The Devil’s Deceptions

Chapter 9. The Devil’s Deception of the Worshipers (al- ‘Ubbad) in their Devotions (al- ‘ibadat)

Know that the biggest gate from which Iblis enters to people is ignorance, and he does so freely. As for a knowledgeable person, he only sneaks up to him. Iblis takes advantage of worshipers because most of them are ignorant as they occupy themselves with worship and do not seek knowledge. RabI’ Ibn Kathaym said: Study jurisprudence, and then become an anchorite

Iblis convinces them that worship is better than seeking knowledge. In fact, seeking knowledge is better than performing voluntary rituals. Iblis convinces them that the objective of seeking knowledge is to act upon it, but also convinces them that the actions required are those of the limbs. They are unaware that the heart acts as well, and that the heart’s actions are more important than those of the limbs.

Mutarrif Ibn ‘Abdullah said: Extra knowledge is better than extra worship.

And Yusuf Ibn Asbat said: It is better for you to learn a chapter of knowledge rather than joining in seventy battles.

Al-Mu’ata Ibn ‘Imran said: Documenting a single Hadith is better, to me, than praying an entire night.

Now that Iblis has deceived them to put seeking knowledge aside, he begins to deceive them with regards to the performance of rituals.

9:1 Devil’s Deception of them in Matters of Ablutions (wudu)

He convinces them to take too long while answering the call of nature. This is harmful for the liver, a person ought to take reasonable time when doing so.

Others stand up, walk, cough and raise one leg and lower the other after answering the call of nature, just to make sure that his bladder is free from urine.   The more he does this, the more urine comes out. This is because more urine accumulates in the bladder while he does all of these exercises. Al he needs to do is to press his penis with two (left) fingers and slide them to its tip. Then he should rinse with water.

Iblis convinces others to use too much water. According to the strictest of schools of thought, it is enough to pour water seven times after eliminating the impurity itself. As for using rocks; three are enough.

Those who are not sufficed by that which the religion decreed are innovators and not followers. And Allah is the One who assists.

Section One: Devil’s Deception of them in Performing Wudu’ (Ablution)

He convinces some of them to say, when making the intention for Wudu: I seek to lift the status of impurity. Then to say: I seek to gain permission to pray. Then to say again: I seek to lift the status of impurity.

The reason for this is ignorance in matters of religion. Intention is to be made by the heart, not verbally. So to utter the intention is not required. Also, there is no sense in repeating the intention.

Iblis deceives others by making them ask about the water they are using to perform Wudu‘: “How do I make sure that this water is pure?” He begins to make far-fetched assumptions regarding it. Shari’ah decreed that water is pure in principle, so there is no reason to sway away from this principle unless there is a strong reason (to suspect) .Others are deceived to use too much water, so they fall into four disliked things:

Wasting water, wasting valuable time in something that is neither obligatory nor encouraged, an implicit notion that Shari’ah is deficient because he was not satisfied with its orders to use less water, and the fourth is that Wudu‘ might take too long to the point of missing prayer, missing its beginning, which is its most virtuous part, or missing prayer in congregation.

Iblis convinces these people that they are performing worship that is necessary for their prayer to count. If he contemplated, he would have discovered how erroneous this was, and we have seen people who developed compulsive disorders in making Wudu” to the point of not eating or drinking. Some also spend too much time making Wudu” but do not preserve their tongues from backbiting.

The Prophet once passed by Sa’d while he was performing Wudu” and said: What is this wastefulness Sa’d? He replied: Is there wastefulness in performing Wudu‘? The Prophet responded: Indeed, even if you were making wudu’ from a running river. (Musnad Ahmad #7065 and lbn Majah #425.)

‘Abdullah Ibn Mughaffal (ra) said that he heard his son saying: “O Allah! I ask you to grant me the white palace on the right side of Paradise.” He said to him: “O son! Ask Allah to grant you Paradise and seek refuge with Him from Hell, as I heard the Prophet saying: “There will be people in this ummah (nation) who transgress in purification and invocation.”

Al-Hasan used to say: One of them makes Wudu‘ using a big container of water, and performs ghusl using a maza’dah (a large container), they pour and pour and rub and rub. They torture them­ selves and go against the Sunnah.

Abu’l-Wafa Ibn ‘Aqil said: For intelligent people, time is worthiest of gains. And the thing they use least in worship is water.

It was not from the Prophet’s conduct and etiquette to use too much water in religious rituals.

9:2 Devil’s Deception of them regarding Adhan (Call for Prayer)

An example is to add a (musical) rhythm to Adhan. Malik disliked this very much, and so did other scholars because it strips Adhan from the required reverence and makes it almost like singing.

Another example is that they mix Fajr Adhan with other forms of dhikr. Scholars disliked adding anything to the Adhan.

We have seen some people climbing on the minaret to remind people. Others recite a surah from the Qur’an loudly on the minaret. They prevent people from sleeping and confuse those praying at night. All of which are from bad deeds.

9:3 Devil’s Deception of them regarding Performing Prayer (al-Salah)

Some of them wash clean clothes repeatedly (to make sure that they are pure). Sometimes, they wash clothes even if they were touched by others. And some of them wash their clothes in the Euphrates (i.e. in the river) believing that washing them at home does not suffice. Others put them in wells like Jews do.

The Companions never used to do this. In fact they prayed while wearing the Persian clothes they acquired after liberating Persia, including blankets and rugs.

Some of those suffering from compulsive disorders wash an entire piece of clothing because a single drop of water falls on it. And perhaps this might delay his congregational prayer.

Others do not attend congregational prayers whenever there is rainwater on the roads.

Let no one think that I am not clean or pious. However, I am prohibiting others from the time-wasting and excessiveness that goes against orders of Islam.

Some of them pronounce the intention to perform prayer saying: I will pray such and such. He repeats this saying thinking that his intention broke. Intention is never broken regardless of pronunciation.

Others say ”Allahu Akbar” then discontinue their prayer. They do so until the Imam goes down to ruku’, so  they quickly say ” Allahu Akbar ‘ and bend for ruku’ as well. So what good was his pronunciation of intention? All Iblis wanted was for the person to miss the virtue to performing prayer.

Some of those suffering from compulsive disorders could swear that they only said: “Allahu Akbar “once. This is from Iblis’s deception.

Islam is easy and lenient, and free from such deficiencies. Never did anything like this happen to Allah’s Messenger or His companions.

Abu Hazim once entered the masjid, so the devil whispered to him: you are praying without wudu’? So he said: You are not so keen on my well-being (to give me such advice).

By standing up to perform prayer you have made your intention clear, so there is no need to say it Its place is the heart, so there is no need to worry about pronouncing it properly. Why repeat it when you have said it correctly?

A man told Ibn ‘Aqil: I sometimes wash a bird, but then believe that I have not washed it, and I say: ”Allah Akbar” but later think I have not said it. Ibn ‘Aqil responded: Do not perform prayer, it is not obligatory on you! Ibn Aqil’s companions asked him: how could you say this to the man? He replied: The Prophet said: “The pen (recording of deeds) has been lifted for an insane person until he regains sanity.”( Abu Dawid #4398 and Nasa’I, 2/100) He who is suffering from what this man is suffering from is insane. And insane persons are not required to perform prayers.

Know that repeating the intention for prayer is caused by stupidity and ignorance. If a scholar were to enter (a room) and a person stands up for him (out of respect) and says: “I intend to stand up out of respect for this scholar who has entered this gathering” then people would declare him to be an idiot. (The action of) standing up made his intention clear.

Standing up for prayer is only done for one reason, and it does not take long. This is utter ignorance. It is permissible to make the intention prior to takbir, so why do they insist on making it immediately prior to takbir.

No one was stricter with mutanatti’in (those who do things exces­ sively) than Allah’s Messenger. No one was more worried about them than Abu Bakr. I think that ‘Umar was the person most worried for them on earth.

Section One: Deception of them regarding Performing Prayer (al-salah)

Some of those performing prayer say: ”Allah Akbar” then wonder-off with their thoughts away from prayer. As if that is all what is required from prayer.

Takbiris like the entrance to prayer. How then could prayer, which is like a building, be neglected for the sake of its entrance?

Some on them join the Imam late when only a bit is left before he bends for ruku.  Instead of reciting al-Fathihah, he reads the du’a that is to be said at the start of prayer. This is from Iblis’s deception, because reciting al-Fathihah is obligatory, while reciting the starting du’a is Sunnah (and not obligatory). One must not put the Sunnah ahead of obligation.

I used to do this until one day our Shaikh Abu Bakr al-Dinawari heard me do so. He said: Son, scholars differed on whether or not reciting al-Fathihah behind the Imam is an obligation, but they never differed on the opening du’a being Sunnah. So busy yourself with obligations instead of Sunan.

Section Two:  Not Performing Sunnahs (non-obligatory actions)

Iblis deceived some people causing them not to perform many of the Sunnah. Some used to pray congregational prayers, but not in the first rows. They said that Allah only intended the nearness of the heart not the physical nearness.

Others do not put one hand on the other in prayer saying: I do not want to show humility of which my heart is empty.

This is a result of a lack of knowledge. In both Bukhari and Muslim the Prophet said: “If people knew what was in the adhan and the first row of the prayer and could only draw lots for it, they would draw lots.” (Bukhari, 2/1 16 and Muslim  #1914.)

And he said: “The best of men’s ranks (in prayer) are those most in front, and the worst are those farthest back.” Muslim #440.

As for putting one hand on the other in prayer, it is from the Sunnah. Abu Dawud narrated that Ibn al-Zubayr (ra) said: “Putting one hand over the other is  from the Sunnah.” Abu Dawud, #754

And Ibn Mas(ud (rat#JAl!dhu ‘anhu) was once praying with his left hand over his right, so the Prophet switched them around. Abu Dawud, #755.

Do not be surprised of our advice against doing these things. It is the religion that forbids, not we.

Ahmad Ibn Hanbal (ra) was told: Ibn al-Mubarak said such and such. He replied: Ibn al-Mubarak did not come down from heaven (i.e. he was not infallible)

And he was told once: Ibrahim Ibn Adham said: … so he replied: You have come to me with the side roads. Stick to the main road.

The ruling of Islam must not be abandoned for the sake of any person. The religion is most important and it is possible for people to err, or that they become unaware of some Hadith.

Iblis deceived some of those who perform prayer in another way. You hear them say: Al-hamdu… al-hamdu. This repetition is not consistent with the proper etiquettes of prayer.

And Iblis may cause a person to overstress the Shaddab. Sometimes people stress the letter “Dhad” of the word “al-Maghdub” too much to the point of discharging some saliva!  Al that is required is the proper pronunciation of each letters.

Iblis causes these people to go beyond this requirement, and occupies them with pronunciation instead of comprehension of the meanings being read.

‘Uthman Ibn Abi al-‘As said: The devil comes between me and my prayers and recitation, confusing me therein. The Messenger of Allah said: “That is a devil called khinzab. If he affects you, then seek refuge in Allah from him and (dry) spittle to your left three times.” He [the companion] said: “I did that and Allah took him away from me. Muslim, #223.

Iblis deceived manyignorant worshippers to make them think that worship was only to stand up and sit down (i.e. bodily motion). They focus on this and ignore some of the prayer duties without them knowing so.

I have noticed that some people say salam (at the end of prayer) while the Imam is saying it and before completing their tashahhud. The Imam does not carry the saying of the tashahhud off from them (i.e. his performing it does not relieve them from doing it)

Others read a lot in prayer but do not perform the Sunnahs (non obligatory parts) of prayer, and commit disliked things during it.

Once I visited a person during the day and found him reading aloud during voluntary prayers. I told him that reading aloud during the day was disliked. He replied: I am repelling sleepiness away by reading aloud. I said: “Sunnah should not be abandoned just so you can stay awake. And whenever you feel sleepy you should sleep because your body has rights over you.”

Section Three: Praying Excessively at Night

Iblis has deceived some worshipers to perform a lot of night prayers. Some of them pray the entire night, and they feel happier when performing night and duha prayers more than obligatory prayers.  Some fall asleep  right  before fajr and  miss  the  obligatory prayer. Others wake up too lazy to work for sustaining their families. I saw a Shaikh from among them named Husayn al-QazwinI walking a lot during the day in al-Mansur Masjid. When I inquired about this I was told that he does this so he does not fall asleep. This does not conform with teachings of Islam or with sound intellect:

As for logic, the Prophet said: “Your body has a right over you, so wake up (when appropriate) and sleep (when appropriate).” Abu Dawud, #1 369.

And He used to say: “Adhere to moderate demeanor. Whoever arm-wrestles this religion will loose.” (Musnad Ahmad 5/350, and Hakim 1 /312. 133 Bukhari 3/278)

Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “The Prophet entered and saw a rope extended between two poles, he said: ‘What is this rope?’ They said: ‘it is a rope of Zainab, when she feels tired she hangs unto it.’ The Prophet said: ‘Untie the rope, you should work actively until you feel tired, then you should rest.”‘ Bukhari 3/278.

And Allah’s Messenger said: “If one of you feels sleepy then he should lie down until he is no longer sleepy. Because if he prays while he is sleepy he might curse himself (mistakenly) instead of seeking forgiveness.” BukharI 1/271, and Muslim 786.

As for sound intellect: Sleep re-energises a person, so when a person repells it, this might harm his body and mind.

So we seek refuge with Allah from ignorance.

If someone says: But we were informed that members  of the Salaf used to pray at night?

We say: those individuals were gradual in doing so. They made certain not to miss fcgr prayer and to take a nap during the day. They also did not eat much, so this worked out well for them. It was not reported to us that Allah’s Messenger (;i) stayed awake an entire night. His Sunnah is more worthy of being followed.

Some of those falling for Iblis’s deception try to insinuate to others that they were up praying last night. So they would say: So and so, the Adhan giver, gave adhan on time.

If this person did not intent to show-off then he has made public his action, which will result in reducing his reward.

Section Four: Devils’s Deception regarding Praying Only in the Masjids

Iblis deceived some people to pray (al prayers including voluntary prayers) only in the masjids. They became known for this, and people gathered to pray behind them. They became famous for reciting Qur’an (in various forms) causing them to do this even more.

The Prophet said: “The best prayer a person can perform is at his home, except for obligatory prayer.” Bukhari #731 and Muslim #781.

‘Amir Ibn ‘Abd Qays used to dislike to be seen praying, and used to never pray voluntary prayers in the masjid. And when someone used to enter upon Ibn Abi Layla while praying in the masjid, he used to lie down (i.e. pretend to be resting).

Some people cry with people around them. This might happen involuntarily, however, it would be considered showing off if a per­ son was able to hide his crying but did not.

Abu Wayl used to cry heavily during his prayer at home. If some­ one were to give him the entire world in return for letting people see him while crying; he would not agree.

And whenever Ayyiib al-Sakhtiyan! felt like he was about to cry, he would get up and leave.

Iblls also deceived some to focus on praying during the day and night without trying to mend their internal faults, which is more deserving of their attention.

9:4  Devil’s Deception regarding Qur’an Recitation (al-qira’at al-Quran)

He deceived them to read too fast without proper recitation. This is not praiseworthy.

Some reciters climb on the minaret at night to recite one or two chapters from the Qur’an with loud voices. They harm people by not letting them sleep well, and they showoff

Others choose to recite while the adhan is being called because this is the time when people gather at the masjid.

One of the strangest things I have seen was that a man led us in Fajr prayer. After completing the prayer he turned around, recited the last two surah of the Qur’an then began to say the dua that is said upon completing recitation of the entire Qur’an. He did this so people know that he has completed reciting the Qur’an.

This was not the way of the Salaf. They used to hide their worship.

A1-Rabl’ Ibn Khuthaym’s deeds were al in secret. He used to cover his copy of the Qur’an if someone entered upon him while recitation.

Ahmad Ibn Hanbal used to recite a lot without anyone knowing when he finished reciting the entire Qur’an.

We have now recorded various ways wherein the devil deceives the reciters of the Qur’an, Allah knows best what is right and He it is Who guides.

9:5  Devil’s Deception regarding Fasting (al-Sawm)

He deceived some to fast continuously. This is only permissible if a person does not fast the days which we were forbidden from fasting. Yet, there are still two problems with doing so:

One is that this wil cause him to become too weak to gain sustenance for his family, and to suffice his wife sexually. In both Bukhari and Muslim there is a tradition that Allah’s Messenger said: “Your wife has rights upon you.” So how many obligations were let unful­ filled because of performing this voluntary act.

The other problem is that they miss out on what is more virtuous. Allah’s Messenger said: “The best form of fasting was that of Dawud (‘alayhis-salam) . He used to fast one day and not fast the next day 6 Bukhari 4/1 91 and Muslim, #1159

Abdullah Ibn ‘Amr (radiyAllahu) said: Allah’s Messenger met me once and said: “Have I not been informed that you pray all night? And that you say: I will pray al night and fast during the day?” ‘Abdullah replied:  “Yes, 0 Allah’s Messenger! I have said so.” The Prophet said: “Fast and break your fast. , offer prayers a bit, and also sleep at night. And it is sufficient for you to fast three days in a month, as the reward of a good deed is multiplied ten times, so it will be like fasting throughout the year.” I said: “O Allah’s Messenger! I have the strength to do more than that.” The Prophet said: “Then, fast like the fasting of Prophet Dawud ( ‘alayhis-salam) and do not fast more than that.” I replied: I have the power to do better than that. Allah’s Messenger replied: “Nothing is better than that.” Bukhari #1976 and Muslim #1159.

Section One Devil’s Deception regarding the Intention to Fast

Some people might become known for fasting everyday so he makes it a point to continue this habit. Even if they do not fast for one day, he hides this from people so his fame does not get affected. This is a form of hidden riya’ (showing off).  Had his intention been sincere he would have hidden his fasting.

Some of them openly say that they have been fasting for years. Iblis convinces him that this is useful so others follow his example. But only Allah knows all intentions.

Sufyan al-Thawri (radiyallahu anhu) said: “A person continues to do a good deed in secret until the devil convinces him to talk about it openly. So his deed is transferred from the record of the secretive actions to that of open actions.”

Some of them fast every Monday and Thursday, and whenever he is invited to a meal he says: “Today is Thursday!” Had he said: “I am fasting today” it would have been acceptable. But saying “Today is Thursday” means that he fasts every Thursday!

Others look down at people because they are not fasting while he is

And others fast but do not take care of what they eat for break­ fast. They do not avoid backbiting or bad talk, and do not lower their gaze. Iblis convinced him that his fasting is enough to repel these sins.

9:6 Devil’s  Deception regarding al-Hajj

A person performs hajj the first time in order to fulfill his obligation. Then he performs hajj again without his parents’ permission. This is wrong. Sometimes he might go to hajj while owing others money or certain rights, or go to hajj for leisure, or use suspicious money to perform hajj.

Others like to be addressed as: al-Hajj (the one who has performed hajj) .

During the hajj journey, some of them neglect performing ablution and prayer. They gather around the Ka1bah while having dirty hearts

The objective of hajj is for the hearts to become closer to Allah, not just the bodies. This can only occur with taqwa.

Many people go to Makkah to increase the number of times that they have performed hajj You hear him saying: I have stood (on mount Arafat) twenty times 

And many people live close to the haram but never persue cleansing their hearts. Others hope for some “vision” to occur to him.

I have seen many of those traveling to perform hajj beating their companions over water and harming them on their way. And some do not perform prayers on time, and cheat in selling, thinking that hajj will repel punishment.

lblis has deceived some people to introduce innovation to hajj rituals .I have seen people uncovering one shoulder while in the state of ihram and stay in the sun for a long time. So their skin peels off and their heads swell, then use this to showoff.

The Prophet once saw a man performing tawaf while tied with a string, or something like that, so He cut it. Bukhari: 3 /386.

This hadith includes a prohibition from innovation, even if the aim was to obey Allah.

9.7 Devils Deception of them regarding al- Tawakkul (Reliance on Allah)

He has deceived some who claim to have tawakkul. They left their homes without food thinking that this was tawakkul. They are severely wrong.

A man told Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal (radiyAllahu anhu) : I intend to travel to Makkah without food, relying on Allah. At this Imam Ahmad said: Then you should travel alone without company. The man responded: No, I have to travel with company, so Ahmad responded: So you are going to base your tawakkul on the food that others have brought with them!

So we ask Allah to aid us.

9.8 Devil’s Deception of Warriors (al-ghazah)

Iblis has deceived many warriors. They went for jihad with the intention of showing off, or seeking war booty.

Actions are but by intention.

Abu Musa (radiy Allahu anhu) said: A man came to to ask the Prophet 0 Allah’s Messenger! A man fights out bravery, out of anger, or to showoff, which of them fights in the cause of Allah? The Prophet said: “He who fights so that Allah’s Word is superior, then he fights in Allah’s  cause.” Bukhari 6/21 and Muslim #1 904.

And Ibn Mas’ud (radivAllahu anhu) said: Never say: So and so died as a martyr, or: So and so was killed as a martyr. A man may fight for the sake of  the booty, to be mentioned or to showoff. Bukhari 6/21 and Muslim #1904.

Abu Hurayrah (radiy Allahu anhu) said: ‘The first of people against whom judgment will be pronounced on the Day of Resurrection will be three men. A man who died a martyr will be brought and Allah will make known to him His favors and he will recognise them. (fhe Almighty) will say: ‘And what did you do about them?’ He wil say: ‘I fought for You until I died a martyr.’ He will say: ‘You have lied, you did but fight that it might be said (of you): ‘He is courageous.’ And so it was said. Then he will be ordered to be dragged along on his face until he is cast into Hell-fire. (Another) will be a man who has studied (religious) knowledge and has taught it and who used to recite the Qur’an.  He will be brought and Allah will make known to him His favors and he will recognise them. (fhe Almighty) will say: ‘And what did you do about them?’ He will say: ‘I studied (religious) knowledge and I taught it and I recited the Qur’an for Your sake.’ He wil say: ‘You have lied, you did but study (religious) knowledge that it might be said (of you): ‘He is learned.’ And you recited the Qur’an that it might be said (of you) : ‘He is a reciter.’ And so it was said. Then he will be ordered to be dragged along on his face until he is cast into Hell-fire. (Another) will be a man whom Allah had made rich and to whom He had given al kinds of wealth. He wil be brought and Allah will make known to him His favors and he will recognise them. (the Almighty) will say: ‘And what did you do about them?’ He will say: ‘I left no path (un-trodden) in which You like money to be spent without spending in it for Your sake.’ He will say: ‘You have lied, you did but do so that it might be said (of you): ‘He is open-handed.’ And so it was said. Then he wil be ordered to be along on his  face until he is cast into  Hell-fire.’Muslim # 1905

Section One : Devil’s Deception of them regarding Booty

Iblis may convince a fighter to take from the booty that which does not belong to him. He could be of little knowledge thinking that nonbelievers’ wealth is lawful to whoever takes it He does not realise the severity of this sin.

In both Bukhari and Muslim, Abu Hurayrah (ratdiyAllahu anhu) said: We went to Khaybar along with the Messenger and Allah granted us victory. We gained neither gold nor silver but laid our hands on goods, corn and clothes, and then bent our steps to a valley. When we got down into the valley, a slave of Allah’s Messenger stood up and began to unpack the saddlebag and was suddenly struck by a (stray) arrow that proved fatal. We said: There is a greeting for him Messenger of Allah, as he is a martyr. Allah’s Messenger remarked: This is not so. By Him in Whose hand is the life of Muhammad, the mantle which he stole from the booty on the Day of Khaybar but which did not (legitimately) belong to his lot is burning like the Fire (of Hell) on him. The people were greatly perturbed (on hearing this) . A person came there with a lace or two laces and said: Messenger of Allah, I found (them) on the Day of khaybar.) remarked: This is a lace of fire or two laces of fire.

A warrior might be aware of the sinfulness of this act but is unable to resist the temptation of taking this large amount of wealth. He might also believe that his jihad will erase this sin.

This is where the effects (and understanding) of belief and knowledge becomes clear.

9.9 Devil’s Deception of those Ordering Good and Forbidding Evil (al-dmr bi’l-maruf wa’l nahyi ‘an al­ munkar)

They are of two types: People having knowledge and people who are ignorant.

Iblis deceives a knowledgeable person in two ways: The first is showing off and wanting to be mentioned.

Abu Salman said: I heard Abu Ja’far al-Mansur crying while giving the Friday sermon. I became angry and intended to get up and give him advice openly. Then I decided not to because I did not want to give the Khalifah be advice in front of everyone. I feared that I might showoff, and then executed for the wrong reason.

The second way is to be angry in defense of one’s own self Often times, someone who is forbidding evil is confronted with insult, so he retaliates in defense of himself ‘Umar Ibn ‘Abdu’l-‘Aziz once told a man: Had I not been angry I would have ordered you to be punished. He meant: you have made me angry so I fear that I will punish you for my sake, not Allah’s Sake.

On the other hand, if the who one orders good is ignorant, then the devil (easily) toys with him, resulting in him causing more harm than good because he might forbid from doing something that is permissible, or might forbid from doing something that is considered permissible (and valid) by some schools of jurisprudence. Some­ times they break doors, jump over fences and beat wrongdoers and insult them. And if they talk back at him, he becomes angry for himself.

It is also from Iblis’s deception of them that they talk about what they had done in public. They curse wrongdoers who might have repented and became better than them. They discuss things that they have seen that aught not be mentioned.

I heard some of these people talking about how they have attacked wrongdoers, broken their containers (of liquor) and beaten them severely. All of this is caused by ignorance.

As for scholars, you are safe when they forbid from evil. Members of the Salaf were gentle when forbidding evil.

Silah Ibn Ashyam saw a man talking to a woman so he said: ‘Allah sees the two of you, may Allah keep your affairs a secret as well as mine.’

And he used to pass by those playing and say: ‘My brothers! What is your opinion of a traveler who slept al night and played all day, when will he reach his destination?’ So one of the players under­ stood his point and said: ‘Friends! This man is teaching us,’ and he repented together with his friends.

Leaders are most deserving of be lenient towards when forbid­ ding evil. They ought to be told: Allah has raised your status so realise His bounty. Thanking Allah causes bounties to persist, and it is not right for you to commit sins in return for this bounty.

Iblis has convinced some worshipers not to forbid evil on the basis that only righteous people ought to do so. They say: I am not worthy because I am not righteous enough, so how could I impose on others?

This is wrong, for he should forbid others from committing sins

including sins that he, himself, is committing. However, it is better if he stops committing this sin and then forbids others. His admonishment would be more effective this way.

Ibn ‘Aqil said: When Abu Bakr al-Aqfali used to go out to forbid evil he used to take older men whose income came from their own work, such as Abu Bakr the baker and others. None of them used to accept charity or gifts, and they used to fast during the day and pray at night. He used to turn back anyone who was not like that, and used to say: if our army includes a sinner then we wil be defeated.

Chapter 10. The Devil’s Deception of the Ascetics (al-Zuhhad) and the Worshipers (al- ubbad)

A layman may hear verses of the Qur’an and Prophetic narrations that condemn (dhamm) al-dunya and think it is best to abandon life, without knowing the true objective of these verses. Iblis convinces him that he must abandon this life completely to succeed in the Hereafter. He stops attending jumm’ah and congregation prayers. He stops seeking knowledge and turns into a wild animal, believing that this is true asceticism. This notion becomes reinforced when he hears stories of those who secluded themselves in a mountain somewhere. They abandon their families and cause their mothers to cry for their departure. Some of them do not know the pillars of prayer, while others may have transgressed against others.

Iblis is able to deceive these people because of their lack of knowledge and contentment with the knowledge they have. Had they accompanied knowledgeable friends then they would have learned that life is not condemned for itself How could Allah condemn that which is necessary for the livelihood of a human including his sustenance, seeking knowledge and performing religious locations?

 What is condemned is to remove things from where they belong, or to use things excessively with rowdiness, and not as dictated by religion.

We were prohibited from living in seclusion on a mountain. The Prophet forbade from building a house in seclusion. Musnad Ahmad, #5650 on the authority of lbn ‘Umar (radyAllahu ‘anhuma). Abandoning congregation and jumm’ah prayers is a loss not a gain, and to abandon scholars and not to seek knowledge is utter ignorance. And departing from parents is a form of ingratitude towards them which is a major sin

As for those who went towards mountains for seclusion, perhaps they had no children or parents, otherwise they have committed something wrong

Some of the Salaf said: We were on our way to worship on a mountain when Sufyan al-Thawri saw us and asked us to return back.

Section One Devil’s Deception of the Ascetics (al-ubbad)

He convinces them not to seek knowledge. They exchange asceti with knowledge – the worse for the better. An ascetic (zahid) person only benefits himself, while a scholar, on the other hand, benefits others as well.

Another example of Iblis’s deception of them is making them believe that asceticism requires not indulging in things that are permissible. Some of them stop eating wheat bread or drinking cold water, others never taste fruits or eat very little and torture them­ selves with wearing wool.

This was not the way of Allah’s Messenger His Companions or their followers. They only felt hunger when they had nothing to eat, otherwise they would not. Allah’s Messenger used to eat meat and chicken, and used to like sweets and cold water.

A man said: “I never eat khabis (date and almond paste), since I know I cannot not be adequately thankful (to Allah) for it.”

Al- Hasan al-Basri said: “This man is foolish; is he able to give proper thanks for drinking cold water?!”

And Sufyan al-ThawrI when travelled used to take with him as provision roast meat as well as faluthaj (a mixture of margarine and honey).

A person must understand that his body is his ride; he must treat it gently so it can take him where he wants. Let him do that which is helpful to it and abandon that which harms it, including eating too much and being excessive in indulging in lusts. All of this harms the body and level of religiosity.

People differ in their natures. Desert Arabs will not be blamed if they wore wool and only drank milk as their bodies are able to with­ stand such a thing. On the other hand, for someone who is used to comfortable living, we forbid him from harming himself.

And as for those who avoid good living and delicious foods because of any resulting harm, we tell them that they have to practice moderation in order not to harm themselves.

Do not pay attention to the words of al- Harith Al-Muhasibi) and AbuTalib al-Makki regarding reducing food consumption and fighting lusts. Following the Legislator (i.e. the Prophet) and His Companions is better.

Ibn «Aqil used to tell those people: “Your affairs that are related to religion are strange! You either follow desires, or practice innovated monasticism. (You become religious) after acting foolishly during youth, neglecting rights, neglecting your own children, then you stick to the corners of masjids. Why can’t you just worship Allah as suggested by sound religion and intellect?!”

Iblis convinces them that asceticism only pertains to food and clothing, while their hearts are eager for leadership and prestige. They seek for leaders to visit them, and they honour the rich not the poor. Some of them might reject some financial gifts, yet they love for people to visit them and to kiss their hands. Indeed, leadership is the most sought after quality in life.

Section Two Devil’s Deception of the Worshipers (al- ‘Ubbad)

Subtle acts of showing off are used the most by Iblis to deceive worshipers. Thin postures, pale faces, messy hair, and soft voices are al obvious acts of showing off. So is showing off in charity and tn prayers.

We refer to the Prophetic saying: “Indeed actions are according to intentions.” Bukhari 1 /7 and Muslim #1 907.  When Allah’s Face is not sought by an action, then it will not be accepted.

Malik Ibn Dinar said: Tell those who are not sincere: do not tire yourself!

A believer only seeks Allah’s pleasure by his actions; however, he may still be subject to subtly showing off.

Yusuf Ibn Asbat said: Learn the right actions from wrong actions. It took me twenty-two years to do so.

It is out of fear of showing off that righteous people concealed their actions, and pretended to do the opposite of what they were doing. Ibn Sirin used to laugh during the day and cry at night.

And when Ibn Adham used to get sick he used to serve food that only healthy people ate.

Wahb Ibn Munabbih said that there used to be a very pious man who used to express his concern about showing off because of the attention he used to receive from people. When the king heard of this he decided to visit him. When the pious man heard about the king’s intention, he ordered for food to be brought and put it in front of him.

When the king arrived, the pious man began eating large bites of food and made sure the king saw him.  The king said: (someone who eats like this) no good would come from him, and left. The pious man said: Praise Allah Who made him go away.

Some ascetic people come to realise that their family members will talk to others about how ascetic they are. They feel that the fame they get because of this makes it easy for them to continue to be ascetic. Had they been sincere, they would have eaten with their families. This way they and the family members would not discuss this issue with others.

Dawud Ibn Abu Hind fasted for twenty years without his family knowing. He used to take his lunch and donate it to the poor on his way to the market place. The poor people thought that he ate at home, and his family members thought that he ate at the market place.

This was how people were.

Section Three Criticizing the Methodologies of the Ascetics (al-zuhhad)

Some of them enjoy that people talk about the fact that they go into seclusion. They claim that mixing with others may subject them to witness the sins that they commit. When in fact he is only arrogant, looks down on people, fears that they might not serve him as he deserves, that his high status may be affected, or that he feels that he might get exposed for his lack of knowledge. He loves to be visited upon but never visits others. And he loves the leaders to visit him and the laypeople to gather at his door and kiss his hand. He does not visit the il nor participate in funerals. And his followers say: Seek an excuse for the Shaikh, for this is his habit!

May there be no habit that goes against shariah     

Some of them prefer to stay hungry rather that going out to buy food. They do not want to mix with people so their high status does not get affected. He feels that if he goes out to buy food; his fame would lessen.

Allah’s Messenger used to visit the marketplace to buy for his needs, and used to carry them himself And Abu Bakr (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) used to carry clothes on his shoulder and used to buy and sell.

(Abdullah Ibn Hanzhalah (radiyAlllahu ‘anhu) said: (Abdullah Ibn Salam (ratdiyAllahu ‘anhu) passed by carrying a pile of firewood on his head. People told him: What makes you do this when Allah has sufficed for you? He replied: I wanted to repel arrogance. I heard Allah’s Messenger say: “A person with an atom’s weight of arrogance in his heart will not enter Paradise. Bukhari and Muslim.

It was the habit of early Salaf to go out for shopping. Like many things, this habit changed with time. However, in my opinion, a scholar must not go out for shopping nowadays, because this will cause the laypeople not to give him high status.

Not everything that the Salaf used to do must be done now. Especially, things that did not cause people’s hearts to change, but do today.

Al-Awza’i said: We used to laugh and joke, but when we became examples followed by others we stopped doing so.

Once Ibrahim Ibn Adham and his students were joking with each other when a man knocked at the door. Ibrahim ordered his com­ pany to stop joking with each other and to be silent. They said: Are you teaching us to showoff?!   He replied:  I hate  for others to disobey Allah because of you.

What he feared was for the laypeople to say: Look at what those ascetic people do. Laypeople do not withstand seeing such behavior from worshippers.

Section Four Devil’s Deception of them in compelling themselves to do that which is Not Compulsory

Some of them refuse to wear comfortable clothes. They feel that this will affect their honor. They would rather die than to be seen eating. They never smile, let alone laugh. Iblis deceives them to believe that this is for the benefit of others, when in fact it is showing off. You always see them with their heads down and signs of sorrow on them. However, once they are by themselves they turn into vicious lions.

The Salaf were keen on pushing away al that which brought fame to them. Yusuf Ibn Asbat said: I went to (the city of) Masjid. When people saw me, they came from everywhere to greet me, and when I  entered  the  masjid everyone  was  staring  at  me.  So  I  told  myself: “Until when am I going to continue like this?!” I took my bag and returned to my city with sweat and exhaustion, and did not return to Misisah for two years.

And some of them wear torn and tattered clothing and never fix their ‘imamah or comb their beards, this is so people think that they have no worldly goods.

This is a form of showing off.

Dawud al-Ta’i was asked: Why do you not comb your hair?! He replied: “I am too busy with other things.”

This was not the way of the Messenger or his Companions. He used to comb his hair, apply grease to it and wear perfume; all while being the person most occupied with the Hereafter.

Abu Bakr and umar (radiy Allahu anhuma) used to dye their hair with hema while being the most god-fearing and ascetic from among the Companions.

So, whoever claims to have reached a level that is higher than that required by the Sunnah and the actions of the great Muslims; then he should be ignored.

Other ascetic men choose to be always silent, and never mix with their families to the point that their families dislike them because of their bad manners.

They forget the Prophets saying: “Your family has rights over you.” He used to joke with others, and play with children and chat with his wives. He once raced with A’ishah (ratdiy Allahu anha), as well as many other pleasant manners.

This person claiming to be ascetic has made his wife as if she had no husband and his children as if they were orphans. He is never there for them, and treats them with bad manners. Some ascetic people become too rigid to the point of not having any sexual de­ sires. They stop performing obligatory rituals, and focus on things that are not obligatory instead. They believe that not doing so would occupy him from attending to the afterlife. They do not realise due their ignorance that being pleasant toward one’s family is part of attending to the afterlife.

The Prophet told Jabir (radiy Allahu ‘anhu) : ”Why do not you marry a virgin, so you play with her and she plays with you.” Bukhari 9 /104 and Muslim, #715.

Some of them also become very fond of their actions to the point of believing that they are from the al-Awtad the Poles.*
(Al- Watad refers to the peg that is driven into the earth to support a tent, its plural is awtad. In the terminology of the Sufis its refers to four individuals who are located at the four extremes of the earth – the north, south, east and west – and it is through them that Allah preserves those regions of the earth due to their being the place to which Allah, the Exalted, looks.) Lisan al-Arab’ [3/444]

They think that they can walk on water. And if their dua was not answered, they become disgruntled. It is as if they were employees seeking their salaries. Instead, they should realise that they are servants who should never boast about their actions. They should be occupied with concerns about their possible deficiencies. This was why some righteous persons used to say: “I seek Allah’s forgiveness from the lack of truthfulness.” Another was asked: Have you done something believing that it will be accepted? He answered: “The only action that I feel will be accepted is my fear that my actions will not accepted.”

And from Iblis’s deception of ascetics is to convince them to act upon what they feel is right, not based on the opinions of learned people.

Ibn ‘Aqil said: Abu Ishaq al-Khazzaz was a righteous man, he was the first to teach me Allah’s book. During Ramadan he used to not talk except with the verses of the Qur’an. So when he would ask for permission to enter he would say:

“Enter upon them through the gate.” [al-Maidah (5) : 23)

and used to tell his son:

“its herbs, its cucumbers”[al-Baqarah (2) : 61]

in order for him to buy cucumbers.   So l told him once: What you are doing is a sin, the Qur’an was revealed to provide religious rulings, and it must not be used for worldly things. What you are doing is just as if you made a pillow from the papers on which the Qur’an was written and slept on it. He did not accept what I said and never spoke to me again.

The Salaf disliked for an ascetic person who had not fulfilled the conditions of fatwa to give fatwa. Ahmad lbn Hanbal once asked Ismail Ibn Shabbah: Who is this Ahmad Ibn Harb who came from Khurasan?   Ismail responded by mentioning how ascetic and pious Ibn Harb was. So Ahmad lbn Hanbal responded: Someone like him must not push himself into giving fatwa.

Section Five The Relationship between the Scholars and the Ascetics

Iblis deceives the ascetics to look down upon the scholars. They say: “All that matters is action.” Little do they understand that knowledge is what illuminates heart. And had they known that scholars assume the status of Prophets in preserving the religion then they would have looked at themselves like how dumb people look at them­ selves in the presence of eloquent people, and how blind people look at themselves in the presence of those able to see. The Scholars are guides for all people.

Sahl Ibn Sad said that Allah’s Messenger told Ali Ibn Abi Talib  (radiy ‘Allahu anhu) ”It is better for Allah to use you to guide a single person rather than for you to earn red she camels.” Bukhari 7 /58 and Muslim 2406.

Also, they criticize scholars for enjoying permissible things that assist them in seeking knowledge. They also criticise those who gather money.

If they only understood the concept of mubah (permissible things) they would understand that those indulging in it deserve neither condemnation nor praise. Does it make sense for someone who prayed the night prayer to condemn he who prayed ‘Ishaa and then slept?

The ascetics must learn from the scholars, otherwise he must remain silent. Malik Ibn Dinar said: The devil plays with the ascetics just like children play with walnuts. Allah is the guide to the Truth, and unto him will be the final destination.

Chapter 12  Devil’s Deception of Pious People regarding Miracles  (al-karamat)  and the Sort

We have mentioned previously that devil’s ability to deceive a person is a function of how little knowledge he has. The less knowledge a person possesses; the more able devil will be to deceive him. And vise versa.

A worshipper may see a light in the sky. If he sees it during Ramadan,  he  would  say:  “I  have  seen  Laylatul Qadr (the  night  of power).”  And if he sees it outside Ramadan, he says: “the doors of heaven have opened for me.”   He might expect something to happen and it does happen, out of coincidence, or because of devilish deception. A wise person never goes by such things, even if it were a gift from Allah (karamah) .

Malik lbn Dinar and Habib al Ajmi both said: “The devil plays with readers (ascetics) just as children play with walnuts.”

Section One Examples of their Stories in matter of karamat (miracles)

Iblis has deceived some weak minded ascetics by showing them some al-Karamah to the point that some of them claimed to be Prophets:

Al- Harith al-Khadhhab used to see such illusions and miracles, and used to complain to his father about them and how he felt that they were from the devil. His father told him that they were not from the devil citing the verse:

“Shall I inform you (0 people!) upon whom the devils descend, they descend on every liar, sinful person” [al-Shu’arti’ (26): 221 -222]

and that he was not a liar or a sinful person so devils could not have descended upon him. Gradually, he began to believe in these illusions to the point of claiming to be a Prophet.   He was followed by many people until he was killed during the time of ‘Abdu’l-Malik.

Section Two Deception by What Appears to be Miracles

Farqad said: “One day I was worried about my tax which had amounted to six dirhams and I did not have the money. I prayed. Then while walking on the bank of the Euphrates I found six dirhams. I weighed them and found them to be exactly six golden dirhams. I told Ibrahim al-Nakh’i about this, so he said: “Give it in charity for they are not yours.”

Look at how scholars pay no attention to what appears to be a miracle! He asked him to donate them because they were not his.

Ibrahim al-KhurasanI said: “I needed to make wudu once, so I found a water container made from jewellery and a siwak made from silver. I used the siwak and made Wudu with the water.”

Some of the narrators of this story are not trustworthy. If this story turns out to be true, then it is a proof that this man lacks knowledge. If he knew better, he would not have used a silver siwak, because it is not permissible to do so. Allah would never grant some­ one a miracle that entails doing something that is not permissible.

Section Three Being Cautious from what appears to be a Miracle (al-karamah)

Since people realized the extent of devil’s deception, they warned from falling for things that appeared to be miracles. They feared that it may be from devil’s deception.

Zahrun said: “One day I was lost in the desert when I heard a white bird telling me: 0 Zahrun! Are you lost? I replied: You are a devil, find someone other than me to deceive.   Then the bird said: You are lost?   I repeated my response. Then he stood on my shoulder and said: I am not a devil. You are lost, and I was sent to you. Then he disappeared.”

Zulfa said: “I told Rabiah al-Adawiyyah: People say that you find food and drink in your home, is this true? She replied: If I did I would never touch it.”

And Rabi’ah once said: “One cold day I was yearning for a hot meal, and wished that I had some onions to make it with. Suddenly, a bird dropped an onion he had held with his beak. When I saw this I decided not eat out of fear that it was the devil who had done so.”

Wuhayb used to cry when people told him that he deserved to enter paradise. He used to say: I worry that this is from the devil.

Section Four Censuring sufis for their Claims [of piety]

‘Abdu’l-‘Aziz al-Baghdadi said: “I used to read sufi stories. So one day I climbed over the roof and heard a voice saying:

“He protects the righteous”[al-A ‘raf (7) : 196]

So, I jumped over the roof and found myself suspended in the air.”

This is impossible.   In addition, throwing one’s self from the roof is a sin, and believing that Allah would protect someone while com­ mitting a sin is false. Allah said:

“Do not throw yourselves into destruction”[al-Baqarah (2) : 195]

How could he have been righteous when he was disobeying his Lord?! And who told him that he was from among the righteous?!’

Many people have infiltrated sufis and imitated them. They were excessive in claiming high levels of holiness and made laypeople follow them using lies and deception.

Al- Hallaj used to bury food in certain places of the desert, and then he would invite friends to take a walk around the same area He used to make previous arrangements with one of the friends to ask him for the same type of food that he had hid. Then Hallaj would pray two units and then dig up the food.

And when al- Hallaj was brought to be executed he said to his friends: “Don’t worry about al of this, I will return to you after thirty days!”

The belief system of al- Hallaj was bad. I mentioned some aspects of his belief system in the beginning of the book, and how he was ordered to be executed by scholars of his time.

Some latter sufis used to apply grease (fire retardant) on his skin, and then would sit in the furnace pretending for this to be a miracle.

I mentioned all of this so everyone realizes how these people have played with religion.   How much of Shariah would remain after all of this?!

Chapter 13 Devil’s Deception of Laypeople

We have previously mentioned that devil’s deceptive ability increases in a manner that is proportional to the level of ignorance. Many laypeople fell for him.  It is impossible to mention all aspects of such deception, so we will mention major aspects.  And Allah is the Guide.

lblis whispers to the layperson to contemplate Allah’s nature.  So he begins to have doubt.  Allah’s Messenger said: “Satan comes to one of you and says: ‘Who created so-and-so?’ til he says: ‘Who has created your Lord?’ So, when he inspires such a question, one should seek refuge with Allah and give up such thoughts. Muslim 113

This occurred because people better understand that which they sense. They know that everything that they come across was previously created (so they ask the question: who created Allah?!) So we tell the layperson: Don’t you know that Allah created time when there was no time, and created place when there was no place, and that He created earth with nothing beneath it? So one should not seek to understand that which is not comprehensible to him. Con sult with your intellect, for it is a good consultant

Sometimes lblis makes people assume that Allah’s Attributes are similar to those of humans.

Iblis also deceives people from the angle of radical following of a school of thought (madhhab). You see a layperson cursing and fight­ ing over matters that he does not understand well. Some people fight over love for Abu Bakr (radiyAllahu ‘anhu), others fight over love for ‘Ali (radiyAllahu’ anhu). Plenty of wars happened because of such things!

People of Balkh and those of Basrah fought extensively over such matters throughout the years. Some were killed, and the wealth of some was burned, while those who partook in these fights wear silk and gold, drink liquor and commit murder.   Abu Bakr and ‘Ali are free from such people.

Some laypeople might assume that they have some good under­ standing regarding some issues, so Iblis convinces them to argue with his Lord: Why did He predestine and punish? Why does He increase the sustenance of a sinner, and reduce that of a believer?

Others thank Allah during good times, but object and disbelieve during difficult times. Some refuse to pray when stricken by a calamity.

And if a Christian defeats a Muslim, some laypeople say: “The cross has become victorious, so why should we perform salah?!”

All of these problems happen because Iblis takes possession of them. They are far from knowledge and scholars. If they only refferred to people of knowledge, they would have told them that Allah was wise and that He was the Owner. So there was no place for such objections.

Section One Devil’s Deception of Laypeople regarding al-Fatwa [Jurists Religious Advisory]

Some laypeople think too highly of themselves, so they stop caring about going against jurists. Whenever their Fatwas go against their personal opinions, they criticise them. Ibn ‘Aqil used to say:

If I were to interfere in the work of a craftsman he would tell me: “You are a scholar, may Allah bless your knowledge. This craft is not your specialty.” This is in spite of the fact that the craft is a form of physical work that is easy for me to learn.   On the other hand, what I am involved in (Islamic knowledge) is intellectual. If I were to give him fatwa, he would not accept.

Section Two Devil’s Deception of Laypeople to think that Ascetic Masters are of a Higher Class than Scholars

If laypeople saw a wool coat on the most ignorant of people they would glorify him, especially if he lowers his head and humbles him­ self to them. They compare him to scholars saying: “Scholars seek worldly gain, but this man (sufi) is ascetic, he does not eat fancy food and has never married.” They do not know the virtue of the scholar over that of a sufis. By doing so, they are claiming sufis to go beyond the Shariah of Muhammad Ibn ‘Abdullah (Pbuh)

It is of Allah’s bounty on such laypeople that they were not present at the time of the Messenger. Had they seen him getting married, eating chicken and enjoying sweets and honey; they would not have glorified him as much as they do now.

13.1 Devil’s Deception of Laypeople causing them to Attack Scholars

He deceives them to attack scholars who enjoy lawful things. This is the worst of ignorance.

Also, they always prefer strangers over local people; even if they are not aware of the soundness of their creed. They prefer strangers even though they might be Batiniyyah. You should trust those whom you have known well: Allah said:

“if then you find sound judgment in them, release their property to them”[al-Nisa’ (4) : 6]

And Allah mentioned the fact that people knew the Messenger He (the Mighty and the Majestic) said

“Indeed Allah conferred a great favour on the believers when He sent among them a Messenger from among themselves [Al imran (3): 1 64] and said

“Those to whom We have given the Scripture recognise him as they recognise their own sons”[Al Anam (6):20

Section One Glorifying the Ascetics

Some laypeople accept the claim of a sufi even if he goes against Shariah. Some of them tell a layperson: “Yesterday you have done such and such, and such and such will happen to you tomorrow.” The layperson believes him and thinks that he knows the unseen. Claiming to know the unseen is a form of kufr.

Also, they observe these sufis indulging in unlawful things, such as befriending women and being alone with them. They do not object because they believe in them.

Section Two Committing Sins Excessively

Iblis entices laypeople to dwell into sins, and when they get reprimanded they say things that zindiqs say. For example they say: “I will not abandon immediate pleasure for future pleasure.” This is because of their ignorance. This would be just like if a person suffering from fever is asked to eat honey, so he responds: “Fulfilling my immediate desire to eat honey is more important to me than my hope of cure!”

Had these people understood the reality of iman, they would know that Allah’s promise of the future pleasure is definite. Don’t they see how merchants risk a large sum of money for the sake of little gain?   It is unwise for them to give up that latter pleasure and to dwell into eternal punishment for the sake of small immediate gain

Some laypeople say: “Allah is generous, His forgiveness is vast, and having hope (in Allah) is from our religion.” They consider their wishful thinking: “hope”. This is what destroyed most sinners.

‘Al-Farazdaq asked those around him once: “If I were to do something wrong towards my parents would they throw me in a blazing oven?” They said: “No, they would have mercy on you.”   He said: ”I trust my Lord’s mercy more than I trust theirs.”

This is utter ignorance. Allah is merciful but not in the sense of being tender hearted.  Had He been tender hearted, no bird would be slaughtered, no child would die, and no one would enter the hell­ fire.

Al-Asma’ said: “I was with Abu Nawwas near the Ka’bah when he saw a beardless boy touching the Black Stone. Abu Nawwas said: ‘I am going to kiss him near the Black Stone.’ I replied: ‘Fear Allah! You are in a sacred city,.near the sacred house.’ He insisted and went and kissed the boy near the Black Stone. I said: ‘Do you do such a thing in the Haram?!’  He replied: ‘Leave that issue alone, my Rabb is merciful.’ Then he said (in poetry)

‘Two lovers had their cheeks wrap around one another next to the Black Stone, They gained satisfaction without sinning, as if they had an appointment with each other.

Look at how he considered Allah’s mercy but did not consider His wrath.

Some laypeople say: “Scholars are the ones who must follow Allah’s rules strictly, as for me I am not doing that bad.”

A scholar and a layperson are equally obligated to follow Shariah. And if a scholar commits a sin, this is not to be an excuse for laypeople to commit the same sin.

Some laypeople also say: How bad is my sin for me to deserve to be punished?! And who am I to be punished?! My sin does not harm Allah, and my obedience does not benefit Him. His mercy is greater than my crime. One of them said (poetry):

”Who am I in Allah’s eyes, for Him to punish me if I sin.”

This is great foolishness. They think that Allah only punishes someone who is of His status. By believing this they become defiant.

Ibn ‘Aqil (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) heard a man saying: “Who am I for Allah to punish me?!” So he responded: “If all humans were to die except for you, then Allah’s saying “O people! would apply to you.”

Others say: “I will repent, and I will rectify myself.” How many foolish negligent people were kidnapped by death before seeking repentance? It is not of good discipline for a person to delay doing the right thing. What if repentance never happens?!  Or what if it was not done correctly?! Or was not accepted?! And even if it was accepted, the shame of committing the sin will continue forever. So the difficulty associated with repelling sinful thoughts is easier than the agony of performing repentance.

Some people repent, and then go back to committing the same sin, so Iblis increases his effort to mislead them because of their weakness.

Al-Hasan said: If the devil finds you to be a sinner, he will announce your demise. And if he finds you to be obedient (to Allah) he will become fed up with you and reject you. And if he finds you fluctuating between obedience and sin, then he becomes eager to deceive you.

13.2 Devil’s Deception of Laypeople regarding their Lineage

Some people become fooled by their good lineage. You hear them saying: I am from the lineage of Abu Bakr, ‘Ali, Al-Hasan al-Husayn (radiyAllahu ‘anhum) or that virtuous scholar.

They base this belief of two foundations:

1. First: Thinking that he who loves someone will love his children and family

2. Second: That those righteous people will be allowed to inter­ cede, and their family members are most deserving of their in­ tercession.

Both issues are wrong:

As for love, Allah’s love is not like that of people. Allah only loves those who obey Him. People of the Book were from the lineage of Yaqub (‘alayhis-salam), but this did not help them.

As for intercession, Allah said: “they cannot intercede except for him with whom He is pleased [al-Anbia’ 21:28]

And when Nuh (‘alayhis-salam) wanted to be take his son with him on the ark, he was told:

“he is not of your family”[HUd 11: 46]

Ibrahim (‘alayhis-salam) was not allowed to intercede for his father. And our Prophet was not allowed to intercede for his mother, and He told Fatimah (radiyAllahu ‘anha’)”I do not suffice you anything regarding Allah’s orders.” Bukhari 8/386 and Muslim #206.

He who thinks that he will be saved because his father was saved, is just like he who thinks that he wil  become full when his father eats.

Section One Relying on one Virtue and Not Caring about Anything Else

Iblis deceives people to make them rely on one good thing that they have done, and then not worry what they did afterward:

Some of them say: “i am from the people ef Sunnah. ” But then he does not avoid sins. Believing that sins must be avoided is a must.

Avoiding them is a must as well. One of the two does not suffice from the other.

Rafidahs  (extreme  sect  of  the Shiah)  say:  Our allegiance to the Prophet’s Family will repel harm off us. This is a lie. It is piety that repels.

13.3 Devil’s Deception of Jobless “Gangs” in Stealing the Wealth of Others

These jobless people refer to themselves as the al-fityan (the gang), and claim that they never lie, commit fornication, or expose a woman’s secret. However, they are liberal in stealing people’s money paying little regard to the suffering of those whose money they steal.

They swear by the ”gang”, and make their members wear certain types of pants, just as sufis make their followers wear patched garments.

Some of them kill their sisters and daughters because of rumours. They consider this manliness.

Section One Focusing on Voluntary Religious Acts and Neglecting Obligatory Ones

Some laypeople come to the masjid before Adhan and pray volun­ tary prayers (nafila), yet,  while  praying the obligatory prayer (faraid)behind the Imam, they rush and go faster than the Imam.

Some of them do not attend obligatory congregation prayers, but attend the al-Ragha’ib prayer.

Others cry while performing worship, but insist on committing sins, and say: ”We do some good, and we do some bad, but Allah is merciful and forgiving.”

Most of them use their personal opinions in performing worship. They do more harm than good.

I have known a person who memorised the entire Qur’an and became ascetic, then requested to be castrated. This is one of the worst sins.

Section Two Attending Gatherings of al-Dhikr

Many laypeople attend al-dhikr sessions and cry. They think that this is all they need to do. Little do they know that the objective is to act upon what is said. In fact, the knowledge you gain wil only be a burden on you if you do not act upon it.

I know people who have attended al dhikr sessions for years. They cry and feel humble, yet, they continue to deal in usury, cheat in buying and selling, ignore the pillars of prayer, backbite Muslims and disobey parents.

Iblis convinced these people that attending such sessions and crying will repel punishment for the sins they commit.

He made others believe that sitting with scholars and righteous people does the same thing.’

Also, he made others procrastinate.

And made others only watch and not act.

13.4 Devils’s Deception of Wealthy People (ashab al-amwal)

His deception of them takes four shapes:

1. First Not caring of the method by which they gain wealth. Usury has become prevalent in financial dealings, and people became accustomed to it. Most dealings do not enjoy the approval of all scholars.

2. Second. Stinginess and not paying the due zakah because of reliance on Allah’s forgiveness. Some of them give part of the due zakah and believe that it will suffice. And others use deceptive techniques in order not to pay it. For example, they might give their wealth as a gift before owning it for an entire year, and then they take it back later. And others overestimate their charity, so they would give a poor person a garment that is only worth two dinars but count it as a ten dinar of  zakah. Others give charity from the lowest quality of what they own.      

And others give an annual salary to an employee and count it as zakah.

Others give the due zakah in full. Iblis whispers to them that they are in no need to give any more voluntary charity. So they miss out on the reward, and they die before enjoying spending their money.

3. Third: Believing that having a lot of money is a reward for their righteousness. This is ignorance. Virtue is gained through good personal traits, not through collecting money. A poet once said:     

“Having a wealthy soul is better than having financial wealth, and the wealth of the soul lies within it, not in what is  outside of it.”

4. Fourth: In spending wealth. Some people spend money wastefully:

Sometimes by spending money for unnecessary things, such as decorating homes and making pictures,

And sometimes by wearing extravagant clothing, And sometimes by eating food wastefully,

These actions are either sinful or makroh (disliked), and they will be accounted for.   Allah’s Messenger said: “O son of Adam! On the Judgment Day you will be allowed to walk free until you are questioned about four things: Your life, how you spent it, your body how you used it, your wealth how you gained it and spent it and your knowledge what you did with it.” (Authenticated hadith Juz’ dhamm man lti ya’mal bi’ilmhi, 1 of Imam lbn ‘Asakir)

Some wealthy people spend money on building masjids and bridges but only to showoff and gain reputation. He writes his name on the establishment. Had his deed been for Allah’s sake he would not have done so. And if  he were to  be asked to build a wall and write his name on it he would not have done so!

Another  example  of  showing  off  is  that  during  Ramadan  they light candles in the masjids they had built, while the same masjid remains unlit the entire year. The reason is that they would not get the same recognition for lighting the masjid all year as they would for lighting it during Ramadan. It would have been better for them to give the poor the money which they had spent on candles.

Others get lighter (golden) dinars (made from less gold), and give them as charity in public, just so people say: So and so gave away a dinar.

Early righteous people used to  do the exact opposite.   They used to wrap a heavy dinar, one that weighs one and a half dinars, with a piece of paper.   They used to give it to a poor person in secret. When the poor man used to look at the wrapped charity he used to think that it was a piece of bread, but then realized it was a dinar. Then he would assume it was a light dinar, but then realized it was a heavy dinar. So the poor person would become happy at each stage, and the reward of the giver multiplies each time.

Some wealthy people donate to foreigners but do not donate to more deserving relatives.

Allah’s Messenger said: “Charity to the poor is only a charity. But charity to those of kin is two things: a charity and a reason for maintaining ties of kinship.” Abu Dawud #2355, and TirmidhI #658792

And some people know the virtue of giving charity to poor relatives, but they do not give them because of family feuds. If they were to donate to them, they would get the reward of: charity, giving a relative and fighting lust.

Some people perform Hajj again and again in order to gain people’s praise.          

A man told Bishr al-Haffi: I’ve saved two thousand dirhams to perform Hajj.

So Bishr said: Have you performed Hajj in the past? The man replied: Yes.

Bishr said: Then give the money to a man in debt. He said: I am only inclined to performing Hajj .

Bish replied: Your objective is for people to say that you are a Hajj

Some people spend money on singing and dancing sessions. Iblis makes them believe that they are doing good deeds by feeding the poor people who attend these gatherings. We have discussed how such things negatively affect the heart.

And some wealthy people use silver utensils and silverware during engagement parties. Some scholars attend such parties and do not criticize the host, out of adhering to bad habits.

Some wealthy people transgress in writing their wills. They deprive some deserving heirs because they believe that they are free to do whatever they want with their money. They forget that by becoming ill (their death illness) then their heirs become deserving of receiving their share of the inheritance.

13.5 Devil’s Deception of the Poor (alfuqara)

Some poor people pretend to be poor when they are rich. Then they resort to begging which is a sin that is punishable by hell.

Allah’s Messenger said: “He who begs to increase his riches is in fact asking only for a live coal. It is up to him to decrease it or increase it.” Muslim 1041

Even if they do not beg others, but only hope for people to believe that they are ascetic, then they are showing off.

And if they are truly poor, then it is better for them to conceal this fact. Some of the Salaf used to always carry a key with him in order to make others think that he owned a home, when in fact he was so poor that he had no home, and spent his nights in the masjid.

Also, Iblis convinces a poor person that he is better than a rich person. This is because he has given up on becoming rich like him. This is wrong because betterment is not a function of what one possesses.

13.6 Devil’s Techniques in deceiving the Majority of Laypeople

He convinced them to follow practised customs, which is the major reason for their falling into error.

For example, they imitate their parents in following customs without question. Some of them become fifty years old practicing what his father used to do without thinking if this custom was good or bad.

Another example is imitating Jews, Christians and idol worshipers. And many Muslims only perform salah as a custom. Some people spend years praying in a manner similar to what he sees others praying; while he does not recite al-Fatihah properly and is not aware of the al-wajibat (obligations of salah). They do not attempt to learn how to pray properly, yet, if one of them plans to travel he would ask others about the details of travel.

Some people make rnku’ and sujud before the Imam. I saw people making taslim while the Imam is doing it and before completing reciting tashahhud.

And some of them abandon performing obligatory rituals but perfect performing voluntary rituals.

Other people neglect to properly wash some of the wudu parts, such as the ankles.   And they do not make sure that water reaches the areas of their fingers that are beneath their rings. This makes their wudu invalid.

As for their business dealings, they are mostly invalid, and they do not make effort to learn proper dealings. And when they decide to follow Shariah, they follow some jurist’s lenient rulings.

They rarely sell something without cheating and concealing its faults.

And during Ramadan some of them continue to miss obligatory prayers, eat unlawful foods, and backbite others.

Some people mortgage their homes, then pay off the mortgage just so people do not find out that they were in need. They could have sold other goods, or moved to another house.

Other people continue to practice the habit of relying on fortunetellers. This has become prevalent among people. They seek the advice of fortunetellers when traveling, designing clothes or getting treatment by cupping (al-hijamah). They have horoscope schedules in their homes, but many of them do not have a copy of the Qur’an in the same homes.

Some people asked Allah’s Messenger about the fore-tellers, He said: “They are nothing.” They said: ‘O Allah’s Messenger! Sometimes they tell us of a thing which turns out to be true.” Allah’s Messenger said: “A Jinn snatches that true word and pours it into the ear of his friend (the fore-teller) . The foreteller then mixes with that word one hundred lies.” Bukhari #32 1 0 and Muslim #2228.

And Allah’s Messenger said: “Whoever went to a fortune­ teller and asked him about some matter (i.e. of the unseen) and believed him, will have his prayer rejected for forty days.” Muslim #2230.

And he said: “Whoever went to a fortune-teller and believed in what he said, has disbelieved in what was revealed to Mulhammad” Musnad Al,mad 2/408, Abu Dawud #3904, Tirmidhi # 135 and lbn Majah 639

Out of habit, many laypeople swear by Allah falsely, and many of them say things that equalize Zihar without knowing. They say: It is a sin for me to sell such and such.

They wear silk and gold. Some of them refrain from wearing silk except on Fridays.

Also from their bad habits is not forbidding evil. Some people see their own relatives drinking alcohol and wear silk but do not forbid them, and they do not treat them differently because of what they are committing. Instead, they mix with them as if they are doing nothing different.

Some laypeople build a terrace at the entrance of their homes. They make the road narrower, and rain accumulates around the terrace.   They must remove the rain, and they are sinning because of their harming of Muslims.

And from their bad habits is to enter the bathroom without covering their ‘awrah (private area), then they allow the masseur to touch their thighs which are a part of their ‘awrah, because the ‘awrah is from the belly button to the knee.

They also do not treat their wives fairly, sometimes forcing them to give up some of their dowry. And they think that they do not have to pay that part anymore. Some husbands sway toward one wife more than the other. They do not treat both of them equally thinking that it is not a major issue.

Allah’s Messenger said: “If a man has two wives between whom he is unjust, he will come on the Day of Judgment with one of his shoulders dropping down.” Musnad Al:imad 2/295, Abu Dawud #2133, TirmidhI # 1141 , Nasa’I7 /63 and Ibn Majah # 1969.

Some of them declare bankruptcy in front of the judge in order not to pay the due rights of others. They think that by doing so, they become relieved from paying those rights.

Another bad habit is that workers who are paid for an entire day’s work spend too much time not working, either because they are lazy or because of wasting time fixing tools; like sharpening axes and saws. This is cheating unless it is something minor, and is within social norms. Some of them claim that they do not have to perform Salah while working claiming that it would not be fair to get paid for the time they spent praying. Little do they know that prayer times are excluded from any hiring contract.

Also, they are not sincere in their work.

Another bad habit is putting a dead person in a coffin when burying him. This is disliked. As for the shroud, it must be of moderate quality, not too expensive and not too cheap. People put some clothes in the coffin to be buried with the deceased, which is a sin because it is a waste of wealth.

Also, they conduct wailing sessions for the deceased. Allah’s Messenger said: “If the wailing woman does not repent before she dies, she will be made to stand on the Day of Judgment wearing a garment of tar and a mangy coat of armor.” Muslim #934.

And they slap their faces and tear their clothes, especially women. Allah’s Messenger said: “They are not from us; those who beat their cheeks, tear open their garments, and call out with cries from the days of ignorance.” Previously referenced. Those who witness this happening usually do not advice against it. Sometimes those who do not partake in such acts are accused of not having true feelings of sadness for the deceased.

They also visit graveyards on the fifteenth night of Sha’ban. They light candles and take home with them some sand of virtuous people’s graves.

Ibn ‘Aqil said: “Some people felt the burden of religious responsibilities, so they innovated their own practices to make things easy for them. In my opinion, those who glorify graves, kiss them, light candles on them, pray to the deceased: ‘O my master!   Help me’, seek blessing in the sand of the graves, pour perfume on them, and travel long distances to reach them, they are kafirs.

You rarely find such people eager to know the details of zakah. Instead, they reprimand him who does not kiss the Cave site, and does not wipe over the stones of the Ma’munnyyah Masjid on Wednesdays.

13.7 Devil’s Deception of Women (al-nisa)

As for devil’s deception of women, then they are very many. I have written a seperate book just for women. I have mentioned in it what is related to them with regards to all the acts of worship and other than that. I will mention here just a few words of the deceptions of Iblis upon them.

From that is a woman will finish her menstruation after the sun has risen, so she will perform ghusl after the time of al-‘Asr and she will pray the al Asr prayer only,  and  the al-zhuhr prayer was compulsory upon her to pray!

From them are those who will delay the ghusl for two days, making the excuse that she has to wash her clothes.

Perhaps she will delay the ghusl from janabah in the night to the rising of the sun. And when she enters the bathroom she will not cover herself and she says: “My sister, my mother and my slave girl are women just like me, so from whom should I cover up?!” and all of this is haram.

It is not allowed for the woman to look at what is between the navel and the knees of another woman even if it is her daughter or her mother except if the daughter is a small child, but when she reaches seven years of age then she is to cover up, and others should cover up from her.

Maybe the woman will pray sitting down while she is able to pray standing. the salah will then be invalid.

Maybe she will make the excuse of the impurity of her clothes.

Because of the urine of her child while she is able to wash them. But if she was to leave the house she will adorn herself and even borrow clothes! She is lax with regards to the salah.

Maybe she does not know any of the rulings with regards to the salah and she will not ask.

Maybe she will uncover that of herself that will cause her salah to be invalid and she won’t pay it any attention.

Maybe she won’t take care with regards to having a miscarriage, and she doesn’t know that if she has a miscarriage (intentionally) with that which has a soul blown into it, then she has killed a Muslim!

Maybe she will live with her husband in an evil manner, she may speak to him with that which is haram and she will say: ” This is the father of my children and that is all that is between us” and she will leave the house without his permission and she says: “I didn’t go out to sin” while she doesn’t know that leaving the house without his permission is a sin in itself!

From them are those whom their husbands call to the bed and they refuse, thinking that this refusal is not a sin, while she is forbid­ den to do so. Allah’s Messenger said: “If the man calls his woman to the bed and she refuses, and she spends the night while he is angry with her, the angels curse her until she reaches the morning.”

She will spend carelessly out of the wealth of her husband, and it is not allowed for her to take anything out of the house except with his permission, or except if she knows he wil be pleased with that.

Some women pay fortune-tellers and magicians to make others love them or to cause others to become speechless. All of which is haram.

Some pierce children’s ears, which is haram.

Others attend sufi sessions where they allow Shaikhs to put rags on them, and to shake their hands. She becomes his daughter they claim, and do wonders with them.

I must stop unleashing my pen now, because this is a long subject. If I were to go into further detail, and to reference hadiths and narration, the book would turn into many volumes in size.

I only mentioned a small portion so it would point to the bigger portions.

And we did not refute arguments unless they are clearly wrong.

May Allah, by His Generosity, prevent us from error, and guide us to righteous sayings and doings.

Chapter 14 Devil’s Deception of People by giving them High Hopes (of living long)

Many Jews and Christians contemplated joining Islam, but Iblis convinced them to procrastinate saying: “Do not rush, look more into the issue.” Until they die as non-Muslims.

He also causes the sinner to procrastinate seeking repentance. A poet said:

“Do not rush into committing a sin, and then procrastinate repenting.”

Iblis makes those seeking righteousness feel lazy, and he causes those who are serious to procrastinate. He convinces a jurist to rest instead of going over his lesson again. And convinces a worshipper who had woken up to pray at night that he still has a lot of time.

Iblis tries to make people lazy procrastinators, and to make them have hope (of a long life). A disciplined person must take advantage of time, and never procrastinate. That which is feared can never be trusted, and that which passes can never be brought back again.

The main reason for doing less good and more evil is relying on the hope of a long life, this is because a person continues to procrastinate performing good deeds and refraining from evil deeds.

He who hopes to wake up in the morning will not do much at night, and he who hopes to travel during the day will travel much at night. However, he who sees death to be near works hard during his life. Allah’s Messenger said: “Perform prayer as if you were departing.”  Musnad Alhmad, 5/412, Bukhari in al- Tarikh al-Kabir, 3/2/216 and lbn Majah #4171

Some of the Salaf said: “Beware of procrastination, for it is one of devil’s strongest weapons.”

A disciplined person prepares for his journey, while a procrastinator doesn’t. So when it comes time to travel the disciplined person feels happy while the procrastinator feels that he is in trouble. This is how people are. Some are alert, so when the Angel of Death comes they do not feel guilty.   Others are not disciplined, so they feel the agony when it comes time to travel.

If procrastination is part of your nature then repelling it becomes difficult. But when one knows that he has a persistant enemy he will always be on guard.

We ask Allah to give us safety from the enemy’s cunning, the devil’s fttnah’s and the evils of ourselves and the dunya. Indeed He is near and responsive.

May Allah make us from among those who are believers.

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