Islam teaches that we can overcome Satan, evil people and a corrupt world through our faith and reliance on Allah Almighty. However, the greatest challenge we face is conquering our ego, greedy, stubborn and arrogant self. Today, I want to share valuable insights from a spiritual master who mastered the art of uncovering the deceptions that lie within us. On the other hand, the results of living a life of faith are amazing.
Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi in one of his couplets says:
“The rewards of faith are blissful delight,
A heart at peace, bathed in Allah’s light.
Through every storm, a soul that’s still,
Guided by His grace, aligned with His will”
Conscientious people are continually striving to live well and triumphantly. This requires care and vigilance. The forces around us may be formidable, but they are ultimately conquerable. The most dangerous adversary is our ego – the Nafs. This inner-narcissistic voice is constantly urging us towards negative desires, guilty pleasures and beastly passions. It is imperative that we keep it under control, transforming it into a force that obeys Allah, prays and is charitable. If left unchecked, the ego will become rebellious; so, it is essential to monitor it diligently.
Our goal is to become a ‘content self’ better known as Nafs-Al Mutmainnah. A state that is tranquil, satisfied with the remembrance of Allah. On the Day of Judgment, Allah will summon, “O Content self, return to your Lord, satisfied, and enter among My devotees; enter My paradise” (Al-Fajr: 27-30).
Let us engage in an honest dialogue with our self
Hafiz Abdul Karim of Eidgha Shareef was a devout teacher of the inner sciences of religion, in his book Journey to Allah, he helps the reader to discover the deceptions of the self. This excerpt is touching and impactful, enjoy reading it.
Self, do you not recognise your ignorance? There is none more foolish than you. Paradise and hell stand before you, yet you cling to the fleeting pleasures of this world. Understand that death is unpredictable; it could come today or tomorrow. The things that seem distant may be closer than you think. Death is sudden and comes without warning – in any season and at any age. Reflect on the divine words: “The time of reckoning has come close, but they are heedless and have turned away” (Anbiya: 1).
I urge you, “Self! Do not dare to disobey the Lord. He is watching you; if you deny that, then your faith is in question. When you knowingly disobey Allah, you reveal a shameful recklessness. You exert great effort for worldly accomplishments. When faced with obstacles, you seek help and apply countless strategies to evade harm. Yet, where is your trust in Allah’s generosity? You rely on creation rather than the Creator. These are the deceptions you must uncover.
Reflect on your faith and prepare for the Hereafter
Remember that while Allah has taken care of worldly affairs – if you try – your hereafter depends entirely on your own actions. If your deeds contradict divine commands, you must question your faith. “Do you believe you will be abandoned? Weren’t you once a mere drop of semen, transformed into flesh? Is Allah not capable of resurrecting the dead?” (Al-Qiyamah: 37-40).
Why do you hesitate to worship if you believe? You diligently follow the advice of a kafir doctor yet struggle to heed the teachings of the divine Messenger (peace be upon him) who performed miracles. It’s time to reflect: why do you prioritise a child’s warning – about a scorpion on your clothes, and you throw them off – over the messages from our Prophet (peace be upon him)? Are you not aware that the torment of Hell is far more severe than any pain in this world?
This complacency is not the mark of wisdom. If you believe, why do you procrastinate in acting? Death is always lurking around the corner. Perhaps today is your last day; why not use it to worship? Are you waiting for the moment when your desires no longer interfere? Such a day will never come. Paradise is achieved through struggle, and it will never come easy.
Every day you promise, “I will do it tomorrow” but each tomorrow turns into another today, leaving you stagnant. If you cannot grasp these simple truths, how can you claim intelligence? The foolishness of thinking that you cannot bear the burden of worship while simultaneously risking eternal torment is staggering. (Excerpts taken from my book titled: Journey to Allah, published by Invitation Publishing).
Conclusion
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught: “The intelligent person is the one who controls his self and works for what is to come after death, and the fool is the one who follows his passions and relies on wishful thinking” (Ibn Majah). So, let’s confront our wishful thinking and egos and strive for a life filled with purpose and devotion. Together, let us move closer to the ‘content self’. Embrace this journey with an open heart and a renewed spirit.
