the nafs wars
December 31, 2007“There is no heart that does not have clouds like the clouds that cover the moon. When the cloud covers it, it is dark and when the cloud moves away, it shines.”
Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam
My nafs and I often have a discourse that takes place regularly on Sunday evenings. It usually goes something like this:
i: Hey, tomorrow is Monday, don’t forget to fast.
nafs: C’mon, again? Can’t you just stop for this Monday, and then you’ll fast the next one?
i: Hmm…that does sound like a good idea.
i: But hey, wait… isn’t that what you’re going to tell me the next Monday too? Man, why are you so lazy?
nafs: But think about it, are you really going to be fasting for every Monday for the rest of your LIFE?
i: Hmm…that does sound like a long time huh.
nafs: Yes it does, might as well take a break!
i: Wait wait, no! How can you guarantee that I will be alive next monday? What if I die tomorrow? How long does my life sound then? By Allah, I will fast tomorrow, unless He plans otherwise. And that’s final.
nafs: Dang it. I lost again didn’t I? Man, but fasting on Mondays… ma shaa Allah, you’re so dedicated.
i: Man that’s low – don’t even try the arrogance trap on me. There’s only one reason you lost and one reason only, and that’s because Allah granted me tawfeeq over you and may you never have tawfeeq over me!
“O Allah, I am tough, make me soft. I am weak; make me strong. I am miserly; make me generous.”
Umar radiyaAllahu ‘anhu
Currently I’m considered a traveler (in Toronto) probably until Monday night or early Tuesday morning, so I didn’t need that nafs war alhamdulillah. Indeed there is a hikmah in everything, and Allah subhanaHu wata’ala knows what we are able to handle.
Current exciting news – alhamdulillah I was able to purchase the new Usool al Fiqh CD set from EmanRush while at the RIS convention; it was one of my favorite classes so I’m tickled (yes tickled : D ) that I get to review it : ) walhamdulillah!
By Allah, I have similar battles with my own soul. We fight and fight until one stands with victory and the other with defeat. Often times, my naf tries to deceive me using unknown tactics but with Allah’s help, success is near.
They’re other times, I think due to my sins that I find it hard to fast during the days I normally intend to fast. It takes reflection and a commitment to taste the cup of victory.
As one man once offered me words of comfort, he said, “the fight within is such a long battle and some occasions, victory shall be yours. Be patient on the days failure seems apparent”
Assalamualaikum yagfirullahi lana walakum.
Indeed man is created weak…. has been given free will….has been shown both the ways straight one and crooked one.
A good muslim always wage war against his nafs n the cursed shaitan till the end by Allah ta’la’s tauweeq.
A momin prefers what his rabb loves to what he loves when his desires are strong.
Ya rabbi,my sins are great,but a small amount of your forgiveness is greater than them.Ya rabbi forgive the greatness of my sins with a little of your mercy.[Abdul Malik]
brotherameen: may Allah always grant you victory over your nafs. Reflection over the state of our nafs is the key to the life of our hearts – without it, we are planning our own death. JazakAllahu Khairan for sharing the words of comfort – and may Allah protect us from those times where failure seems easier than our victory…
ahsanulbayan: Ameen to your du’a, and that is definitely true subhanAllah… innan_nafsa la ‘ammaratun bi-soo’ – indeed the nafs is (constantly) inclined towards evil, illa maa rahima Rabbi – except those upon who my Lord has mercy. And may we be amongst those as you said, Ameen!
Ameen to everyone’s duaas!
mashaAllah sister, I love your blog
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AmatulWadood – jazakillahu khairan! May Allah increase you in your sweet disposition – I’m sure that I will enjoy your company and thoughts on here more than you enjoy this blog, and Allah knows best. Also, it seems that we have a few common acquaintances… : )
Ameen, may Allah ta’ala increase you in all that is good! wa iyyaki my sister.
hehe yes we do alhamdulillah…should I start naming?
sister who runs fasbir blog, Hala, bintamina..just to name some! And I apologize for stalking you with my random emails, I love you for the sake of Allah azza wa jal even though i’ve never met or spoken to you…inshaAllah i’ll be on your blog a lot more.
Ameen – Jazakillahu khairan for the du’a!
Ma shaa Allah, such beloved sisters that we know in common : ) And don’t worry about the emails, I enjoy them walhamdulillah – though I must say, at first I was a bit worried that we had met before and I just couldn’t remember it… : P
Ahabaki alathee ahbabtani lah – may the One for whose sake you love me for, love you : ) Also, perhaps we will be able to meet in person sometime in the future bi idhnillah…
Assalama ‘Alaykum Wa rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu,
Tomorrows monday, JaazikiAllah for the reminder.
Alhamdulilah, I got the chance to come on here and just see this.