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>>A Thread with Deep Message <<
We all know the Qur'anic injunction about lowering the gaze, but it is imperative that we take it to heart now and every day, especially as we prepare for the month of Ramadan.
We all know the Qur'anic injunction about lowering the gaze, but it is imperative that we take it to heart now and every day, especially as we prepare for the month of Ramadan.
Shaitan may be locked up in less than a week, but you better believe he's been working over time this entire quarantine to build those hidden inroads to your heart so that his whispers echo straight into the walls of your chest!
To do this effectively, he will weaken you by exploiting your senses to a virtual buffet of images, videos, and live streams.
Think about it, you're in lockdown physically so what is the next best way for him to break you down? To flood your faculties and processing systems.
Think about it, you're in lockdown physically so what is the next best way for him to break you down? To flood your faculties and processing systems.
Which ones?
1. Your conscience mind. The one that knows between right and wrong. When you see an image you shouldn't look at or a video that's inappropriate, but you keep watching, it's likely because this has been compromised. He's effectively desensitized you.
1. Your conscience mind. The one that knows between right and wrong. When you see an image you shouldn't look at or a video that's inappropriate, but you keep watching, it's likely because this has been compromised. He's effectively desensitized you.
You may not even be aware of the fact that what you're watching is unequivocally haram because he's "normalized" things so much that you can't even differentiate between what is halal and what isn't.
To help reset this system, remember the simple facts: looking at ANY private area (awrah) of a man or a woman is haram. As is behavior depicted that is of a mature, sexual, or intimate nature.
Even suggestive content that sparks an idea, or a thought that can lead to lustful thoughts is blameworthy. And just because you're not watching or consuming that material with intent does NOT remove obligation from you to avert your gaze and shut it down.
2. Your stream of consciousness. This is the flow of your thoughts, reactions to events, memories, ideas, etc.
Shaitan's objective is to preoccupy you with everything and anything other than God. So pay attention to where your mind drifts, is it in the past, present, or future? Is it worthwhile or a waste of time? Is it negative thoughts about others?
Is it negative thoughts about yourself? Do you feel hopeless, despair, out of control, resentful, etc?
Shaitan knows well that if he bombards our mind with his negativity and toxicity, and then forces us to dwell on matters that are of little to no significance or benefit,
Shaitan knows well that if he bombards our mind with his negativity and toxicity, and then forces us to dwell on matters that are of little to no significance or benefit,
then we will sabotage our own progress and growth.
To fight his attacks, FORCE yourself into positive thinking. PUSH AWAY negative thoughts by drowning them out with gratitude, inspiring messages from the Qur'an and hadith, meaningful stories with positive messages and lessons,
To fight his attacks, FORCE yourself into positive thinking. PUSH AWAY negative thoughts by drowning them out with gratitude, inspiring messages from the Qur'an and hadith, meaningful stories with positive messages and lessons,
and beautiful melodious sounds of the Qur'an, dhikr, anshaad, etc.
If you allow negativity to take residence, then there will be little room for positivity. Rather, view negative thoughts like you would rodents who find ways to enter the home by looking for vulnerable areas.
If you allow negativity to take residence, then there will be little room for positivity. Rather, view negative thoughts like you would rodents who find ways to enter the home by looking for vulnerable areas.
Identify those vulnerable areas and PATCH THEM UP! An example would be, your past. IT IS DONE. IT IS OVER. If you dwell on that which you cannot change, thinking that fantasizing about "what could have been" will bring you some relief,
know with certainty it will never bring you anything but further misery. LET IT GO. Accept the good and the bad of it, by focusing on the fact that you are here, God is with you, and He does not judge you for any of it so long as you turn to Him and seek Him.
So look ahead and up, instead of behind you and down.
If you don't control your stream of consciousness, then it will likely lead you to view the haram, speak of the haram, listen to the haram, and eventually act on the haram. This is precisely what shaitan wants,
If you don't control your stream of consciousness, then it will likely lead you to view the haram, speak of the haram, listen to the haram, and eventually act on the haram. This is precisely what shaitan wants,
so don't let him succeed by inviting more positivity to your mind's eye and your physical eyes!
3. Your time management. This is what you choose to do with the time you have. If you have habituated yourself to indulging your lower self constantly by way of filling your appetitive soul (nafs) and spending your day consuming not only food and drink,
but hours and hours of useless entertainment and leisurely sport, then he has succeeded in sabotaging you from growing and using the talents and skills that God has blessed you with to not only benefit others, but benefit your own soul. Your eyes,
your mouth, your ears, your limbs, were fashioned by The Fashioner, the Creator, not for you to squander them on junk, but to CREATE beauty, CREATE harmony, CREATE love, CREATE unity, and to SPREAD PEACE AND LIGHT.
How are you spreading peace and light when you are stuffing your lower self into darkness?
May Allah ﷻ help us all to LOWER our gaze NOW, to practice restraint and to stop making excuses for what we know is HARAM.
May Allah ﷻ help us all to LOWER our gaze NOW, to practice restraint and to stop making excuses for what we know is HARAM.
May He give us strength to become more aware and honest with ourselves about our vices and bad habits, and to seek help from HIM first and foremost so that we do not squander this beautiful month and the incredible opportunity we've been given to become more polished,
more refined, and BETTER human beings and servants to our Creator. Amin.
