In the name of Allah
The All compassionate, the All-Merciful
5 Rabial Awwal 1447 (29 August 2025)
Islamic Universal Association
20 Penzance Place, Holland Park
London, W11 4 PG
Imam Ali (a.s)’s advice in the Nahjal-Balagha – Part 97
Believers embark on a journey of spiritual enlightenment in this world and they constantly do Zikr (remembering Allah) at all times. On the other hand, Satan, who is the primary source of temptation and evil influence, instills despair in the hearts of believers and waylays them from this spiritual journey. Satan does not have complete control over the believers, but rather he tries to lead them astray from the path of Allah (s.w.t). The following points should be noted:
Satan’s primary role is to whisper temptations and doubts in the minds of people, so as to encourage disobedience to Allah (s.w.t).
Tempting mankind into disbelief is Satan’s main focus. However, if he cannot mislead people into committing clear acts of disbelief, he then lures them into committing other sins like murder, consuming the property of orphans, altering Allah (s.w.t)’s creation by mutilation (slitting ears of cattle), etc, which are also major sinful acts and influenced by Satan’s whispers.
If Satan fails to mislead people to disbelieve or commit other heinous sins, he then resorts to more subtle means of temptation, such as belief in superstitions and doubts or relying on practices not rooted in Islamic teachings.
Moreover, if Satan cannot trap someone into sinning, he also keeps them busy with trivial acts which have no benefit. Instead of using their time wisely, fulfilling their priorities and reaching high goals, Satan occupies them with useless acts.
However, Satan does not have ultimate domination over believers, but he can only tempt and mislead.
Man has free will and is responsible for his choices and if he succumbs to Satan’s devices he will be a loser in this world and in the hereafter.
Muslims should therefore recognize Satan as their enemy in order to defeat him. Satan’s power consists principally in his ability to deceive, so they need to understand his cunning tactics and approach, in order to better protect them. Moreover, they should seek refuge in Allah (s.w.t) from Satan’s evil influence through prayer and other acts of worship.
Some relevant Ayahs are
Ayahs 38, 60 and 119 of Surah An-Nisa : “Those who spend their property (in charity) only to be noticed by people, disbelieving in God and the Last Day: he whose companion is Satan, what an evil companion he is!
Have you not observed those who think they believe in what has been revealed to you and what has been revealed before you? They intend to resort to the judgement of taught (Satan) though they were commanded to abjure him, and Satan intends to mislead them far astray.
“Surely I will lead astray and stir vain desires in them, and will certainly bid them to slit the ears of cattle. And I will certainly command them to change the creation of God.” Whoever takes Satan as a guardian besides God truly suffers a manifest loss.”
Ayah 19 of Surah Al-Mujadilah: “Satan has gained hold of them; so he has made them forget the remembrance of God. They are Satan’s party. Beware! The party of Satan is the loser.” To be continued
Second Sermon
Hijrat of the Holy Prophet (s.a)
After 13 years of his mission in Mecca, the Holy Prophet (s.a) left his home and migrated to Medina which is known as Hijrat and it is a very significant event in Islamic history.
This migration was carried out on account of a conspiracy by the leaders of Quraish to murder the Holy Prophet (s.a) and to obliterate the truth and the laws against tyranny, oppression and injustice which the Holy Prophet (s.a) was in the process of establishing. Their plan was, however, unsuccessful as Allah (s.w.t) had informed the Holy Prophet (s.a) about their plan to kill him and ordered him to leave Mecca and for Ali (a.s) to sleep on his bed. Ayah 30 of Surah Al-Anfaal was revealed clearly indicating that the plots of the enemies of Islam and/or the disbelievers to kill or imprison the Holy Prophet (s.a) would be foiled by Allah (s.w.t):
“And when the disbelievers plotted against you (O Mohammad) to imprison you, or slay you, or drive you away, they devised plans and God too had a plan; God is the Best of planners.”
It has been reported in the book, Manaqib V:1 P:183, that the Holy Prophet (s.a) informed Ali (a.s) about the dangerous situation and his plan to migrate to Medina forthwith as instructed by Allah (s.w.t) and asked him if he would sleep on his bed and carry out some errands for him and accept the danger to his life. Ali (a.s) replied with a counter question,“If I sleep on your bed, will your life be saved?” The Holy Prophet (s.a) said that Allah (s.w.t) had promised him a safe journey to Medina. Ali (a.s) was pleased to hear this and he thanked Allah (s.w.t) and immediately prostrated on earth. This was the first sajdah of appreciation (shukr) that was performed by man. Ali (a.s) knew that the enemies of Islam wanted to murder the Holy Prophet (s.a) and if he slept in his bed, his life would be at risk and yet he did not hesitate to do so and to protect the Holy Prophet (s.a). As narrated by Ibne Abbas his sacrifice was so sincere that during the Holy Prophet (s.a.)’s journey to Medina, Ayah 207 of Surah Al-Baqarah was revealed referring to the devotion of Imam Ali (a.s):
“Among men is he who trades his life for the pleasure of God and verily God is affectionate to his faithful servants.”
It has also been reported in the Manaqib that the Holy Prophet (s.a) advised Ali (a.s):
“Allah tests the faith of the believers but the messenger is tested to a far greater degree. Since you are from me and I am from you, we will tried together, so be patient.” Ali (a.s) replied: “May my life be ransomed for you and your mission.” Hence, while the Holy Prophet (s.a) left his house for Mecca under Allah (s.w.t)’s protection, Ali (a.s) slept peacefully on his bed despite the swords of the enemies being flashed around him. Moreover, it has been reported that Gabriel descended to visit Ali (a.s) that night with Makaiel and expressed his admiration and exclaimed:
“O Ali! You are in a very good position because Allah and his angels are proud of you.”
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