The Struggle between Divine Will & Ego’s Wish
The Holy Qur’an describes the Nafs in various ways. There is the Nafs that inclines towards evil, known as “an-nafs al-ammarah bis-su’,” as mentioned in Surah Yusuf, Verse 54: “Indeed, the soul commands evil, except for the one upon whom my Lord has mercy.” This state is dangerous, for it normalises sin; it justifies disobedience; it turns what is forbidden into pleasure. Yet Allah, in His mercy, grants the opportunity to purify this Nafs, to transform it into a tranquil soul (an-nafs al-mutma’innah), as mentioned in Surah Al-Fajr: “O soul at peace, return to your Lord, pleased and pleasing.”
But this transformation is not automatic. It
requires discipline, sacrifice, inner reflection, and above all, a sincere will
to please Allah. The Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) said: “The true
warrior is the one who fights against his own Nafs in obedience to Allah.”
This Hadith redefines courage; not merely in external warfare, but in
self-mastery. The one who can say no to their own desires is stronger than the
one who conquers an army.
Satan is an enemy who uses all kinds of tricks
to mislead mankind. He comes quietly, inch by inch. He does not arrive with a
direct threat; he comes with gentle suggestion, with illusion, with empty
promises. In Surah Al-Baqara, Verse 269, Allah says: “Satan threatens you with poverty and orders you to immorality,
whereas Allah promises forgiveness and grace.” This verse reveals
the trap of Satan. He plays on fear – the fear of lack, of loneliness, of loss
– and pushes man towards immorality. But Allah calls His servant towards peace,
towards light, towards purification.
In modern life, evil takes many forms. There is
the gaze that crosses the limit; the word that wounds others; the thought that
corrupts the heart and soul. There is also jealousy, arrogance, anger, pride – all
of these are poisons of the heart. Keep in mind that unhealthy desires are like
spiritual parasites that consume the purity of the heart. Therefore, one must
remain vigilant; one must guard their heart from being affected by these
spiritual parasites. Constant purification is essential.
The Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) taught
several ways to combat inner evil. Among them is fasting (Roza/ Sawm).
In a Hadith reported by Bukhari, he (pbuh) said: “Whoever cannot marry, let
him fast, for fasting is a protection.” Fasting weakens the Nafs,
strengthens awareness, purifies the heart. It teaches patience, restraint, and
brings a person closer to Allah.
There is also Zikr – the remembrance of
Allah. In Surah Ar-Ra’d, Verse 29, Allah says: “Indeed,
it is through the remembrance of Allah that hearts find tranquillity.” Zikr is not just on the tongue; it must be
in the heart, in actions, in decisions. The one who keeps Allah in their
thoughts gains strength to resist all forms of temptation.
Knowledge too is a powerful weapon. The Holy
Prophet (pbuh) said: “Whomever Allah wishes good for, He grants him
understanding of the religion.” (Bukhari, Muslim). When a person knows what
is Halal and what is Haram, when they understand the wisdom
behind Allah’s commands, they gain sincere motivation to follow the right path.
Knowledge illuminates the way; it removes ignorance; it provides guidance.
Yet sometimes, evil is not obvious. It hides in
small actions – be it a hypocritical smile, a flattering remark with hidden
intent, or a complicit silence. That is why the Holy Prophet (pbuh) said: “Whoever
controls his tongue will enter Paradise.” The tongue can save or destroy;
it can purify or corrupt. Therefore, one must have verbal discipline – in how
they speak and behave.
There is also the gaze. The Holy Prophet (pbuh)
said: “The gaze is a poisoned arrow of Satan. Whoever lowers his gaze, Allah
will grant him sweetness in his heart.” The gaze can ignite the fire of
desire; it can lead to sin. But the one who controls their gaze gains an inner
light.
Anger too, as I mentioned in my previous
sermon, is an enemy. The Holy Prophet (pbuh) said: “Do not become angry.”
And he repeated this several times. (Bukhari)
Anger can destroy relationships, lead to
violence, and bring regret. The one who remains calm in provocation earns a
high rank with Allah.
In Surah Ash-Shams, Verses 10 to 11, Allah
says: “Indeed, the one who purifies his soul
succeeds; and the one who corrupts it fails.” These verses summarise
everything: destiny depends on the state of the heart. The one who allows their
heart to be filled with resentment, jealousy, and unhealthy desires falls into
loss. But the one who cleanses their heart, seeks sincerity, and fights against
their own weakness, achieves success.
Prayer (Salat) is also a powerful means
to combat evil and attain success. The Holy Prophet (pbuh) said: “Prayer is
light.” (Muslim)
When a person performs their five daily prayers
with focus, humility, and love, they gain protection against evil. In Surah
Al-Ankabut, Verse 46, Allah says: “Prayer
prevents indecency and wrongdoing.” Thus, prayer is not merely a
ritual; it is a daily purification.
Finally, there is repentance. Repentance erases
the past; it opens the door to the future; it attracts divine mercy. The one
who regrets their past wrongs, turns to Allah in repentance, weeps, and seeks
forgiveness, receive a new beginning.
So, the struggle against evil and inner
passions is not easy, but it is possible. With faith, with knowledge, with
discipline, with prayer (Salat and Duahs), with Zikr, with
fasting, with repentance – each person can transform their heart. And the one
who wins this battle obtains peace, light, and closeness to Allah.
May Allah grant all of us the ability to perceive
and recognise evil (for what it is), to resist all forms of temptation, to
purify our hearts, and to live in sincere obedience to Allah. May Allah protect
us all from arrogance, envy, anger, pride, and all that opposes His will. May
Allah grant us hearts that love truth, seek His light, and rest in divine
peace. Insha-Allah, Ameen.
----Friday Sermon of 17 October 2025~24 Rabi’ul Aakhir 1447 AH delivered by Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir A. Azim (aba) of Mauritius.