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بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

 Nafsiya Reflections: Self-Destruction: The Path to Self-Destruction!

AsslamuAlakykum WRWB,

Welcome to today’s episode of Nafsiyah Reflections - Self Justification: The Path to Destruction!

If I was to dare you to drink a little alcohol or perhaps have a bite of a ham pizza, would you? No, right? Because as we understand, this is completely forbidden from Islam, Alhamdulillah. But what if I asked you to tell a small white lie for me to my parents or teachers or anyone for that case? Or if I asked you to join me for lunch with friends, where both male and females will be present? Would it be as easy to say NO? It may seem these are not as bad as eating and drinking haram but really in the eyes of Allah all of these are 1 category – Haram.

We, Insaan, humans, are unique beings, we function in a really distinctive way. Our behaviour or the way we act, revolves around the ideas and perceptions we have about the things around us. For example, I believe and know, fire is hot! It burns. So, I won’t place my hands on the stove! A knife is sharp and can cut my finger. So, I will use it very carefully! My actions towards these things will be shaped by the the understanding and concepts I have about them. Just like this: When we hear the word alcohol – we know haram Or pork – We know haram And wearing the Hijab – We know fard or praying Salah – We know Fard. Alhamdulillah! So because we have accepted and adopted these as our ideas – We try our utmost best to act accordingly. The beauty of Islam is that – it gives us a criteria, framework or guideline for every possible action that exists. It provides for us the correct idea and perception about all the things around us for us to act in the best manner possible.

When we were asked to tell –perhaps- a harmless lie or have a friendly –yet mixed- lunch with a bunch of nice people, it is so easy for us to hear and know – that’s hararm! The problem has become this: Living in today's era we have become distanced from the Islamic criteria, framework and guidance. We have learnt to think and act in a completely different way. This other way is dangerous! Let me explain. We see drugs, crime, illicit relationships, promiscuity, theft and much more is not only rife but shamelessly open! These things are justified as ‘not bad’ or as ‘normal’ or as ‘harmless’. By who? Our own self. Our Mind. Our brain! We tell ourselves that it’s ok! We can talk to ourselves and explain how and why it’s fine! This is self Justification!

Self-Justification is a rotten disease which gradually distances one from good, convincing ourselves of our lies until eventually were divorced from the truth. Something that may begin as minor and small can turn into the most extreme version of things that one wouldn’t ever imagine - From just a puff of a cigarette to becoming a drug addict, or an exchange of a text message between the two sexes to committing zina. It doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a painfully slow journey where one doesn’t realise the severe dangers along the way.

The question now is – If Islam isn’t the reference for our actions and therefore justifications are required for them, what is the reference? Where are our ideas and perceptions coming from? Even though many don’t realise it, instead of following the commands of Allah STW, many have adopted the secular, capitalist, in other words, freedom loving, individualistic, ‘this is my life’ way of living. This reference, or this criterion for actions allows desires, wants and the mind to dictate behaviour.

This has resulted in justifying the wrong actions with saying things like:

-“At least I’m better than others”
-“Allah knows my weaknesses and I’m not a bad person.”
- “I will change in the future”
- “I’m not ready for it yet, it’s too difficult to change”
- “As long as I’m pure inside, Allah will forgive me”
What these all really translate into is: “I don’t want to give it all up.”

This is when we should be worried. Because it means we have handed away our lives to the world. We seek the pleasure and the joys of this word. For that we pay a heavy price. Our hereafter. It means, we forget that Allah created us only to worship and obey Him. To live in the way He wishes for us. It means we have lost to shaytaan, the biggest enemy of Allah – whose job it is to deceive and mock us! We allowed him to win!

Allah SWT says

“Then began Satan to whisper suggestions to them, bringing openly before their minds all their shame that was hidden from them (before): he said: "Your Lord only forbade you this tree, lest ye should become angels or such beings as live for ever." (Surah Al-A'raf, 20)

Shaytaan is the most patient and determined being when it comes to swaying the believers! He will never tell us directly to reject the command of Allah – his tactic is start small. So small, it doesn’t seem wrong – this is where the self-justification journey begins! Allah SWT out of his mercy gifted to us AL-ISLAM; the thinking man’s belief, it came to humans to live their short lives in this world filled with tranquillity. It provides the best outcomes for mans every need and want, it was tailored around the nature of human beings and gives us EXACTLY what’s needed. It requires for us only to follow it to obtain the best of this world and the next!

Anything else confirms only one thing – The path to destruction!

May Allah protect us from such disgrace and grant us the tawfeeq to LOVE to worship him in the most pleasurable way. Ameen

JZK for joining us, until next time!

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