It is Only for Your Own Good The exhortations that have come...

It is Only for Your Own Good The exhortations that have come in the Islamic Shari’ah that Muslims keep away from carnal desires, respect the limits defined by it and don't go unbridled does not mean that Allah (S.w.T.) doesn't want them to lead a happy life. Or that He doesn't like the Muslims to enjoy their lives. The truth is never like that.

But since your Shaakila is affected and you might be facing the danger of getting pushed into the Asfal as-Safeleen, you are warned to save yourself from the effects of evil deeds. Every glance that you make on the television monitor and the cinema screen, will leave a negative mark on your psyche. Slowly, you will then come under the spell of Satan. If you don't mend your ways soon, it might be impossible to reform the Shaakila after the age of forty years.

Satan Feels Very Happy It is said that Satan kisses the forehead of the forty year old person whose Shaakila is perverted. Satan says he would sacrifice himself on the person who has no chance of reformation. We don't say that reform of such persons is impossible. But definitely it is very difficult. It is another matter if Allah (S.w.T.) is kind on the person and he suddenly starts manifesting signs of reform and reverts to virtuous ways!

Therefore, one should be kind on himself and guide others too to keep away from lasciviousness. When the Shaakila is perverted, then matters reach such a pass that the person goes on pilgrimages, of Hajj and Ziyarat, not under Rahmani instinct, but under the influence of Satan. All these pilgrimages and the arrangements of meetings (Majalis) to mourn the Martyrs of Karbala will be just to show off to others.

He might think that he was going for Hajj or Ziyarat just as a tour of pleasure or business! He doesn't do anything with the true spirit. The Major Jihad It is very strongly advised that one should do Jihad bin-Nafs (Struggle against one's own desires).

You must have heard the tradition of the Prophet (S.), narrated in the Usūl al-Kafi , that on his return from the battlefront he said, “We are through with the Jihad al-Asghar (the Minor Struggle) but the Jihad al-Akbar is still there.” The companions asked what is that Jihad . The Prophet (S.) replied, “That is Jihad bin-Nafs .” Bearing the travails of this Jihad is tougher than going to fight on the battlefront. Therefore the rewards for Jihad bil Nafs are greater than for any virtuous act.

This is the reason that the Prophet (S) has termed it as the Major Jihad .