The Youth and Inclination Towards Major Sins – [Some Safeguards]


In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.


[1] The Task of Parents and Teachers
[2] Understanding The Temptations Faced By Youth, Especially In This Era – The Youth Who Asked The Prophet to Permit Him to Fornicate
[3] An Example In Yusuf [peace be upon him] When Seduced
[4] The One Who Complained to Imaam Ibraaheem Bin Ad’ham About His Sins
[5] Companionship
[6] Mobile Phones and Other Devices


 

The Task of Parents and Teachers

Allaah [The Exalted] said:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا قُوا أَنفُسَكُمْ وَأَهْلِيكُمْ نَارًا وَقُودُهَا النَّاسُ وَالْحِجَارَةُ عَلَيْهَا مَلَائِكَةٌ غِلَاظٌ شِدَادٌ لَّا يَعْصُونَ اللَّهَ مَا أَمَرَهُمْ وَيَفْعَلُونَ مَا يُؤْمَرُونَ

O you who believe! Ward off from yourselves and your families a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones, over which are (appointed) angels stern (and) severe, who disobey not, (from executing) the Commands they receive from Allah, but do that which they are commanded. [Soorah Tahreem: Ayah: 6]

Al-Allaamah Abdullah Bin Muhhamad Bin Humaid [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: The meaning of “O you who believe”. Some of the pious predecessors said that if you hear the statement of Allaah “O you who believe”, then listen attentively because it is either something good you are being commanded or something forbidden you are being prohibited from. And regarding the statement “Ward off from yourselves and your families a Fire (Hell)”, this cannot be achieved except by fulfilling the commandments of Allaah and keeping away from what He has forbidden. This is what the statement “Ward off from yourselves” means, by fulfilling the rights of Shahaadah “None has the right to be worshipped except Allaah”, worshipping Allaah alone, acquainting yourself with Tawheed and free the Shahaadah from all that either negates it or that which negates the obligations it necessitates. Free the Shahaadah from bidah in the religion which are a belittlement of it and the sins that diminishes its worth. Likewise, (the statement Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah’ has rights), and that is to fulfil what the Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] commanded and keep away from everything he has forbidden, and that your worship of your Creator is carried out in accordance with what the Messenger legislated.

And also regarding the statement, “Ward off from yourselves and your families a Fire (Hell)”, it is well known that children are the most important part of the family, therefore you must take up a shield of protection against the fire to protect your children and those under your care. And what is this protection? It is the advice and guidance you give them about that which will benefit them- teaching them what is beneficial and correct by way of which Eemaan is nurtured in the hearts and by way of which they will come to know the rights of their Creator and the rights of their parents. This is the meaning of “Ward off yourselves and your families a Fire” by advising, guiding, teaching and distancing them from everything that will hold them back (from the straight path).

It is obligated on the teachers to implant the true creed in the hearts of the young generation. They should clarify -for them- the wisdom, beauty and underlying reasons behind the rulings of the Islamic law until their hearts grow in Eemaan and radiated with its light, so that they become upright and benefit their country, governments, Islamic Nation, its people and the Religion. Therefore, the teacher who teachers your child should be an upright example for his pupils, they take him as an example in fulfilling the commands of Allaah and in his manners, just as Ut’bah Bin Abee Sufyaan said to his children’s teacher, “Indeed, I have come to you to teach my children; firstly, rectify yourself and adhere to your religion, because their eyes are fixed on you. They will not see you beautifying or doing something, except that they will blindly follow you. Teach them the best of the narrations, meaning, the best and most beneficial, and the most beneficial science. Keep them away from flirting with women and composing love poems about them; rather teach them the hadeeth and the Qur’aan, and poetry and etiquettes of the Arabs that develops bravery in the souls, heroism, nobility and adherence to good customs”. This is what Ut’bah said to the teacher of his children that my children will follow your deeds just as they learn from your sciences, herefore your actions must be good. Therefore, if the teacher strives together with the households and the fathers, the child will be given a good and upright upbringing. He will benefit his country and government, and Allaah will benefit Islaam and the Muslims through him. However, if his teacher is one of the corrupters, the enemies of Allaah, His Messenger, the religion of Islaam and the Muslim lands, (the student) will follow his footsteps because a student follows the fundamental principles of the teacher. (1)

Understanding The Temptations Faced By Youth, Especially In This Era

Abu Umaamah [may Allaah be pleased with him] said, “A young man came to the Prophet [peace and blessings of Alaah be upon him] and said, ‘O Allaah’s Messenger! Give me permission to commit fornication’’. The people turned to him to rebuke him, saying, ‘Shh, shh’. [The Prophet said], ‘Come here’’, so he came close to him and he told him to sit down. He said, ‘Would you like that for your mother?’ He said, ‘No, by Allaah, may I be sacrificed for you’. He said, ‘Nor do people like it for their mothers’. He said, ‘Would you like it for your daughter?’ He said, ‘No, by Allaah, may I be sacrificed for you’. He said, ‘Nor do people like it for their daughters’. He said, ‘Would you like it for your sister?’ He said, ‘No, by Allaah, may I be sacrificed for you’. He said, ‘Nor do people like it for their sisters’. He said, ‘Would you like it for your paternal aunt?’ He said, ‘No, by Allaah, may I be sacrificed for you’. He said, ‘Nor do people like it for their paternal aunts’. He said, ‘Would you like it for your maternal aunt?’ He said, ‘No, by Allaah, may I be sacrificed for you’. He said, ‘Nor do people like it for their maternal aunts’. Then he placed his hand on him and said: [اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ ذَنْبَه ، وَطَهِّرْ قَلْبَه ، وَحَصِّنْ فَرْجِه – Allahum Ighfir dhanbahu, wa tahhir qalbahu, wa hassin farjaru – O Allaah! Pardon his sin, purify his heart and guard his chastity]. [Reported by Ahmad 21708]

The trustworthy adviser, the one sent as a mercy to the creation – may Allaah mention him with praise and send salutations of peace upon him – placed his hand on the chest of that young man and said, “O Allaah! Pardon his sin, purify his heart and protect his guard his chastity”. Three supplications; write them down, memorise them and give them importance: “O Allaah! Pardon his sin, purify his heart and guard his chastity”. I say: write them down and memorise them, for indeed the youth at present are in an era of Fitan (trials, temptations). I don’t think that youth who was (present) during the era of the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] encountered Fitan (trials, temptations) similar to that which is encountered by the youth at present in this era; therefore -in this era- the youth is in need- [Shaikh pauses and cries]- of being shown mercy by the people of virtue, compassionate towards them, show love and sincerely supplicate for them from the bottom of one’s heart. The supplication of a father for his child is answered and the supplication of a mother for her child is answered. A father should not say about his son, “May Allaah humiliate him” or “May Allaah prevent him from receiving good or despised him” or “May Allaah curse him”. He (the father) should not be a helper of shaytaan against the child. The youth are in need of mercy- the father’s mercy, the mother’s mercy, the mercy of relatives, the mercy of colleagues and friends. The youth are in need of these sincere supplications from the truthful (or sincere) hearts- out of hoping for Allaah’s reward. Due to the effect of this sincere advice, mercy and supplication of the Prophet, this youth who was present in that era of the Prophet departed from the presence of the Prophet and nothing (of that sin) remained in his heart- the desire left his heart. He got up, whilst the slightest desire for this affair – which the hearts are inclined towards and are greatly put to trial by way of it – did not remain in his heart. He got up, whilst there was nothing in his heart. Three affairs [i.e. regarding the manner in which the Prophet dealt with the affair]: Mercy, fine admonition and truthful supplication, and the effect is great indeed. By Allaah! The youth nowadays are in need of those who show them gentleness- those who truthfully supplicate for them, give fine admonition and clarification to them, and those who are not helpers of shaytaan against them.

In relation to the likes of this advice, the Prophet said, “Do not be helpers to shaytaan against your brother” when they – [i.e. some of the companions said about a man who was brought to the Prophet several times due to consumption of alcohol] – said, “May Allaah humiliate him”’, “May Allaah curse him”, (so) the Prophet said, “Do not be a helper to Shaytaan against your brother”, so he guided one towards saying, “May Allaah forgive you”, supplicate for him [i.e. the sinner].

In a nutshell, (the intent behind these admonitions) which the Prophet detailed is to awaken the hearts, (such as the statement), “Do you love that for your mother; do you love that for your daughter; do you love that for your sister etc….” This awakens the heart – a great and blessed awakening, so the person departs with this detailed and fine admonition and truthful supplication to Allaah. It brings about a tremendous and blessed outcome, because indeed Tawfeeq [i.e. being granted guidance and the ability to act upon it], rectification of the hearts and purity of the souls is in the hands of Allaah, who guides whomsoever He pleases to the straight path. (2)

https://abukhadeejah.com/do-not-cease-being-repentant-to-allaah/
https://abukhadeejah.com/repent-for-your-sins-attain-forgiveness-through-good-treatment-of-your-parents-and-rectify-your-life/

An Example In Yusuf [peace be upon him]

Imaam Sadi [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: Allaah has placed in man’s nature an inclination towards a woman, just like the inclination of a thirsty person towards water and that of a hungry person towards food. And even though many people do exercise patience with regards to their (desire) for food and drink, but not with regards to their (desire) for women. This is not blameworthy if it is in accordance with what is permissible; rather it is something praiseworthy.

Yusuf- at the time- was a young man and the sexual desire of a young man is much stronger. He was a bachelor, a slave of the king’s wife and was bought for a few dirhams. And a slave has no control over his affairs. He was a stranger in the land and a stranger in a strange land can fulfil his [evil] desires, which he is not able to fulfil in his own land, in the presence of his family and those who know him well [i.e. because he feels ashamed]

The wife of the King was a woman of high status and beauty; so one these two [affairs] would urge a person to agree with her request. The wife of the king was accessible [i.e. she was willing to commit the evil act of zina]. She sought after Yusuf; she desired him and was infatuated with him. Yusuf was living in her house, under her authority and would have feared being harmed for refusing to obey her. Yusuf was safe from being exposed because she sought after him and locked the doors. She also appeared in her best adornment and said to Yusuf, ‘Come on O you!’ She also threatened Yusuf with imprisonment and belittlement. She sought the assistance of the rest of the women and Yusuf sought the assistance of Allaah against them. Despite all these difficult circumstances surrounding Yusuf (alayhis-salaam), he exercised patience and preferred obedience to his Lord. He preferred the pleasure of Allaah and fear of Him. His love of Allaah made him choose imprisonment over committing zina. He said: [قَالَ رَبِّ السِّجْنُ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِمَّا يَدْعُونَنِي إِلَيْهِ – He said, ‘O my Lord! Prison is dearer to me than that to which they invite me’.]

So what was the end result? Yusuf was granted honour and authority in the land. He was mentioned with good and beautiful praise. This was his reward in this worldly life and his reward in the hereafter is Paradise. (3)

 

The One Who Came and Complained to Imaam Ibnraaheem Bin Ad’ham About Himself

Imaam Abdul Ghaniy Al-Maqdisi stated in his book At-tawwaabeen that a man once came to Ibraaheem Bin Adham and said, “O Abu Ishaaq! Indeed I have transgressed against my Nafs [through evil deeds], so present to me that which will be a deterrent for my nafs and will save [or rescue] my heart”. So, Ibraaheem said to him: “If you accept five affairs and fulfil them, neither will you be harmed due to sinning nor will the enjoyment [or delight from it] bring you destruction. The man said, “Mention them to me O Abu Ishaaq”.

Ibraaheem said: “The first affair is that when you want to disobey Allaah – The Mighty and Majestic- do not eat His provision”. The man said, “Where would I eat from when it is case that all that is in the earth is from His provision?” He said, “O you! Is it right that you eat His provision and disobey him?” The man said, “No; mention the second affair to me”.

Ibraaheem said, “If you want to disobey Allaah, do not live anywhere in Allaah’s earth”. The man said, “This is greater than the first affair! When it is the case that the east, the west and whatever is between them belongs to Him, then where would I live?” Ibraaheem said to him, “O you! Is it right that you eat His provision and live on his earth, yet you disobey him?” The man said, “No; mention the third affair”.

Ibraaheem said, “If you want to disobey Him whilst you are being provided from His provision and living on his earth, then do so in a place where He cannot see you”. The man said, “How can that be when it is the case that He knows everything that is hidden”. Ibraaheem said, “O you! Is it right that you eat his provision, live on his earth and you disobey him whilst he sees you and what you do?” The man said, “No; mention the fourth affair”.

Ibraaheem said, “When the angel of death comes to take your soul, tell him, ‘Delay its departure until I perform sincere repentance and perform righteous deeds for the sake of Allaah’”. The man said, “He (the angel) will not accept that from me”. Ibraaheem said, “O you! When it is the case that you cannot repel death until you repent and you know that there is no delay when it comes to you, then how do you hope to escape?” The man said, “Mention the fifth affair”.

Ibraaheem said to him, “When the Zabaaniyah [i.e. guardians of hell] come to you on yawmul qiyaamah to take you to the fire, do not go with them”. The man said, “Neither will they leave me nor accept that from me”. Ibraaheem said to him, “So, how do you hope for safety then?” The man said, “O Ibraaheem! This is enough! This is enough! I seek Allah’s forgiveness and repent to Him.” (4)

 

Companionship

Only True Friends and Righteous Companions Will Benefit You

 

Mobile Phones and Other Devices

This article was forwarded by Shaikh Abdul Waahid (Abu Khadeejah) via WhatsApp and the translator is Shaikh Hassan Somali [may Allaah preserve them]

Question to Al-Allaamah Saaleh Al-Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him]: Noble Shaykh-may Allaah grant you success-the questioner asks: ”Is it permissible for me as a parent to search through the mobile and computer of my children, fearing that there may be something upon them?

Response: Yes, this is obligatory upon you. It is [mandatory] that you inspect them and look through them. How many times have I mentioned to you that you should not buy them mobile phones that have the capability to do more than [make a call] and speak on them…..

The questioner said, may Allaah preserve you: ‘’some people say that this type of behaviour on behalf of the father is deemed spying, which has been prohibited. Is there any truth to this statement?

Response: This speech is false and erroneous. The parent is commanded to nurture and educate their children, supervise them and to monitor them. It is compulsory for them to do this, and this is not considered to be spying. This is fulfilling the mandatory duty that Allaah has placed upon him….

10/1/2013


[Ref 1: Excerpt from ‘Al-Fataawaa Wad-Duroos Fil Masjid Al-Haraam’- 938-944. slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 2: Listen to audio]

[Ref 3: An Excerpt from Al-Asbaab Wal A’maal Allatee Yudaa’afu Bihaa Ath-Thawaab’. pages 55-56]

[Ref 4: At-taleeq Alaa Bawaa’thil Khilaas Min Adh-Dhunoob. Lesson 1] https://al-badr.net/sub/369]

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