The Evil Effects of Sins and the Way Back to Allah

Although the valley of knowledge is extremely difficult, it is the very path that leads to the intended goal, namely, worship and salvation.

Those Deprived of Knowledge

The Beloved Prophet (صَلَّى ٱللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ) said:

“On the night of Mi‘raj, I looked into Hell and saw that the majority within it were the poor.”

The noble Sahabah (عليهم الرضوان) asked: “Ya RasulAllah (صَلَّى ٱللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ)! Poor in terms of wealth?”

He (صَلَّى ٱللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ) replied:

“No, poor in terms of knowledge.”

The Evil Effects of Sins

The one who is covered in various forms of filth and impurity, how can he attain closeness with Allah Almighty? Certainly, the person who persists in sins is rarely granted the ability to perform righteous deeds, nor are his limbs prepared for worship. The n even if he does receive the tawfiq to worship, he performs it with great difficulty, worship that contains neither sweetness nor delight, neither purity nor beauty. All of this is due to the evil effects of sin and the abandonment of repentance.

Sincere Repentance Will Be Granted

The one who cannot bear the heat of the sun, the slap of a soldier, or the sting of an ant, how will he bear the heat of the Fire of Hell, the blows of the angels of punishment, and the bites of snakes with necks like Bakhti camels and scorpions like mules , creatures created from fire in the abode of wrath and destruction (Hell)? Again and again, we seek Allah’s protection from His anger and punishment.

If you continuously remember these terrifying matters and keep their remembrance fresh morning and evening and during the hours of the night, then soon sincere repentance from sins will be granted to you. May Allah Almighty grant ability and grace to do good (tawfiq) through His grace.

The Cure for Sins: Learning, Practicing, and Avoiding Disputes

A Prescription for Staying Away from Sins

The fear is that when a person fears the painful punishment prepared by Allah Almighty, along with the various punishments and warnings of disgrace from His side, then this fear will frighten the Self Ego or Soul (nafs) away from sins and restrain it. Thus, at this stage, the servant faces the path of those things which encourage him toward worship, and in order to cross it, both fear and hope are needed. Therefore, with the ability and grace to do good (tawfiq) of Allah Almighty, the servant should begin traversing this path.

The Example of Knowledge and Actions

Knowledge is like a tree, and worship is like its fruit. The greatness belongs to the tree because it is the foundation, but its benefit is attained through its fruit. For this reason, the Beloved Prophet (صَلَّى ٱللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ) said:

Knowledge is the leader of actions, and actions are its followers.

Learning Religious Knowledge Is Necessary

Sometimes you become involved in pure showing off,yet think of it as praising Allah Almighty and calling people toward goodness. In this way, you begin considering sins as virtues and actions worthy of punishment as tremendous rewards. Thus, you become trapped in severe deception and terrible heedlessness. By Allah! For those who act without knowledge, this is indeed a tremendous and terrible calamity.

Stay Away from Arguments

It is necessary for you to avoid debates, arguments, and tugging back and forth, because this is a disease for which there is no cure. Therefore, make every effort to protect yourself from it, because whoever becomes afflicted with this illness neve succeeds, except the one whom Allah Almighty covers with His grace, mercy, kindness, and favor.

To Control the Self Ego or Soul (Nafs)

To remove the obstacles that stand in the path of worship, four things are required:

• Withdrawing from worldly attachment,
• Seclusion from creation,
• Battling Shaytan,
• Opposing the Self Ego or Soul (nafs).

Among these, dealing with the Self Ego or Soul (nafs) is the most difficult, because separation from it is impossible. Nor can it be completely subdued through extreme harshness, as Shaytan can, because the Self Ego or Soul (nafs) is the mount and means through which worship is carried out. Whenever a person intends to perform worship and turn toward it, he cannot expect cooperation from the Self Ego or Soul (nafs), because opposition to goodness and following desires are part of its nature. 

In such a situation, it becomes necessary to place the reins of God-consciousness Piety or Fear of God (taqwa) upon the Self Ego or Soul (nafs) so that it does not rebel and become defiant. Rather, it should remain obedient and submissive to the servant, enabling him to use it in righteous and beneficial deeds while preventing it from places of destruction and corruption. In this way, one should prepare to cross this difficult pass and seek help from Allah Almighty for it.

Repent Before Worship

When a person begins engaging in worship, he should look at himself and realize:

 

“I am covered in faults and sins,” And this is the condition of most people. 

He should then say to himself: “How can I proceed upon the path of worship while I am immersed in sins and still persisting in them? Therefore, it is necessary that I first repent from my sins, so that Allah Almighty may forgive me, free me from the imprisonment of sins, and cleanse me from their filth and impurity. Then, after becoming purified, I may become worthy of worship and closeness to Allah Almighty.

Successful People

 

By Allah! This path (the path toward Paradise) is extremely difficult and filled with dangers. Because of this, very few people walk upon it. There is a saying:

When the objective is great, those striving for it are few.

Minhaj al ‘Abidin, p. 17

Then, among those who walk this path, very few remain steadfast, and among them, only a small number succeed in reaching the intended goal. In reality, these are the honored ones whom All ah Almighty selected for His recognition and love, protected through His divine aid, and through His grace granted them His pleasure and Paradise. We pray that Allah Almighty, through His mercy, includes both you and us among these successful people

Paradise and Hell

A Hadith states:

Paradise has been surrounded by hardships, and Hell has been surrounded by desires

2 Mujam Kabir, vol. 9, p. 104, Hadith: 8546 – Minhaj al ‘Abidin, p. 16

This blessed Hadith mentions that Allah Almighty has surrounded Hell with desires, meaning that the path leading toward Hell outwardly appears very attractive. Walking upon this path seems very easy, while avoiding it appears extremely difficult. At every step upon this path, there are comforts and pleasures for the nafs, and because of this, the nafs is naturally inclined toward it. However, this path, which outwardly appears attractive, ultimately pushes a person toward Hell.

Just as Hell has been surrounded by desires, Paradise too has been surrounded by hardships and difficulties. Paradise itself is extremely beautiful, but the road leading to it is very difficult.

The famous Mufassir, Hakim al Ummat Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan رَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ states: “Hell itself is dangerous, but on the road leading to it there are many artificial flowers and gardens. The sins and evils of this world, which outwardly seem very appealing, are in fact the road to Hell. Paradise is a fruitful garden, but its road is thorny, and crossing it is burdensome upon the nafs. Salah, fasting, Hajj, Zakah, Jihad, and martyrdom are all paths leading to Paradise. Remaining steadfast upon acts of worship and separating oneself from desires are truly difficult matter.

The Stubbornness of Satan

Once, Sayyidun ā Mūsā عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ was traveling toward Mount Tur when he encountered the accursed Satan, who was crying. Satan said, “I wish to repent. Ask Allah Almighty what the method of my repentance is.” Sayyidunā Mūsā عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ presented this matter in the court of Allah and asked regarding the method of Satan’s repentance. Allah Almighty replied: “Tell him that if he prostrates to the grave of Ādam عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ, I will accept his repentance.” 

Sayyidunā Mūsā عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ informed Satan: “I have returned after asking about the method of your repentance. Simply prostrate to the grave of Ādam عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ, and your repentance will be accepted.” Upon h earing this, Satan burst into mocking laughter and said, “O Mūsā! When Ādam عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ was physically present before me, I did not prostrate to him. So how can I now prostrate at his grave?”