Fiqh lesson by Umm Ahmad ( 7th May, 2013)

In the name of Allah 

The whispers of Shaytaan & The Cure 

by Shaykh Mashhoor bin Hasan Aal-Salmaan

 

Question: Sometimes I am afflicted with suspicions concerning the truth of the existence of Paradise, Hell Fire and the Last Day. What is your advice to me; for protection from these suspicions?

Answer: Praise Allaah, your Lord, for you are upon good.

And there is no objection or harm in that which you find within yourself. Indeed, no one is afflicted with the Shaytaan's whispers; except for him who has in his heart, a portion of goodness.

It is authenticated in the Saheeh of Imaam Muslim; in the Book of Eemaan under the chapter, 'Suspicions Concerning Eemaan', in a chain of narration leading to Abu Hurayrah radhiyaAllaahu 'anhu, said; some people from the companions of the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam) came to him and asked him: Verily, we find in ourselves some thoughts that one of us finds it too horrible to speak of. The Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam, said to them: "do you really experience this?" They said, 'Yes.' So he said, sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam, 'that is a manifestation of Eeman (belief).' [1]

And in another narration, 'That is the pure Eeman (faith).' [2]

And when 'Alee, radhiyallaahu 'anhu, asked him: 'How is this the sincerity of eemaan?'

He (sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam) said: 'Do you not all see the thief' Verily, he does not steal except from a precious (valuable) house.'

So man only finds in himself these suspicions; when he has purity (sincerity) in his heart.

As for he whom Shaytaan has blinded and has found comfort in his heart, he will not find traces of the suspicions and whispers.

The Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam, said:

' The Hour will not be established until Shaytaan comes to one of you and says to him, 'Who created this?' So he will say: 'Allaah.' And he will say to him, 'Who created this?' He will (again) say: 'Allaah.' Then he will say to him, 'Who created Allaah?'

So the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam, said: 'Whoever finds that in himself, then let him seek refuge in Allaah from the Shaytaan and spit on his left side. '

And in another narration: ' Let him recite Soorah al-Ikhlaas' [3]

Therefore these are signs of good. And the companions of the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam, found this (in themselves).

But they warded off (the suspicions and whispers) by seeking refuge in Allaah from the accursed Shaytaan.

In his commentary to these hadeeth: in his Silsilah as-Saheeha, Imaam al-Muhaddith Muhammad Naasirudden al-Albaanee says : This authentic hadeeth shows that it is a must on the person whom the shaytaan whispers to, by saying who created Allaah?

[This authentic hadeeth] teaches this person to reply in this debate; by using the solutions / answers that have been narrated from these ahadeeth mentioned.

And specifically that he should say ”Aamantu billaahi wa rusoolihi , Allaahu Ahad , Allâ¨*us-Samad , lam yaleed wa lam yuwlad , wa lam yakun lahu kufuwaan ahad.” I have believed in Allaah and His messengers. All⨠(The) One, Allâ¨*us-Samad (The Self-Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need, He neither eats nor drinks), He begets not, nor was He begotten, And there is none co-equal or comparable unto Him." Then he should spit (dry spit) on his left side three times, and seek refuge in Allaah from the cursed shaytaan. And then he should refrain from indulging in thinking over these whispers.

And I believe that whoever does that Sincerely - as an action by which he is showing obedience to Allaah and His messenger- Then the shaytaan will be expelled And the whispers will go away from him. Just like the Prophet (sallahAllaahu alayhi wasallam) said: then that will make them (the whispers) go away from him.

This is the Noble Prophetic knowledge. [It is] Beneficial, and it cuts off the whispers.

From the inner self debate (whispers) as in this case. And in the case of the outward whispers in the form of speech; then this medicine is beneficial and cuts that off too.

And it is sad, that many people are heedless and not knowledgeable; of this noble prophetic knowledge. So take heed . O , Muslims ! And learn and practice the Sunnah of your Messenger (sallahAllaahu alayhi wasallam). And act upon it. Verily in the Sunnah; is a medicine and a source of strength for you."

---

[1] Saheeh Muslim. Book of Eemaan, chapter, 'Suspicions Concerning Eemaan'.

[2] Saheeh Muslim; hadeeth of 'Abdullah bin Mas'ud (radhiyaAllaahu anhu).

[3] Sisilah as-Saheehah 116 - 118.