THE MELODIOUS VOICE OF SHAYTAAN
The worst-case scenario for a person inflicted with a disease is when the one involved refuse to believe that they are being inflicted by the disease. The way this phenomenon is accepted and recognised in diseases and illnesses that affect the physical body, it is also true with regards to spiritual ailments.
One of the many causes for the decline in the Muslim Ummah is that we continue to feed off such acts that erode our hearts and distance us from Allah (SWT). Unfortunately, we see our Muslim brothers and sisters at the forefront of many evils and immoralities. The spiritual power which was once the trait of the Muslims is nowhere to be seen. One of the main reasons for the erosion and darkening of our hearts is indulging in music and useless entertainment.
Often, I hear people saying I know music is Haraam but every time I make a resolution to stop listening to music, I have a relapse and go back to listening to it. I know how difficult it can be, you plug in those earphones and suddenly your favourite song is the first to play and Shaytaan convinces you to listen to just the one song and then the next and you fall back into the routine. Your resolution gets washed away and you push the nagging feeling at the back of your mind that is telling you to stop away.
Growing up, I did not come from a home that listened to music nor was my home one that was opposed to music. In my early teens I fell under the influence of some friends who encouraged me to listen to music and I thought I was so cool for knowing the words to the latest songs. It went on for about two years until I was afforded the company of a beloved Ustaadh of mine. I was going to embark on the journey of Hifdh with her and she told me something profound. She said that the same way that oil and water do not mix, light and dark can never mix nor can they co-exist in your heart. Music is dark and the Quraan and Imaan are light so they can never exist in the same heart.
That day I went home and I began to look for motivation to give up this sin that was affecting my heart tremendously. I found plenty of Ahadeeth and Ayah but from amongst them two particular ones stood out to me:
- Amongst the signs of weak Imaan is that the Quraan has no effect on the heart, the thought alone that when Allah (SWT) is speaking to me and it has no effect on me made me shudder alone. I knew that I had to let goof music to taste the sweetness of His words and giving up music did just that.
- Allah (SWT) says inthe Quraan Kareem:
‘’ (Allah said to Iblees) And befool themgradually those whom you can among them with your voice. (i.e. songs, music andany other call for Allah’s disobedience) – al-israa 17:64.
This ayah brought such awe and fear into my heart that every time I switched on my play list, I was listening to the words of Shaytaan himself. I was not just allowing him to enter my heart I was giving him a grand welcome into my heart when I found joy in listening to music.
Alhamdulilah, only with the mercy of Allah and with His help and great effort did I leave the words of Shaytaan that made my heart ill and diseased behind. I turned to the words of my Lord and there has not been greater sweetness to my ears and my heart since. I know the struggles of letting go but every time you think of pressing that play button just think about the weakening of your Imaan and that you are giving Shaytaan an open invitation into your heart which should be only for Allah.
May Allah Azzawajal keep me and you steadfast on the right path, the path of light and keep us away from the path of evil and darkness. Aameen.
