Allāh Ta’ālā) is scorched by evil glances and it takes a long time for the sweetness of Īmān and the illumination of Dhikrullah to come back.

One must never trust the Nafs (lower self). The worst enemy of a true believer is his/her nafs. If your enemy presents some delicacies to you, will you accept it or will you be careful? You will be cautious, as it might be laced with poison. But the arch-enemy, the Nafs shows us a little bit of temporary pleasure through evil glances and we succumb to its demands immediately. Is that being careful? Is that being reasonable?

Hereby are a few guidelines for those who sincerely want to be saved from the calamity of casting evil glances and love affairs. If Allāh Ta’ālā wills, even if someone has been suffering from this malady for a very long time, he/she will be cured. After constantly practising on these few guidelines, the carnal pleasure of this world will seem insignificant:

1. Salātul Tawbah ( to express one’s sincere repentance)

2. Salātul Hājah ( to seek Allāh’s help from this evil)

3. Recite Lā iIāha Illallāh a hundred times. With the words Lā iIāha ponder over the fact that the heart is becoming pure of everything else besides Allāh Ta’ālā and with the words Illallāh, ponder that the love of Allāh Ta’ālā is entering the heart.

4. Recite the Ismul-Dhāt, Allāh – Allāh, one hundred times. When you recite the word Allāh, with extreme devotion and love imagine that the heart is also uttering this beautiful name.

5. Make the Dhikr of Allāh – Allāh, one hundred times with the thought that the words Allāh – Allāh are coming out of every hair and pore of one’s body. After a few days, think that together with every hair, the earth, the sky, the trees, the oceans, stones, birds, animals and every atom of the creation are making Dhikr.

 

6. Meditate for a few minutes that Allāh Ta’ālā always sees you and make the following Duas: “O Allāh Ta’ālā! Let me be able to imagine that you are watching me at all times so that I do not commit any sin.”

 

7. Meditate about death and the grave

8. Meditate on the day of reckoning; that each one of us will have to answer for his/her deeds

9. Meditate on the fire and punishment of Hell

10. Meditate on the various favours and bounties of Allāh Ta’ālā

11. Remain in the state of Wudhu and lower the gaze when the need arises

12. Meditate that the attractiveness of beauty because of which one usually casts evil glances will one day perish

13. Most importantly, seek the company of a spiritual mentor and discuss your spiritual ailments with him

14. For every evil glance perform a minimum of twelve Rak’āt of Salāh and give out some charity and repent excessively.

 

After casting evil glances, besides the punishment of the hereafter, one’s heart becomes uneasy. The heart will keep on fantasizing and eventually one will lose his/her peace of mind. The sin of casting evil glances is a sin of foolishness. Nothing is achieved but discomfort. To see dreams of happiness and contentment whilst displeasing Allāh Ta’ālā is extreme foolishness because Allāh Ta’ālā is the creator of happiness, joy and contentment.

 

Whoever pleases Allāh Ta’ālā by tolerating the grief of abstaining from sins; Allāh Ta’ālā will bless this person with such contentment and joy that even the kings cannot dream of, and as for those who displeases Allāh Ta’ālā , Allāh Ta’ālā makes their life bitter and miserable.

 

Allāh Ta’ālā states in the Qurān Shareef:

 

“Whoever turns away from my remembrance will have a bitter life”

 

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