The Method of Taubah
Taubah is such a great thing that one can have all one’s sins forgiven through it. If a person always ponders over his condition and knows that at some time or the other one definitely commits a sin, then he will consider taubah to be necessary all the time.
Allah Ta’aala says: “O Believers! Make Tauba unto Allah; a pure Taubah.”
Rasulullah Sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: “O people! Make Taubah unto Allah.”
We have been informed in the Hadith that the second ten days of Ramadaan are the days of Maghfirat (Forgivenss). These are the days wherein Allah Ta’aala opens His “Arms” and accepts the pleas of those seeking forgiveness and hears the cries of those who repent. These are the days when Allah Ta’aala looks with pity and compassion at the sad hearts of those who are regretting their sins. These are the days when Allah Ta’aala appreciates and accepts the resolve of those who firmly decide to shun past sins and who pledge that they will abstain from the sins in future by controlling their Nafs and combating Shaytaan.
Finally, my honoured brother! It should be clear that the matter demands an effort and sacrifice. Do not think that the treatment will be accomplished by taking a mere tablet or by thinking a mixture of medicine. Mujáhadah (sacrifice and striving) coupled with tazkiyah-e-nafs (cleansing of the inner self) is necessary. This can be achieved by worship and obedience, abstaining from evil and vice, from the company of the ‘Ulema and participating in the work of Tabligh and Da’wah.
All praise belongs to Allah Ta’ala, the Almighty, the Great and may Allah Ta’ala’s Choicest Blessing and Peace be upon our Nabi (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam), His Family and His companions.
8. READING THE INCIDENTS OF THE AMBIYA AND THE PIOUS
Amongst those things which help man control his desires is to read and ponder over the incidents of our pious predecessors – how they controlled their desires and realised the presence of Allah Ta’ala. Consider, for example, the incident of the Nabi of Allah, Yousuf (alayhis salaam). It is an amazing and strange incident. All the means and requirements of temptation which had not gathered for anyone before, gathered for Yousuf (alayhis salaam) . He was an extremely handsome young unmarried slave. She (Zuleikha) was a lady of beauty and dignity. Yousuf (alayhis salaam) was living in her house, etc. Despite all this Yousuf (alayhis salaam) preferred the Pleasure and Fear of Allah Ta’ala over all these temptations. He chose the prison instead of fornication. Allah Ta’ala says: “He (Yousuf alaihis salâm) said: “The prison is more beloved to me than that towards which they call me.” (Sura Yousuf, ayah 33)
6. STRUGGLING AGAINST EVIL INCLINATIONS, THOUGHTS AND DESIRES
It is known that actions are originally thoughts which occur in the mind. These thoughts then turn into desires. Thereafter, these desires become firm intentions and, finally, these firm intentions are transformed into actions. From this you could conclude the importance of thoughts. If there is correctness of thoughts, then desires and actions will be correct and, similarly, if there is corruption in thoughts, then this will lead to evil desires and actions. According to the Hadith Sharif, Allah Ta’ala overlooks thoughts as long as these thoughts are not given practical expression.
2. FASTING (SAUM)
Our Trustworthy Advisor, Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) has directed those persons who are unable to marry and bear its burden to fast. Nabi (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “0 Group of youth! Those amongst you who have the ability to marry should marry because it lowers the gaze and protects the private parts. And those who cannot marry should fast because fasting breaks desires.”
Every harm is the result of sins. Hence, the harms of masturbation proves that it is a sin. Why should it not be so when sins are the root of misfortune and the key to all vices. Ibne Qayyim (Rahmatullahi alaihi) says:
“The reason for every loss, misfortune and evil in this world and the hereafter is sin and opposing the Lawsand Commands of Allah Ta’ala. Moreover, sin destroys bounties and blessings as fire burns wood.” It is possible to divide the harms of this vile act as follows:
SHAR’I (RELIGIOUS) HARMS
The Shar’i harms are many. Some of them are as follows:
In another hadith it is stated: “If anyone keeps alive five nights (through zikr and other worship) then he is assured of entry into paradise. (the five nights are) eighth, ninth, and tenth of zul Hijja, the night of Eidul Fitr, and the fifteenth of Shabaan.”
The ban on pictures of animate objects (people and animals) is stated with great emphasis in many highly authentic Ahaadith. The authenticity of these Ahaadith has never been questioned by anyone, not even by those who propagate the permissibility of pictures. These people (who believe in the permissibility of television, cable, etc.) make their best endeavors to interpret away the prohibition. But all their interpretations are baseless and no Muslim of intelligence who is not intoxicated by his nafs will find sense in the interpretations to legalize the prohibition of pictures of animate objects.
TAHAJJUD
Of all the Nafl Salat, the greatest in rank is the “Tahajjud Salat”. The Ahaadeeth speak much about the great significance of this Salat. The time of Tahajjud is greatly efficacious for the acceptance of dua.
Tahajjud Salat is performed in the latter part of the night. After having gone to bed one should rise late in the night and engage in this wonderful lbaadat which has always been the practice of the great and pious people. The minimum number of rakats in Tahajjud is four and the maximum is twelve rakats. This Salat can also be performed in two rakat or four raka’t units. The niyyat for this Salat is simply to intend that one is performing Tahajjud