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Underestimating Evil

All perfect praise is due to Allaah; I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad is His Slave and Messenger; may Allaah exalt his mention, as well as that of his family and all his companions.

Underestimating Prohibitions: Allaah informs us that He commanded the children of Israel to adhere to their Book tightly, strongly and with determination; He says:

وَإِذْ أَخَذْنَا مِيثَاقَكُمْ وَرَفَعْنَا فَوْقَكُمُ الطُّورَ خُذُوا مَا آتَيْنَاكُمْ بِقُوَّةٍ وَاذْكُرُوا مَا فِيهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ

which means: “And [recall] when We took your covenant, [O Children of Israel, to abide by the Torah] and We raised over you the mount, [saying]: ‘Take what We have given you with determination and remember what is in it that perhaps you may become righteous.’” [Al-Baqarah: 63]

And also:

وَإِذْ أَخَذْنَا مِيثَاقَكُمْ وَرَفَعْنَا فَوْقَكُمْ الطُّورَ خُذُوا مَا آتَيْنَاكُمْ بِقُوَّةٍ وَاسْمَعُوا قَالُوا سَمِعْنَا وَعَصَيْنَا

which means: “And [recall] when We took your covenant and raised over you the mount, [saying]: ‘Take what We have given you with determination and listen.’ They said [instead]: ‘We hear and disobey’…” [Al-Baqarah: 93]

And also:

وَإِذْ نَتَقْنَا الْجَبَلَ فَوْقَهُمْ كَأَنَّهُ ظُلَّةٌٌٌ وَظَنُّوا أَنَّهُ وَاقِعٌ بِهِمْ خُذُوا مَا آتَيْنَاكُمْ بِقُوَّةٍ وَاذْكُرُوا مَا فِيهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ

which means: “And [mention] when We raised the mountain above them as if it was a dark cloud and they were certain that it would fall upon them, [and Allaah said]: ‘Take what We have given you with determination and remember what is in it that you might fear Allaah.’” [Al-A’raaf: 171]

Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allaah be pleased with him, said: “The term: `with determination’ means with seriousness and endeavour.” [End of quote]

Imaam Ibn Jareer, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said: “The term: `Take what We have given you with determination’ means take what We have mandated upon you from obligatory acts, accept it, and exert all efforts to fulfil it without negligence or shortcoming.” [End of quote]

Allaah commanded them to have determination when fulfilling His commands, because His commands are not to be taken lightly, or diluted with falsehood; there can be absolutely no compromising on this.

This is the pledge that is taken from the believers. There is no other way to carry out the commands of Allaah except with seriousness and determination. Some obligations are indeed strenuous, but this is the nature of the commands of Allaah; it is a crucial issue that one must approach with deadly seriousness, knowing that his commitment to the religion implies being tested and enduring difficult undertakings. The believer recognises that his devotion to the religion implies him giving up any relaxed lifestyle he may be leading, as Allaah says, addressing His Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam:

إنا سنلقي عليك قولاً ثقيلاً

which means: “Indeed, We will cast upon you a heavy word.” [Al-Muzzammil: 5]

Allaah commanded His prophets to adhere to their Book tightly, strongly and with determination, just as He commanded the children of Israel to. Allaah says about Prophet Moosaa, may Allaah exalt his mention:

وَكَتَبْنَا لَهُ فِي الْأَلْوَاحِ مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ مَوْعِظَةً وَتَفْصِيلًا لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ فَخُذْهَا بِقُوَّةٍ وَأْمُرْ قَوْمَكَ يَأْخُذُوا بِأَحْسَنِهَا سَأُرِيكُمْ دَارَ الْفَاسِقِينَ

which means: “And We wrote for him on the tablets [something] of all things – instruction and explanation for all things, [saying]: Take them with determination and order your people to take the best of it. I will show you the home of the defiantly disobedient.” [Al-A’raaf: 145]

He addressed Prophet Yahyaa, may Allaah exalt his mention, saying:

يَا يَحْيَى خُذْ الْكِتَابَ بِقُوَّةٍ وَآتَيْنَاهُ الْحُكْمَ صَبِيًّا

which means: “…’O Yahyaa! Take the Scripture [i.e. adhere to it] with determination.’ And We gave him judgement [while yet] a boy.” [Maryam: 12] Shaykh As-Sa’di, may have mercy upon him, said: “The term: `with determination` means with seriousness and endeavour in memorising its words, understanding its meaning, fulfilling its commands, and refraining from its prohibitions.” [End of quote]

Allaah commanded Prophet Moosaa, may Allaah exalt his mention, to order his people to “…Take the best of it”… despite the commands and obligations being difficult, yet they were described as being best because they lead to their prosperity and reformation, and this applies equally to any nation with regards to the commands of Allaah.

Furthermore, Allaah praised those who take their book with determination, saying:

وَالَّذِينَ يُمَسِّكُونَ بِالْكِتَابِ وَأَقَامُوا الصَّلَاةَ إِنَّا لَا نُضِيعُ أَجْرَ الْمُصْلِحِينَ

which means: “But those who hold fast to the Scripture and establish prayer – indeed, We will not allow to be lost the reward of the reformers.” [Al-A’raaf: 170] Imaam Al-Qurtubi, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said: ‘The ‘Scripture’ mentioned in this verse refers to the Torah, and the verse praises those who adhered to it.” [End of quote]

This verse indicates that holding on to the Book, or Scripture, with determination, applying it, and practically establishing its rites are the means to the reformation of life, while the corruption of life lies in abandoning any aspect of this.

If people refer to other than the Book of Allaah as a reference for life, and fail to apply it practically, or they abandon the sincere worship of Allaah, which is what rectifies the hearts in order to enable them to apply His legislation without misinterpreting or misunderstanding the texts – unlike the practice of the former people of the Scriptures - the result is that the hearts become weak and people fail to worship Allaah, resulting in the general loss of consciousness of Allaah and piety.

Allaah commands us not to differentiate between any of His commands, saying:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ادْخُلُوا فِي السِّلْمِ كَافَّةً

which means: “O you who have believed! Enter into Islaam completely [and perfectly]…” [Al-Baqarah: 208] Meaning, adhere to it and apply all its commands, obligations and laws. Mujaahid, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said: “(This verse) means perform all obligatory acts as well as other virtuous deeds.” [End of quote]

Shaykh As-Sa’di, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said: “This is a command from Allaah, to the believers, to implement all the laws of Islaam and not abandon any of them. Moreover, it is a command to not be like those who take their desires as lords, and who therefore apply only that (from Islaam) which coincides with their desires, to the exclusion of its remainder. One must subjugate his desires so that they will coincide with Islaamic legislation, and must perform as many virtuous deeds as possible, as well as have the intention to perform the virtuous deeds that he is unable to perform, so that Allaah would reward him for his intention.” [End of quote]

Slaves of Allaah! A person may commit a sin, but nonetheless he must be of those about whom Allaah says:

والذين إذا فعلوا فاحشة أو ظلموا أنفسهم ذكروا الله فاستغفروا لذنوبهم ومن يغفر الذنوب إلا الله ولم يصروا على ما فعلوا وهم يعلمون

which means: “And those who, if they commit an immorality or wrong themselves [by transgression], remember Allaah and seek forgiveness for their sins – and who can forgive sins except Allaah? – and [who] do not persist in what they have done while they know.” [Aal ‘Imraan: 135]

Some people look for justifications for the sin they wish to commit, and are harried and fervent in their objection to Islaamic texts. If one wishes to enrage such a person, all he has to do is to inform him of a ruling that entails prohibiting something that he likes, or requires obliging something that he dislikes.

Imaam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said: “Allaah only forgives the sinning slave if he commits a sin due to being overwhelmed by his desires, and whilst hating the sin deep inside himself while not intending to recommit it. Such a person is hoped to be forgiven, because although he commits the sin in response to his evil lower self that orders him to do so, he immediately repents and returns to Allaah. On the other hand, for the one who is determined to commit every sin and fulfil every desire, and who rejoices upon being able to commit a sin, it is feared that he will be prevented from repentance. Rejoicing upon sinning reflects the strength of a person’s desire to commit (and recommit) it as well as the depth of his ignorance regarding the One whom he is disobeying, and the evil consequences and dangers of the sin he is committing. Anyone who rejoices at sinning should re-evaluate his faith and mourn the demise of his heart, which would not have rejoiced had it been alive.” [End of quote]

Magnifying sins: A believer should regard any sin that he commits as enormous and must never underestimate it; he should comprehend the gravity of disobeying Allaah. The stronger one’s faith is, the more he would honour Allaah, and the greater his sin would therefore appear in his eyes. Allaah describes the people of understanding saying:

الذين يقولون ربنا إننا آمنا فاغفر لنا ذنوبنا وقنا عذاب النار * الصابرين والصادقين والقانتين والمنفقين والمستغفرين بالأسحار

which means: “Those who say: ‘Indeed we have believed, so forgive us our sins and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.’ The patient, the true, the obedient, those who spend [in the way of Allaah], and those who seek forgiveness before dawn.” [Aal ‘Imraan: 16-17] Despite their piety and acts of worship, they still seek the forgiveness of Allaah during the time in which supplication is more likely to be accepted and responded to.

Magnifying the sin that one has committed results in him repenting from that sin, as well as him generally continuing seeking forgiveness and persisting in supplicating Allaah earnestly. It also generates a strong motive for the person to subdue and control his desires.

A believer is obliged to honour the commands of Allaah and never underrate His prohibitions, regardless of how minor they appear to him, because the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam sternly warned us against undermining minor sins. ‘Abdullaah bin Mas’ood, may Allaah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: “Beware of minor sins, for they will accumulate and thus lead to the destruction of the person committing them. Their example is like that of a people who went to the middle of a valley and gathered sticks, each returning with (only) a single stick of wood, (but on aggregate) enough to cook their bread.” [Ahmad]

‘Aa’ishah, may Allaah be pleased with her, narrated that the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: “Beware of minor sins, as they have a specific angel recording them.” [Ibn Maajah] Imaam As-Sindi, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said: “The ‘minor sins’ referred to in this narration refer to the type that people are usually negligent of or indifferent to, due to their perceived unimportance. However, to illustrate their gravity in the scale of Allaah, He has exclusively designated an angel to record them.” [End of quote]

Abu Hurayrah, may Allaah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Satan has despaired of being worshipped in the Arabian peninsula, but has settled for your committing minor sins, which you underestimate.” [Ahmad]

Honouring the commands of Allaah is an indication of the strength of one’s faith, as Allaah says:

وَمَنْ يُعَظِّمْ شَعَائِرَ اللَّهِ فَإِنَّهَا مِنْ تَقْوَى الْقُلُوبِ

which means: “…And whoever honours the symbols [i.e., rites] of Allaah – indeed, it is from the piety of hearts.” [Al-Hajj: 32] This is the exact opposite of hypocrisy, as stated by Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allaah be pleased with him, who said: “A believer views his sins as if he is sitting at the foot of a mountain fearing that it may subside upon him, while a sinner views his sins as if they are a fly that lands on his nose which he waves away nonchalantly with his hand.” [End of quote] When he, may Allaah be pleased with him, was saying this, he waved his hand, as if driving a fly away. That was an illustration of just how easy it is for a person to commit such sins, as well as a demonstration of how insignificant he deems them.

Our righteous Salaf, may Allaah have mercy upon them, were extremely fearful of committing sins, and this was reflected by their statements, such as that of Anas, may Allaah be pleased with him, who addressed a group of the Taabi’een (i.e. the second generation of Muslims) saying: “You commit actions that you deem less significant than the weight of a hair, while we would consider them, during the time of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, as being of the destructive, major great sins.” [Al-Bukhaari]

Abu Ayyoob, may Allaah be pleased with him, said: “A man would perform a good deed, feel satisfied due to it, and forget his minor sins, until he comes on the Day of Judgement to find that these minor sins have encircled him. Another man would perform an evil deed and continue to fear its evil consequences, until he comes on the Day of Judgement and find Allaah pleased with him.” [End of quote]

‘Umar, may Allaah be pleased with him, once entered into the presence of Abu Bakr, may Allaah be pleased with him, and found him holding his tongue and saying: “This has lead me to destruction.” If this was the situation and fear of such righteous people, how should the case be of those who brazenly sin?

Imaam Al-Awzaa’ee, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said: “The scholars would say that it is considered as one of the great major sins for someone to commit a sin and then underestimate and undermine that action.” [End of quote].

Al-Fudhayl bin ‘Iyaadh, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said: “The more one belittles and undermines the sin he committed, the greater it becomes in the sight of Allaah, and the greater his fear of it is, the more insignificant it will become with Allaah.” [End of quote] Therefore, the slave should never undermine any sin he commits, because it could be the cause of his destruction in this life and the Hereafter.

Abu Hurayrah, may Allaah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: “A man may utter a word pleasing to Allaah without considering it of any significance, but for which Allaah elevates his ranks (in Paradise); another one may speak a word displeasing to Allaah without considering it of any importance, but for which he would be plummeted into Hell.” [Al-Bukhaari]

Ibn `Umar, may Allaah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: “A woman was punished in Hell due to a cat that she had confined until it died. She did not give it anything to eat or to drink when it was confined, nor did she free it so that it might eat from the vermin of the earth.” [Al-Bukhaari & Muslim]

Remember that Satan was cursed and expelled from Paradise due to him refusing to perform a single prostration. Prophet Aadam, may Allaah exalt his mention, was ejected from Paradise for a single forbidden bite. Allaah has prescribed the penalty of death for the adulterer for fulfilling his lust for a very brief period; He has prescribed being lashed for the person who slanders other Muslims with even a single word… Therefore, one should not feel safe while committing any sin and not delude himself by thinking that Allaah would not throw him in Hell for a single transgression.

One of the forms of dishonouring the obligations and prohibitions of Allaah comes in the form of compromising parts of the Islaamic legislation, or some of the tenets of Islaam. This is indeed the greatest betrayal and a major crime. The pride and honour of the individual and the community collectively lies in its adherence to Islaam and remaining steadfast upon its tenets until death.

Abu Sufyaan, may Allaah be pleased with him, prior to becoming a Muslim, while on a visit to Madeenah, went to visit his daughter Umm Habeebah, may Allaah be pleased with her, who was a wife of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. As he, may Allaah be pleased with him, was about to seat himself, his daughter, may Allaah be pleased with her, removed the rug that he was intending to sit on from under him. He, may Allaah be pleased with him, inquired as to why she did this, so she, may Allaah be pleased with her, replied: “This is a mat that belongs to the Messenger of Allaah, and you are a foul disbeliever.” She did this because the right that the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam had was far greater than that which her father had over her due to their blood relation.

Some reasons why people undermine and degrade the commands of Allaah:

· Failing to glorify Allaah with due glorification. Honouring the commands of Allaah and the commands of His Messenger sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam is a reflection of how much one glorifies Allaah; He says:

ما لكم لا ترجون لله وقارا

which means: “What is [the matter] with you that you do not attribute to Allaah [due] grandeur.” [Nooh: 13] Imaam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said: “A sign of the believer’s glorification of Allaah is his honouring the commands of Him and His Messenger.” [End of quote]

· Naming prohibitions with other than their real name in order for others to deem it as insignificant. Changing the real name of any prohibited matter does not change its ruling in Islaam; this is simply a con. An example of this occurred in a Muslim country where a Fatwa was given, stating that people could loan that government an amount of money by depositing it in a bank, and that the government would ‘reward’ them at the end of the year. In other words, the interest-based (i.e. Ribaa) contract was called one of ‘reward’ as a trick.

Does changing the name of something alter its reality? If we were to call a pig a goat, would the pig really become a goat? It is ridiculous to believe that changing the name alters the reality of anything, regardless of how cleverly the deception is done. The hypocrite claims to be a believer, but his reality is the opposite, and this is why this type of person will receive the harshest of punishments. If the title or the name meant everything, then the hypocrite, who claims belief, would truly be a believer.

This deception and trickery takes many forms, such as: changing the name of Ribaa to interest, loan fees, trade certificates, profit, money for delay, and so on; calling intoxicants as spiritual drinks, as the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: “A group of my people will drink intoxicants and give it other than its real name; Allaah will turn them into pigs and monkeys”; calling a fornication or adultery partner a girlfriend; calling apostasy freedom of ideology; calling allegiance with the disbelievers political wisdom and farsightedness; calling music and drawing animate objects art, and so on. Some of those so called Muslims who suffer from defeatism and spinelessness state that Islaam does not prohibit such things, but rather encourages them. We ask them: Who was it that informed us that every person who depicts an animate object will be thrown into Hell? Who was it that told us that the angels will not enter into a house in which pictures and dogs are present? Was it not the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam himself?

These people have invented a new name for every sin, to the extent that we now see Muslims committing every type of vice and transgression under this pretext. Imaam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said: “The one who uses trickery in order to sin is mocking Allaah and His verses, and is toying with His boundaries.” [End of quote]

· Diluting Islaam under the pretext of Islaam as being an easy religion that does not impose difficulty upon people. These people claim that every Muslim has the right to discuss Islaamic rulings, and that they change according to every circumstance and era. They also think that anyone can pass such rulings - even singers and actors.

Some of these people have diluted Islaam to such an extent that they have removed the impediments and limits between Muslims, who believe in Islaamic monotheism, and the Christians and Jews, who altered their religion and slandered Allaah, and who thus deserve to be cursed until the Day of Resurrection.

· Slighting the commands of Islaam. There are others who attach absolutely no importance to women adhering to the Hijaab and have no problem with them wearing tight clothes and being in seclusion with men. Along the same lines, they have no regard for their young girls dressing in a decent manner; some of them allow their girls to wear short dresses under the pretext that they are young. Such girls may reach the age of ten, or more, whilst still wearing such short dresses.

Another example of people having no regard for Islaamic rulings are those who have gatherings solely for the purpose of backbiting others, in which music is played.

Finally, there are some people who very foolishly refuse to ask about the Islaamic ruling regarding some of their dealings, lest they discover that it is prohibited; they think that this absolves them from any sin.

From islamav.com