Who is Satan laughing at?
How to recognize goodness and not stray from the chosen path? These are complex tasks, the solution to which everyone finds for themselves. We can go different ways, but our ultimate goal is one. Improving one’s own spiritual impulses, character, actions and thoughts is a difficult but very important work that every Muslim should undertake on himself.
A hadith of the Prophet ﷺ says, “I was sent down only to improve good qualities.” Divine books, revelations of prophets, messengers and the way of life of righteous people – these are the best guide.
Mu’adh ibn Jabal reported that the Prophet ﷺ once asked, “Am I calling you to good deeds?” Ibn Jabal confirmed, “Yes.” The Prophet ﷺ continued, “Fasting is a shield from Allah’s punishment. Sadaqah is a proof. And the performance of namaz in the middle of the night by the servant of Allah extinguishes every sin.”
Hasan al-Basri said, “Four things serve as food for the Akhirah: fasting (health of the body), charity (a barrier between man and the fire of Hell), namaz (the closeness of the slave to the Most High), and tears of repentance (purification from sins).”
It was also said that the essence of submission lies in three things: fear, hope, and love. A sign of fear is avoiding haram. A sign of hope is attachment to submission. A sign of love is the desire and increase of faith. The essence of sin is also in three things: arrogance, greed, and envy.
Arrogance was first manifested in Iblis. He was ordered to bow down to the prophet Adam as a sign of respect. But Iblis became proud and remained cursed forever.
Greed was first manifested in Adam, who wanted to remain in Paradise forever, but he reached out for the fruit forbidden by Allah ﷻ and was therefore expelled from Paradise.
And envy was first manifested by Qabil, the son of Adam. It was this that caused him to kill his brother and be cast into Hell.
It is said: “Three people cultivate anger in their hearts, make themselves accursed and destroy what they have built. The first is a person who accuses people. The second is a person who admires himself. The third is a person who does deeds for show. And three people cultivate love in their hearts, inherit for themselves a position and power among the inhabitants of heaven. The first is the owner of good behavior. The second is one who does deeds for the sake of Allah Almighty. The third is a lenient (modest) person.”
It was also said: “The one who is prone to deception has three signs. First, he collects what does not follow him. Secondly, he has many sins that lead him to destruction. Thirdly, he is far from the deeds that save him.” Those who return to Allah ﷻ, that is, those whose deeds are accepted, have three qualities. The first is using the heart for reflection. The second is using the tongue for remembrance. The third is using the body for work. One of the sages said: “Know that the satan laughs at one who claims three things without the other three. The first is the one who, having loved this world, claims to perform dhikr of Almighty Allah. The second is one who, without long anxiety, claims to serve the pleasure of Allah. The third is one who, having loved people’s praise, claims sincerity.”
May the Almighty help us in our intentions and sincerity! Amin.
