Temptation is housed in the breasts of the people as stated
in Surah al-Nas, “Say, I seek the protection of the Lord of the humans,
Sovereign of humans, God of humans, from the evil of the sneaky tempter who
puts temptations in to the breasts of humans, from among the jinn and humans.”
As per the teachings of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.)
and his Pure Progeny (a.s.) Allah is not the creator of evil but only virtues.
Allah created jinn not Iblees.
Similarly, Surah al-Shams Ayah 7 to 10, “By the soul and
Him who fashioned it, and inspired it with (discernment between) its virtues
and vices: one who purifies it is felicitous , and one who betrays it fails.
Human beings are endowed with both virtues and vices; one
who develops virtues becomes pious and the one who commits vices and sins
becomes the follower of Iblees.
Surah al-Hujurat Ayah 14, “The Bedouins say, ‘We have
faith.’ Say, ‘You do not have faith yet; rather say, “We have embraced Islam,”
for faith has not yet entered into your hearts.”
The seat of Islam is the “breasts” as in the Surah al-Nas
above, while the seat of belief (Iman) is the “hearts”. So, the Iblees enters
the breasts and tempts the Muslims but cannot enter the hearts wherein lies the
Wilayat of Imam Ali (a.s.)
After Iblees refused to prostrate to Adam in defiance of the
Divine Order, Allah degraded him. Iblees beseeched for respite and Allah
granted him that. Iblees said, Surah al-Hijr Ayah 36 to 40, “He said, ‘My Lord!
Respite me till the day they will be resurrected.’ Said He, ‘You are indeed
among the reprieve until the day of the known time. ‘He said, ‘My Lord! As You
have consigned me to perversity, I will surely glamorize (evil) for them on the
earth, and I will surely mislead them all except Your Exclusive Servants among
them.” Exclusive ones are the translation
of “Mukhlaseen”; whom Allah created pure! From this point on, paths of virtues and vice
became different.
Except the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.), Hazrat Ibrahim was
at the highest standing. But to him also Allah said He guided Ibrahim towards
the “Straight Path” Surah al-Nahl Ayah 120 and 121, “Indeed Ibrahim was a
nation obedient to Allah, a hanif, and he was not one of the polytheists.
Grateful (as he was) for His blessings, He chose him and guided him to a
straight path.”
Only the Noble Messenger
(s.a.w.a.s.) was on the Straight Path as stated in Surah al-Yaseen Ayah 1 to 4,
“Ya Sin! By the Wise Qur’an, you are indeed one of the apostles, on a Straight
Path.” And there is another person; Nafse Rasool, Imam Ali (a.s.). Surah
al-Nahl Ayah76, “Allah draws (another) parable: Two men one of whom is dumb,
having no power over anything and who is a liability to his master: wherever he
directs him he does not bring any good. Is he equal to someone who enjoins justice and is (steady) on a
Straight Path? There is a tradition that a senior companion
Abdullah ibn Masood was in the presence of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) and
inquired as to who the person referred to in this Ayah. Momentarily, Imam Ali (a.s.)
opened the door of his house, Abdullah ibn Masood saw Imam Ali (a.s.) then drew
his attention back to the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.). He (s.a.w.a.s.) said,
“You are seeing the person and still asking who was referred in the Ayah.”
Compare the purity of character, conduct and the
inimitable personal excellence of Imam Ali (a.s.) and his identity with the
Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.), and what yeoman services he lent in establishing
Islam, in the worst of the situations, to those whose personal weaknesses, lack
of faith and cowardice made them run away leaving him (s.a.w.a.s.) amidst the
worst of his blood thirsty enemies.
Sources: Tafsir-e-Namouna by Ayatullah Nasir Makarem Shirazi,
Glorious Qur’an (English translation) by Ali Quli Qara’i
The Holy Qur’an (English translation) by
Ayatullah Pooya (r.a.), lecture by Ayatullah Talib Jauhari (r.a.)
