Shaytan |
By Sh. Yusuf Estes |
| Bismillah Rahman Raheem
Salam alaykum:
A question comes from one of our younger brothers
in Islam. He states:
I have a question that is really
bothering me. The other night while I was listening to 99 names of Allah
swt, I had a shirk thought for a second. I dont belive in it (shirk thought)
but it just came to me. I guess i had a doubt for a second about Allah
swt. I know that its the biggest sin to do shirk, but dont no if i did
it because i really believe in Allah swt. So my question to you
is how does one know if he did this sin, how does one repent and how can
you be sure that allah has forgiven you. Is there some sort of Istikara
prayer? Please respond. Please pray for me because I am really scared.
I am 16 yrs old committed such a big sin.
I read your question and if I understood it correctly,
it appears that the problem is not you, as much as it is shayton. The
shayton has come to you and made a statement of doubt in your ear and
wants you to think that it came from you. However, it was only his statement
and not from you. Therefore, I would do as the prophet, peace be upon
him told us to do, seek refuge with Allah and leave that kind of thinking,
inshallah.
Shaytan is our open enemy. He hates us and wants
to take us all to Hell. He has no real power, only the "wiswas" or "whispering."
Say, "Authobillah minish-shayton irajeem."
[read the attached for details and explanation]
Now, I would like to reproduce something for you
that I believe should come in handy for any Muslim experiencing problems
with the shayton (which is pretty much all of us, right?).
Please take your time, print this out if you like,
or view it on our website at: www.IslamTomorrow.com/articles/shaytan.htm
___________________________
Shaytan_____________________________
Why the Devil is called
Shaytan
In the Arabic language,
Shaytan is derived from Shatana, which means the far thing.
Hence, the Shaytan has a different nature than mankind, and his sinful
ways are far away from every type of righteousness. It was also said
that Shaytan is derived from Shata, (literally `burned'), because it
was created from fire. Some scholars said that both meanings are correct,
although they state that the first meaning is more plausible. Further,
Siybawayh (the renowned Arab linguistic) said, "The Arabs say, `So-and-so
has Tashaytan,' when he commits the act of the devils. If Shaytan was
derived from Shata, they would have said, Tashayyata (rather than Tashaytan).''
Hence, Shaytan is derived from the word that means, far away. This is
why they call those who are rebellious (or mischievous) from among the
Jinns and mankind a `Shaytan'. Allah said,
(And so We have appointed
for every Prophet enemies ? Shayatin (devils) among mankind and Jinn,
inspiring one another with adorned speech as a delusion (or by way of
deception))
(6:112).
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The Meaning of Ar-Rajim
Ar-Rajim means,
being expelled from all types of righteousness. Allah said,
(And indeed We have
adorned the nearest heaven with lamps, and We have made such lamps Rujuman
(as missiles) to drive away the Shayatin (devils))
(67:5).
Allah also said,
(Verily, We have adorned
the near heaven with the stars (for beauty). And to guard against every
rebellious devil. They cannot listen to the higher group (angels) for
they are pelted from every side. Outcast, and theirs is a constant (or
painful) torment. Except such as snatch away something by stealing,
and they are pursued by a flaming fire of piercing brightness)
(37:6-10).
Further, Allah said,
(And indeed, We have
put the big stars in the heaven and We beautified it for the beholders.
And We have guarded it (near heaven) from every Shaytan Rajim (outcast
Shaytan). Except him (devil) who steals the hearing then he is pursued
by a clear flaming fire.)
(15:16-18).
There are several similar
Ayat.
It was also said that
Rajim means, the person who throws or bombards things, because
the devil throws doubts and evil thoughts in people's hearts. The first
meaning is more popular and accurate.
_______________________________
Al Isti'adhah
_________________________________________
What
does Isti'adhah mean?
Isti`adhah means,
"I seek refuge with Allah from the cursed Satan so that he is prevented
from affecting my religious or worldly affairs, or hindering me from
adhering to what I was commanded, or luring me into what I was prohibited
from.''
Indeed, only
Allah is able to prevent the evil of Satan from touching the son of
Adam. This is why Allah allowed us to be lenient and kind with the human
devil, so that his soft nature might cause him to refrain from the evil
he is indulging in. However, Allah required us to seek refuge with Him
from the evil of Satan, because he neither accepts bribes nor does kindness
affect him, for he is pure evil. Thus, only He Who created Satan is
able to stop his evil. This meaning is reiterated in only three Ayat
in the Qur'an. Allah said in Surat Al-A`raf,
(Show forgiveness,
enjoin what is good, and turn away from the foolish (i.e. don't punish
them).
(7:199)
This is about dealing
with human beings. He then said in the same Surah,
(And
if an evil whisper comes to you from Shaytan, then seek refuge with
Allah. Verily, He is Hearing, Knowing
(7: 200).)
Allah also said
in Surat Al-Mu'minun,
(Repel
evil with that which is better. We are Best-Acquainted with the things
they utter. And say: "My Lord! I seek refuge with You from the whisperings
(suggestions) of the Shayatin (devils). And I seek refuge with You,
My Lord! lest they should come near me.''
(23:96-98).)
Further, Allah
said in Surat As-Sajdah,
(The good
deed and the evil deed cannot be equal. Repel (the evil) with one which
is better, then verily he, between whom and you there was enmity, (will
become) as though he was a close friend. But none is granted it (the
above quality) except those who are patient ? and none is granted it
except the owner of the great portion (of happiness in the Hereafter,
i.e. Paradise and of a high moral character) in this world. And if an
evil whisper from Shaytan tries to turn you away (from doing good),
then seek refuge in Allah. Verily, He is the Hearing, the Knowing)
(41:34-36).
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The Tafsir
(explanation) of Isti'adhah (seeking Refuge)
Allah said,
(Show forgiveness, enjoin
what is good, and stay away from the foolish (i.e. don't punish them).
And if an evil whisper comes to you from Shaytan (Satan), then seek refuge
with Allah. Verily, He is Hearing, Knowing)
(7:199-200),
(Repel evil with that which
is better. We are Best-Acquainted with things they utter. And say: "My
Lord! I seek refuge with You from the whisperings (suggestions) of the
Shayatin (devils). And I seek refuge with You, My Lord! lest they should
come near me.'')
(23:96-98) and,
(Repel (an evil) with one
which is better, then verily he with whom there was enmity between you,
(will become) as though he was a close friend. But none is granted it
except those who are patient ? and none is granted it except the owner
of the great portion (of happiness in the Hereafter, i.e. Paradise and
of a high moral character) in this world. And if an evil whisper from
Shaytan tries to turn you away (O Muhammad ) (from doing good), then seek
refuge in Allah. Verily, He is the Hearing, the Knowing.)
(41:34-36)
These are the only three
Ayat that carry this meaning. Allah commanded that we be lenient human
enemy, so that his soft nature might make him an ally and a supporter.
He also commanded that we seek refuge from the satanic enemy, because
the devil does not relent in his enmity if we treat him with kindness
and leniency. The devil only seeks the destruction of the Son of Adam
due to the vicious enmity and hatred he has always had towards man's father,
Adam. Allah said,
(O Children of Adam! Let
not Shaytan deceive you, as he got your parents [Adam and Hawwa' (Eve)]
out of Paradise)
(7:27),
(Surely, Shaytan 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)
(35:6)
and,
(Will you then take him
(Iblis) and his offspring as protectors and helpers rather than Me while
they are enemies to you What an evil is the exchange for the Zalimun (polytheists,
and wrongdoers, etc)) (18:50).
The devil assured Adam that he
wanted to advise him, but he was lying. Hence, how would he treat us after
he had vowed,
("By Your might, then I
will surely, mislead them all. Except Your chosen servants among them
(i.e. faithful, obedient, true believers of Islamic Monotheism).'')
(38:82-83)
Also, Allah said,
(So when you [want to]
recite the Qur'an, seek refuge with Allah from Shaytan, the outcast (the
cursed one). Verily, he has no power over those who believe and put their
trust only in their Lord (Allah). His power is only over those who obey
and follow him (Satan), and those who join partners with Him.)
(16:98-100).
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Seeking Refuge before reciting
the Qur'an
Allah said,
(So when you [want to]
recite the Qur'an, seek refuge with Allah from Shaytan, the outcast (the
cursed one).) meaning, before you recite the Qur'an.
Similarly, Allah said,
(When you intend to offer
As-Salah (the prayer), wash your faces and your hands (forearms))
(5:6)
meaning, before you stand
in prayer, as evident by the Hadiths that we mentioned. Imam Ahmad recorded
that Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri said,
"When the Messenger of Allah
would stand up in prayer at night, he would start his prayer with the
Takbir (saying "Allahu Akbar''; Allah is Greater) and would then supplicate,
(All praise is due to You, O Allah,
and also the thanks. Blessed be Your Name, Exalted be Your sovereignty,
and there is no deity worthy of worship except You.)
He would then say thrice,
(There is no deity worthy of worship
except Allah,).
He would then say,
(I seek refuge with Allah, the
Hearing, the Knowing, from the cursed Satan, from his coercion, lures
to arrogance and poems.).''
The four collectors of the Sunan
recorded this Hadith, which At-Tirmidhi considered the most famous Hadith
on this subject.
Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah recorded
that Jubayr bin Mut`im said that his father said, "When the Messenger
of Allah started the prayer, he said,
(Allah is the Greater, truly the
Greatest (thrice); all praise is due to Allah always (thrice); and all
praise is due to Allah day and night (thrice). O Allah! I seek refuge
with You from the cursed Satan, from his Hamz, Nafkh and Nafth.).''
'Amr said, "The Hamz
means asphyxiation, the Nafkh means arrogance,
and the Nafth means poetry.''
Also, Ibn Majah recorded that 'Ali
bin Al-Mundhir said that Ibn Fudayl narrated that 'Ata' bin As-Sa'ib said
that Abu 'Abdur-Rahman As-Sulami said that Ibn Mas`ud said that the Prophet
said,
(O Allah! I seek refuge with You
from the cursed devil, from his Hamz, Nafkh and Nafth.)
He said, "The Hamz means death,
the Nafkh means arrogance, and the Nafth means poetry.''
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Seeking Refuge with Allah
when One is Angry
In his Musnad, Al-Hafiz Abu Ya`la
Ahmad bin `Ali bin Al-Muthanna Al-Mawsili reported that Ubayy bin Ka`b
said, "Two men disputed with each other in the presence of the Messenger
of Allah and the nose of one of them became swollen because of extreme
anger. The Messenger of Allah said,
(I know of some words that if he
said them, what he feels will go away, 'I seek refuge with Allah from
the cursed Satan.')''
An-Nasa'i also recorded this Hadith
in his book, Al-Yawm wal-Laylah.
Al-Bukhari recorded that Sulayman
bin Surad said, "Two men disputed in the presence of the Prophet while
we were sitting with him. One of them was cursing the other fellow and
his face turned red due to anger. The Prophet said,
(I know of a statement which if
he said it, will make what he feels disappear, `I seek refuge with Allah
from the cursed Satan.') They said to the man, `Do you not hear what the
Messenger of Allah is saying?' He (the man) said, `I am not insane.'''
Also, Muslim, Abu Dawud and An-Nasa'i
recorded this Hadith.
There are many other Hadiths about
seeking refuge with Allah. One can find this subject in the books on supplication
and the virtues of righteous, good deeds.
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Is the Isti`adhah
(seeking Refuge) required?
The majority of the scholars state
that reciting the Isti`adhah (in the prayer and when reciting the Qur'an)
is recommended and not required, and therefore, not reciting it does not
constitute a sin. However, Ar-Razi recorded that `Ata' bin Abi Rabah said
that the Isti`adhah is required in the prayer and when one reads the Qur'an.
In support of `Ata's statement, Ar-Razi relied upon the apparent meaning
of the Ayah,
(Then seek refuge.) He said that
the Ayah contains a command that requires implementation. Also, the Prophet
always said the Isti`adhah. In addition, the Isti`adhah wards off the
evil of Satan, which is neccessary, the rule is that the means needed
to implement a requirement of the religion is itself also required. And
when one says, "I seek refuge with Allah from the cursed devil.'' Then
this will suffice.
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Virtues of the Isti`adhah
The Isti`adhah cleanses the mouth
from the foul speech that it has indulged in. It also purifies the mouth
and prepares it to recite the speech of Allah. Further, the Isti`adhah
entails seeking Allah's help and acknowledging His ability to do everything.
The Isti`adhah also affirms the servant's meekness, weakness and inability
to face the enemy of his inner evil, whom Allah alone, Who created this
enemy, is able to repel and defeat. This enemy does not accept kindness,
unlike the human enemy. There are three Ayat in the Qur'an that affirm
this fact. Also, Allah said,
We should state here that the believers,
whom the human enemies kill, become martyrs, while those who fall victim
to the inner enemy - Satan - become bandits. Further, the believers who
are defeated by the apparent enemy - disbelievers - gain a reward, while
those defeated by the inner enemy earn a sin and become misguided. Since
Satan sees man where man cannot see him, it is befitting that the believers
seek refuge from Satan with Whom Satan cannot see. The Isti`adhah is a
form of drawing closer to Allah and seeking refuge with Him from the evil
of every evil creature.
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This is what I understood and I seek refuge with
Allah from the shayton myself.
May Allah help you and keep you strong in Islam
all your life, ameen.
Jazakalah khair was salam alaykum,
Yusuf Estes
National Muslim Chaplain
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