HUMBLE SUPPLICATION

Shaytan is the archenemy of the children of Adam from the time of creation. When Allah (s.w.t.) created Prophet Adam from clay and ordered all angels to prostrate (as a mark of respect), everyone obeyed except Iblis (Shaytan) on the pretext that he was created by fire and Adam was created from clay and fire was superior to clay. Allah expelled him whereupon Shaytan vowed to mislead the children of Adam till the specified time. Surah al-Isra’ Ayah 61 and 62 refers, “When We told the angels to prostrate before Adam, they all obeyed, except Iblis who said, “Should I prostrate before one whom You have created out of clay? He continued, “Take notice: the one whom You have honored more than me, I shall bring him and most of his offspring under my sway if You will give me respite until the Day of Judgment.”

Shaytan has access to every man but man cannot see him, one can defend himself if he can see the enemy. Not only man cannot see his enemy - Shaytan -  but also cannot perceive his strikes. How to know which thought is Shaytani or which is Rehmani or virtuous. Every thought which makes a man suspicious about the outcome, which takes a man away from Allah, His Messenger or the pure Imams is Shaytani.  For example, if one wants to give charity, Shaytan tries to discourage him by scaring him of poverty or somehow delay it. Every thought which brings man nearer to Allah and spiritual rewards in the Hereafter, is Rehmani. For example, if it is time to pray, he should do it right away, or if someone asks for charity, one should spend the money right away. Some time, even while performing a pious deed, Shaytan tries to pollute the worship, like making the deed as show-off or drown him into superiority complex. At times, Shaytan distracts man while doing pious deeds for nearness to Allah, he penetrates the thoughts to make them for public appreciation and hypocrisy. Every good deed should be strictly for the pleasure of Allah (s.w.t.).

At numerous places in the Glorious Qur’an, Allah has warned mankind about the enmity of  Shaytan; e.g. Surah al-Kahf Ayah 50, “Why do you (people)obey him (Shaytan) and his offspring instead of Me, even though they are your enemies? How terrible will be the recompense that the wrong doers will receive!”, Surah al-Fatir Ayah 6, “Shaytan is your enemy. Thus, consider him as your enemy. His party only calls you to make you the dwellers in the burning fire.”, Surah Yaseen Ayah 60, “Children of Adam, did We not command you not to worship Shaytan? He was your sworn enemy.”

Because man is quickly attracted towards carnal desires, hence Shaytan strikes the hardest in those situations. The event of Prophet Yusuf involving Zulaykha is an eye opener for us as detailed in Surah al-Yusuf. Prophet Yousuf asked for the Mercy of Allah and He helped Prophet Yusuf overcome the situations involving carnal desires. He (a.s.) said in Surah Yusuf Ayah 53, “…all human souls are susceptible to evil except for those to whom my Lord has granted Mercy. My Lord is certainly All-forgiving and All-merciful.”

Whenever a man apprehends that Shaytan is attacking him, he should right away supplicate humbly to Allah (s.w.t.) for safety from the accursed one sincerely from the bottom of his heart.

For the preventive defenses against the attacks of the invisible enemy, Shaytan, one should consciously make efforts to remain nearer to Allah; keep his body and thoughts clean, follow the instructions given by the Glorious Qur’an, the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) and his Pure Progeny (a.s.), avoid the prohibitions in Islam, perform all and every good deed and humbly supplicate to Allah (s.w.t.) and seek His Mercy.

Sources: The Glorious Qur’an (Urdu Translation) by Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi – Tafsir-e-Namuna

               “Iste’aza” by Ayatollah Sayyid Muhammad Husayn Dasteghaib (Shaheed)