In Shaykh’s Company

by Abu Abdullah Ibne Ismail

“In our journey to acquire the pleasure of Allah we will face two forces that will try to oppose us. The first is Shaytan and the second is the nafs.

Shaytan is our eternal enemy. Under no circumstance will he become our friend nor will he ever aid us in our journey. This is why on the day of Qiyamah Shaytan will say to those who followed him that I did not force you to follow me. I only called you towards evil and you accepted my invitation through your own will.

The second force is that of the nafs. The nafs is like an immature friend. It is not aware of the reality of rewards or punishments.

Thus if the nafs finds pleasure in sleeping at the time of Fajr it will force one to sleep and miss the Fajr salah.

The main difference between nafs and Shaytan is that Shaytan wishes for us to commit sin, whilst nafs wishes to fulfil its desires.

Thus if alcohol and fresh fruit juice were to be placed in front of us Shaytan would try his utmost to ensure that we consume alcohol and thereby commit a sin.

The nafs however will not differentiate between permissible and impermissible. Thus if the fruit juice is enough to fulfil its desire the nafs will suffice with that.

If we befriend our nafs, then it will be easier to combat Shaytan as Shaytan will no longer have an inside agent to mislead us.

All we need to do is give our nafs the enjoyment it needs though permissible actions. If we train the nafs properly then it will find enjoyment in worship instead of sin.”