CULTURE OF ISLAM

90 About Shaithaan
Imtiaz Muhsin 10-Aug-12

The main objective of these talks (and therefore the scripts of these talks), is to stimulate thinking. Sensible, rational and logical thinking. So, my message, think, think & think! Be sensible, be rational and be logical.

90 About Shaithaan

Please Note
1. I have had the great privilege, (since Aug 2010), of presenting talks on the weekly Radio Program Culture of Islam [Every Friday 8 to 8.30 pm, Radio Sri Lanka - FM 97.4] 2. Since these are Radio Talks, I refer to, or address the audience as listeners 3. I am well aware that the audience to these talks would consist of people belonging to a variety of faiths. So as to make people of all faiths feel included, I very often use words and names that are common to all religions. 4. For these reasons, I use the name GOD, as well as Abraham, Moses, Jesus etc as well as the names Allah, Ibrahim (Alaihis Salaam), Moosa (Alaihis Salaam), Easa (Alaihis Salaam) etc 5. Muslims by habit usually say Sallallahu Alaihiwasallam, when the name of Prophet Muhammad is mentioned, and Alaihis Salaam' when the name of a Prophet is mentioned. However, in these series of talks I have reduced the use of these prayers & sayings to the bare minimum. 6. Muslims, also by habit, use a number of Arabic prayers or sayings, such as Alhamdulillah, Insha Allah and so on. Again, I have reduced the use of these prayers or sayings to the bare minimum. 7. Sometimes I have to write Arabic words in the English script. I have devised my own way of writing Arabic in English, as follows;

th TH

s Ss SW

DHL DHZ

H h

Gh GH

Information on these talks along with all download links can be found on my on my Blog (http://imtiazm.wordpress.com/) The dates or the schedules of these talks can be viewed on the Facebook Page (http://www.facebook.com/ImtiazMuhsin786) The Scripts of these talks can be downloaded from www.ScribD.com (www.ScribD.com Author Imtiaz Muhsin) The audio files of these talks can be downloaded from YouTube (YouTube Channel Imtiaz Muhsin) The YouTube Link to this talk is at

All Praise and Thanks is due to Allah and Allah alone Alhamdulillah! P.S. the picture on the cover shows the interior of the Kahatagasdigiliya Jummah Mosque. This is located in the Anuradhapura Disctrict in Sri Lanka

90 About Shaithaan

90 About Shaithaan
Dear Friends, Assalamu Alaikum, We all want to be good Muslims. There could be many meanings to this word good Muslim, everyone has own perception of what a good Muslim should be. But then, the good Muslim that we all ultimately want to be should be according to the very basics or the fundamental teachings of Islam. How do we do that especially in this age? We should go to the very primary source of Islam, which in this case, would be the Holy Quran. During the time of the Prophet that is over 1400 years ago in Mecca or in Madinah we would have to be in the company of the Prophet so that we could learn this Islam straight from him, but in this age this is not possible. So what could we do? Go to the Quran, the very book that was revealed to him and had been a guide to him too. Now many of you listeners could answer, Yes, that is what we are doing We read the Quran regularly. In fact in this month of Ramazaan some of us read 1/30th of the Quran or in other words one Jooz of the Quran daily, so that we complete a reading of the complete Quran in this month of Ramazaan But there is a big difference between how the Prophet and his companions read each Aayath of the Quran and how we read the Aayaths of the Quran. Again, there is this big difference between how the Prophet and his followers read the Quran and how we read the Quran. Again, there is a big difference between how the Prophet and his companions sought guidance from the Quran and how we seek guidance from the Quran. Let me first explain how the Prophet and his companions read the Aayaths of the Quran, read the Quran and sought guidance, and then I will explain how we do it. The contrasts are worth thinking about. There are many lessons to be learnt. First it is necessary for all of us to form a sort of a mental picture as to what the Prophet was doing. We are not qualified to do so, but what I am trying to do is to build up this picture through the Aayaths of the Quran, which were instructions to the Prophet himself, and then always keep the mind open to readjusting or editing this minds picture, whenever we read another Aayath about the mission of the Prophet. So we begin by reading the 1st Aayath revealed to him. This marks the beginning of his Prophethood. What is the instruction that God gives him;

90 About Shaithaan

(96:1) Read with the name of your Rabb who created (everything),

Now, the simple question, Read what? There was no Quran it took 23 years for complete revelation and even at the end of that 23 years there was no written Quran or Printed Quran as we know it. So, read what? Next, another perplexing point, the Prophet and those he lived with The Quraish tribe in Mecca, most of them just could not read or write script as we would read and write scripts today. So, read what? Aayath No 2 of Surah Jummah is one of those many Aayaths that describes his mission; (62:2) He is the One who raised amidst the unlettered people a messenger from amongst themselves who recites to them His Aayaths (Signs) and purifies them, and teaches them the Book and the wisdom, while they were earlier in open error.

There are many points in this Aayath; Firstly our attention is drawn to the fact that both the Prophet and his people are Ummi or unlettered, meaning that they could not read and write scripts. So when the Quran Aayaths are being revealed we are instructed Iqra or Read, the obvious meaning here is to read the Aayaths or the Signs from the very Signs themselves. The next point is that the Prophet who has now received the revelation is reciting the Aayaths to his people. who recites to them His Aayaths (Signs)

The next point would be that those who give ear to this reciting with the proper attitudes would get purified. Now what could the word purified mean.

90 About Shaithaan

Purified in general means getting cleansed. So how could you get purified by listening to the recitation of the Aayaths? The answer to this can seen from an Aayath that outlines an objective of the Quran, Surah Saad, Aayath No 29;
(38:29) This is a Book We have revealed to you, full of blessings so that they ponder in its Aayath (Signs), and so that the men of understanding may do Zikr (heed advice, learn, bring to life)

So this purification could be the Zikr we do of this Aayath. Another indication of what this purification is can be seen from the last phrase in this Aayath that describes the objectives of Prophethood; while they were earlier in open error.

So the purification could be that by listening to the recitation properly and then doing the Zikr of these Aayaths, we come out of our state of error, and if we are really devoted, then we progress or get guided to a state of Hikma or wisdom. So it is time to ask another question; If I am listening to recitation of the Aayaths properly, then I must notice a purification process in me. Do I notice that? Why not? It is after this purification process that; and purifies them, and teaches them the Book and the wisdom,

Now to reinforce this logic, I would like to read to you the Aayath that describes the purpose of creating man. We read one of the objectives of Prophethood; who recites to them His Aayaths (Signs) Then we read an objective of the Holy Quran; and so that the men of understanding may do Zikr (heed advice, learn, bring to life)

90 About Shaithaan

Now for the purpose of our creation; (51:56) I did not create the Jinns and the human beings except for the purpose that they should worship Me. Now what is worship? (39:17)Az Zumar - Part - So, give the good news to My worshippers Now, who are his ghibaadh or His worshippers? What do His worshippers do? Just two things, simple; (39:18) who listen to what is said, then, follow the best of it. Those are the ones whom Allah has guided, and those are the ones who possess understanding.

Now, that to me was one of the most revealing Aayaths in the Holy Quran. Right through life I have been told that the purpose of Mans creation was; (51:56) I did not create the Jinns and the human beings except for the purpose that they should worship Me.

The purpose was to worship God. And we were always told worship is a series of rituals. The SWalaath, the Fasting in Ramazaan, The Haj, the Tilaawath of Quran, the invocations or Dhua and so on, this was defined as ghibaadhath or worship. Actually this was meaningless to me. This type of worship was pretty dumb. I just could not understand this logic. But then the Quran said it, and that is how it was interpreted to us. Now this Aayath gives us such dignified meaning;

90 About Shaithaan

(39:17)Az Zumar - Part - So, give the good news to My worshippers (39:18) who listen to what is said, then, follow the best of it. Those are the ones whom Allah has guided, and those are the ones who possess understanding.

So now worship or ghibaadath has new meaning it is not just following a set or sets of dumb rituals, but is an immense intellectually stimulating exercise. Yasthamighoona Qauwla Fa Yaththabighoona AhsanaHu Listen to the Aayaths, and follow the best of it Maasha Allah! So what have we learnt so far; 1. The Prophet and his people are Ummi or illiterate 2. They are asked to read, read what? To read the Aayath or signs of Allah, and they would have read these Aayath not from a printed book as you and I do, but from the Sign itself from the Aayath itself. So if the Aayath was concerning the Earth, they read this Aayath from looking at the earth itself. If it was about the Sun and the Moon they read this Aayath from looking at the Sun and the Moon itself. If it was about the Mumins or the believers, then they read it from the Mumins and even from themselves. Similarly if it was about the Kaaifrs they read it in the Kaafirs and often they read that quality in themselves itself. 3. The objective of the Prophet is to recite the Aayaths to them 4. The Mumins heard the Aayaths and through a committed and focused process of Zikr, underwent a purification process, this process brought them out of ignorance and Allah taught them the book and wisdom 5. One of the objectives of the Quran is to do Zikr of its Aayaths 6. The purpose of creating Man and Jinn is for Gods worship 7. And God describes His Worship or worship to Him as (39:18) who listen to what is said, then, follow the best of it. Now in the Quran we are often read the two phrases;
and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Surely,

and
he is a clear enemy for you;

90 About Shaithaan

Now two subtle points come out of these two phrases; 1. Not to follow the footsteps of Shaithaan, surely we should know what his footsteps are or at least know how to read them. 2. We are told Shaithaan is a clear enemy Now, when I read this Aayath I find myself asking the question; Clear to whom? Allah is not telling us that Shaithaan is clear to Him, we know that. What Allah is telling us is that the enmity of Shaithaan should be clear to us. I ask, How? Again in S Araaf S 7 Aayath No 27 Allah informs us, 2. Al Araaf (Part)
(7:27) Part - Indeed, he sees you - he and his company - from where you do not see them.

So we are told that; 1. Shaithaan is a clear enemy, 2. and that we cannot see him, 3. Though he and his company watches us. So how can he be clear? He can be clear if we were to read him through the Aayaths in the Holy Quran; By the way, the word Iblees appears 11 times in the Holy Quran and the word Shaithaan appears 88 times in the Holy Quran. So there is plenty of material for us to learn from. Let us consider just a very a few of them; 3. Al Fathir
(35:6) Surely ShaiTn (Satan) is an enemy for you. So, take him as an enemy. He only invites his group (to falsehood) so that they become inmates of the blazing fire.

How does Shaithaan misguide? 4. S Muhamad

(47:25) Surely those who turn back after the guidance has appeared to them clearly,

it is Satan who has tempted them and involved them in far-fetched fancies.

Shaithaan tempts them with farfetched fancies (Sauwwala Lahum Wa amlaa LaHum) How does Shaithaan do that?

90 About Shaithaan

5. S Nisaa
(4:120) He (the Satan) makes promises to them, and he tempts them with hopes. The Satan does not make a promise to them but to deceive.

1. Shaithaan tempts them with farfetched fancies (Sauwwala Lahum Wa amlaa LaHum) 2. Shaithaan makes promises to them and tempts them with false hopes (YaghidhuHum Wayu ManneeHim) 6. Al Mujaadhilah
(58:19) The ShaiTn (Satan) has prevailed upon them; so he has made them neglect to remember Allah. They are the party of ShaiTn . Be assured that it is (the members of the) party of ShaiTn that are the losers.

1. Shaithaan tempts them with farfetched fancies ( Sauwwala Lahum Wa amlaa LaHum) 2. Sahithaan makes promises to them and tempts them with false hopes (YaghidhuHum Wayu ManneeHim) 3. Shaithaan makes them neglect ZikruLLaH 7. (Again) Al Mujaadhilah
(58:10) Whispering (for sinful acts) comes from the ShaiTn (Satan), so that he may grieve those who believe, while it is not harmful to them in the least, except with Allahs permission. And in Allah the believers must place their trust.

How does Shaithaan do this by whispering He also causes grief

Now Shaithaan causes grief through whispering this is for the believer, now does this also not mean that through this same whispering could not Shaithaan create a sense of elation or a sense of intoxication in those that do not believe? Does that not make sense?

90 About Shaithaan

8. Al Maaidha
(5:90) O you who believe! The intoxicants and the games of chance, altars and divining arrows are filth, made up by Satan.

Therefore, refrain from it, so that you may be successful.

Sahithaans methods 1. Shaithaan tempts them with farfetched fancies ( Sauwwala Lahum Wa amlaa LaHum) 2. Sahithaan makes promises to them and tempts them with false hopes (YaghidhuHum Wayu ManneeHim) 3. We cannot see Shaithaan, whilst he can see us 4. How does Shaithaan work through whispering into our hearts What is the effect of his whispering 1. He makes them neglect ZikruLLaH 2. He evokes the emotion of grief in believers 3. He evokes a sense of elation or intoxication in disbelievers 4. He excites disbelievers to take chances, to gamble What else does Shaithaan do? 9. Al Maaidha
(5:91) Satan wishes only to plant enmity and malice between you through intoxicants and games of chance and to prevent you from the remembrance of Allah and from Salh. Would you, then, abstain?

Let us list out what Shaithaan does; He whispers. What is the effect of his whispering 1. He makes them neglect ZikruLLaH 2. He evokes the emotion of grief in believers 3. He evokes a sense of elation or intoxication in disbelievers 4. He excites disbelievers to take chances, to gamble 5. His objective is to plant enmity and malice and this he achieves through evoking emotions of intoxication and the daring or the foolishness to take chances Now who are the friends of Shaithaan?

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10. S Nisaa (4:38) and (for) those who spend their wealth
only to show people, and do not believe in Allah and the Last Day. Anyone for whom Satan is companion, evil he is as a companion.

11. S Baqarah
(2:268) Satan frightens you with poverty, and bids you to commit indecency, and Allah promises you forgiveness from Him, and grace as well. And Allah is All-Embracing, All-Knowing.

Shaithaans methods 1. He makes them neglect ZikruLLaH 2. He evokes the emotion of grief in believers 3. He evokes a sense of elation or intoxication in disbelievers 4. He excites disbelievers to take chances, to gamble 5. His objective is to plant enmity and malice and this he achieves through evoking emotions of intoxication and the daring or the foolishness to take chances 6. He motivates us to acts of indecency 7. He frightens us with the fear of poverty 8. He befriends those who spend their wealth to show off those who do not believe in Allah and the last Day 12. Al Nahl
(16:98) So, when you recite the Qurn, seek refuge with Allah against Satan, the accursed.

13. S Bani Israel

(17:27) Surely, squanderers are brothers of the Shaithaans, and the Satan is very ungrateful to his Rabb.

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90 About Shaithaan

Shaithaans methods 1. He makes them neglect ZikruLLaH 2. He evokes the emotion of grief in believers 3. He evokes a sense of elation or intoxication in disbelievers 4. He excites disbelievers to take chances, to gamble 5. His objective is to plant enmity and malice and this he achieves through evoking emotions of intoxication and the daring or the foolishness to take chances 6. He motivates us to acts of indecency 7. He frightens us with the fear of poverty 8. He befriends those who spend their wealth to show off those who do not believe in Allah and the last Day 9. Now Allah advises us, when we read the Quran when we are in that process of Zikr, we should take precautions against Shaithaan, so we are advised to seek refuge with Allah against Shaithaan the accursed 10. We are also told that squanderers are the brothers of Shaithaan I just read a few Aayaths of the Quran that describe to us many facets of Shaithaan and his enmity to humans. There are many more such Aayaths. Let me complete this talk with the Aayaths that describe the events on Qiyaamath Day and Shaithaans description of what happened to us whilst we were alive on Earth What will happen on Qiyaamath Day? 14 S Ibrahim
(14:22) The Satan will say when the matter will have been decided, Allah promised you a truthful promise while I gave you a promise and did not fulfill it.

I had no authority over you, except that I invited you and you accepted my call.

So, do not blame me, but blame yourselves. Neither I can come to your help, nor can you come to my help. I disown your associating me with Allah in the past. Surely, there is a painful punishment for the unjust.

So, if we had befriended Shaithaan or strayed due to his influence we would realize that we cannot escape by blaming him. It would be our negligence.

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I hope that all of you enjoyed listening to this talk as much as I have enjoyed doing research and then presenting this talk to you. So may Allah Taaala guide us all and accept us all. Jazza Kallah Khairan Asslamau Alaikum
Imtiaz Muhsin Colombo Sri Lanka crescent786@hotmail.com

You Tube Channel - HaneefanMusliman

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90 About Shaithaan