The Energy Point of Hidden Subtlety (Latifa e Khafi)- II

The Original Sin of Satan

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) warned that jealousy is a dangerous illness. It can lead people to gossip, slander, and dethrone others of their possessions. Jealousy breeds injustice, oppression, and even violent acts like theft and murder. Satan, who worshipped for ages before humans were created, was cast out and condemned because of his spiritual disease, not due to polytheism or disbelief. Envious lust led him alone to bad luck.  

Let us recite the words of the Quran which were uttered by Satan:

"You created me from fire, and him from clay." (Surah Al-A'raf, 7:12)

In this verse, Satan's arrogance is evident. Despite being created from fire, a substance that rises and seeks superiority, he refused to prostrate before Adam, who was created from clay, a humble material that remains grounded and lowly.

The Evidence and Statement of Satan

Satan arrogantly declared, 

"You created me from fire, and him from clay. I am better than he." 

This display of jealousy caused all of his previous decline prostrations and adoration, as he was cast out from Allah's presence and deemed accursed.

After being cast out, Satan's arrogance and envy led him to defy Allah once again. In his conversation with Allah, he declared his intention to lead Adam and his descendants astray, vowing to tempt them away from the path of righteousness. 

He arrogantly proclaimed, 

"I will lie in wait for them on Your straight path. Then I will come upon them from in front and behind and from their right and their left, and You will not find most of them grateful [to You]."

 (Surah Al-A'raf, 7:17)

Satan's arrogance knew no limits as he schemed to corrupt humanity and turn them away from their Creator. His jealousy fueled his desire to see Adam and his descendants suffer, blinded by his own pride and resentment. 

In his twisted logic, he believed that by leading others astray, he could somehow elevate himself above them and defy the will of God. Despite Satan's best efforts, his arrogance and envy only led to his own downfall. His rebellion against God was rooted in the very qualities that caused his expulsion from the heavens - “pride, envy, and disobedience.” In his pursuit of power and superiority, he became the epitome of evil, forever condemned to roam the earth as a deceiver and a tempter. 

As followers of Sufism, let us heed the lessons of Satan's downfall. Let us guard against the seductive whispers of pride and envy that seek to lead us away from the path of righteousness. Instead, let us cultivate qualities of humility, gratitude, and submission to the will of God.

By purifying our hearts from the poison of envy, jealousy and arrogance, we can attain true spiritual enlightenment and draw closer to the Divine.

In the face of adversity and temptation, let us remember the fate of Satan and strive to emulate the example of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who remained steadfast in his devotion to Allah despite facing countless trials and tribulations. Through humility and submission, we can overcome the whispers of ego and envy and walk on the path of righteousness, guided by the light of faith and divine wisdom. 

 Abu Jahl's Jealousy Towards the Prophet (PBUH)

What was Abu Jahl’s envy about the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)? What was Abdullah ibn Abi envious of? And what about other disbelieving leaders? They were all afflicted with the disease of envy. Let's mention how does Allah frequently uproots this deadly disease from within. 

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 

“How the disease of jealousy transferred from the nations( Christians & Jew) before you is making its hath among the followers of Islam! I do not say that it shaves hair, That is the shaver." (Tirmidhi)

Envy Among Scholars and Saints... Why? 

It has been found that this disease is highly dangerous. This perilous disease is found everywhere, but it is more prevalent among scholars and saints. For example, why do people often offer more charity to a certain individual? Why are they more devoted to their disciple? Why do so many people pray behind them? These foolish individuals envy them because they cannot reach their level. Some criticize, some find faults, and some conspire against them, whether it is in the field of medicine, politics, or anywhere else. Hence, it seems as if every member of society is afflicted with this deadly ailment. Therefore, Allah Almighty has taught us to seek refuge from envy and has instructed us to recite the two protective chapters, Surah Al-Falaq and Surah An-Nas. 

We have been taught the following supplication:

"And from the evil of the envier when he envies." (Al-Alaq, 5)

Let us seek refuge from the envy of the envious.

Remedy for the Devastations of Envy

This disease of envy corrupts a person's soul, therefore, to avoid it, one should remember Allah frequently in a subtle manner so that one can be saved from this vile, crude, and destructive disease. Envy is the opposite of contentment. Therefore, one should strive to be contented and avoid envy. And one should supplicate: "O Allah! You have granted me success, I am a great sinner, grant me success as well, You have given me the ability to teach the Quran, to teach the Hadith, to serve the creation, I am unworthy, have mercy on me too, and grant me the ability to surpass Satan and serve Your creation." Therefore, one should aim for contentment, not envy. Along with envy, there is another disease, which is called stinginess. Stinginess is also a very dangerous disease. 

Extremely Close-Fisted & Covetous

A covetous person was eating rice with sugar on them when a fly came. It quickly grabbed a tiny grain of sugar and flew away. Now he was worried. He put the plate aside and ran towards the fly to snatch the grain. With determination, he caught the fly. He thought, "This fly has caused me so much loss, now I will skillfully snatch the grain." Sometimes he tried to grab the grain with a needle, and sometimes with fingers. Finally, when he failed to snatch the grain, he swallowed the grain along with the fly, so that it could taste the sweetness of the sugar. Therefore, he is said, the stingy person. 

A stingy person is one who does not spend even when there is a need. 

In the Holy Quran, there are two words, one is stingy or miser, and the other is spendthrifts. 

"Indeed, the wasteful are brothers of the devils." (Surah Al-Isra, 27)

(Without a doubt, those who spend excessively (miserly) are indeed the brothers of the devils.)

Miserly individuals are called stingy because when they spend their wealth on righteous deeds, they feel pain. However, when they spend on sinful activities, they feel no remorse. For instance, those who indulge in gambling, playing cards, smoking, and other vile deeds waste their wealth and time. A miser does not spend on good deeds or evil deeds. He argues with a seller over a discount of five rupees, while he easily spends a rupee on trivial purchases.

The Path of Moderation and Balance 

The Holy Quran guides:

"And those who, when they spend, are neither extravagant nor niggardly, but hold a medium (way) between those (extremes)."  (Surah Al-Furqan, 25:67)

"And those who, when they spend, are neither extravagant nor miserly but hold a balance between those (extremes)."  (Surah Al-Furqan, 25:67)

The Quran has praised those who choose moderation. Being content with sufficiency is commendable, while taking from extravagance or being miserly is incorrect. Islam is a religion of moderation. Spending on food, clothing, and children is a necessity for humans. But if, instead of this, one keeps accumulating money by pinching pennies and neglects to provide for his wife and children's lawful needs, then it is a curse. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) severely condemned miserliness. It is also mentioned in the Holy Quran that sufficiency is a good habit. Islam is a religion of moderation, and moderation means a balanced approach. Therefore, the wise say,  

                              "Spread the cloth according to the size of the legs."