Author: Abdul Hai Lay'yan
The Divine Education Model in the Family of the Prophets (Part 9)
Strategies for Preventing Satan’s Deception
There are several strategies to protect yourself from Satan and his tricks and temptations, the most important of which are the following:
1. Faith in Allah Almighty and trust in Him: A person who believes in Allah and trusts in Him leaves no way for Satan to penetrate, because he is under the protection of Allah Almighty. Allah says in the Quran, “إِنَّ عِبَادِي لَيْسَ لَكَ عَلَيْهِمْ سُلْطَانٌ وَكَفَى بِرَبِّكَ وَكِيلاً.” Translation: “Surely you will have no authority over My (sincere and believing) servants, and it is sufficient that (they are in the protection of Allah and) your Lord is the Protector and Supporter of (such servants).” [1]
And He also says, “إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ لَهُ سُلْطَانٌ عَلَى الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ وَعَلَى رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ.” Translation: “Surely Satan has no authority over those who believe and rely on their Lord.” [2]
2. Avoiding sins: It is necessary to abandon sins because sins make a person weak, and this weakness paves the way for Satan to penetrate through deception and temptation. In such a situation, Satan leads a person from one sin to another until the sinner becomes the “Friend of Satan.” On the other hand, avoiding sins and desires gives a person strength that protects him from Satan and his tricks. Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran: “إِنَّ عِبَادِي لَيْسَ لَكَ عَلَيْهِمْ سُلْطَانٌ إِلاَّ مَنِ اتَّبَعَكَ مِنَ الْغَاوِينَ.” Translation: “Indeed, you have no authority over My servants, except those who go astray (and) follow you.” [3]
And also says: “إِنَّمَا سُلْطَانُهُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ يَتَوَلَّوْنَهُ وَالَّذِينَ هُم بِهِ مُشْرِكُونَ.” Translation: “Indeed, Satan’s control is over those who take him as a friend and associate partners through him (and make gods and idols in the worship of Allah).” [4]
“إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ فَاتَّخِذُوهُ عَدُوّاً إِنَّمَا يَدْعُو حِزْبَهُ لِيَكُونُوا مِنْ أَصْحَابِ السَّعِيرِ” Translation: “Indeed, the Satan is your enemy, so consider him an enemy (and do not be unaware of his deceit and trickery for a moment and do not follow his temptations).” He calls his followers to become among the inhabitants of the burning fire of Hell. [5]
3. Not being deceived by the world: A Muslim should avoid being deceived by the life of this world and its adornments and not be captivated by its fleeting pleasures; rather, he should practice asceticism towards the world and know for sure that the share of this world is insignificant compared to the blessings of the hereafter. Almighty Allah says in the Holy Quran: “يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّ وَعْدَ اللَّهِ حَقٌّ فَلَا تَغُرَّنَّكُمُ الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا وَلَا يَغُرَّنَّكُم بِاللَّهِ الْغَرُورُ.” Translation: “O people! The promise of Allah is true, so let not the life of this world deceive you and let not Satan deceive you about Allah.” [6]
“وَمَا أُوتِيتُم مِّن شَيْءٍ فَمَتَاعُ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَزِينَتُهَا وَمَا عِندَ اللَّهِ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَى أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ” Translation: “What you have been given is the enjoyment of this worldly life and its adornment (and is fleeting and accompanied by misfortunes, sufferings, and pains), but what is with Allah (is better and more lasting). Do you not know (that the lasting and the mortal, and the limited and the unlimited, are not the same?!)” [7]
4. Seeking refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan: It is obligatory on a Muslim to always seek refuge in Allah Almighty from the accursed Satan and to seek refuge in Him in all matters and circumstances of life. This act, like a divine shield, protects the individual from the influence, temptations, and domination of Satan. Also, the constant remembrance of Allah causes Satan to stay away. Allah says in the Holy Quran: “وَإِمَّا يَنزَغَنَّكَ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ نَزْغٌ فَاسْتَعِذْ بِاللَّهِ إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ.” Translation: “Whenever a temptation from Satan comes to you (in this way), (be alert and resist it and) put your trust in Allah (and seek refuge in His grace), for He is All-Hearing, All-Knowing (and He will protect and watch over you).” [8]
5. Responding in the best manner, forgiving wrongdoers, speaking kindly to people, and avoiding the ignorant: If a Muslim applies these principles, he will thwart Satan’s plots and deal him fatal blows and neutralize his base temptations. Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran, “خُذِ الْعَفْوَ وَأْمُرْ بِالْعُرْفِ وَأَعْرِضْ عَنِ الْجَاهِلِينَ.” Translation: “Forgive and be lenient, enjoin good, and turn away from the ignorant.” [9[
And also says: “وَلَا تَسْتَوِي الْحَسَنَةُ وَلَا السَّيِّئَةُ ادْفَعْ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ فَإِذَا الَّذِي بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَهُ عَدَاوَةٌ كَأَنَّهُ وَلِيٌّ حَمِيمٌ * وَمَا يُلَقَّاهَا إِلَّا الَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا وَمَا يُلَقَّاهَا إِلَّا ذُو حَظٍّ عَظِيمٍ.” Translation: “Goodness and evil are not equal (never respond to evil with evil and ugliness with ugliness; rather, respond to the evil and ugliness of others) in the most beautiful way and the best way; the result of this will be that the one between whom there was enmity will suddenly become like a close friend.” This character (and great character) will not be attained except by those who have patience and perseverance, and it will not be attained except by those who have a great share (of faith, piety, and praiseworthy morals).” [10]
6. Finally, it is obligatory upon every Muslim to identify the thoughts and temptations of Satan, then weigh them with the scales of divine law so that he will not be deceived by them and will not fall into the trap of following Satan.
Continues…
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[1] Al-Isra (17:65)
[2] An-Nahl (16:99)
[3] Al-Hijr (15:42)
[4] An-Nahl (16:100)
[5] Fatir (35:6)
[6] Fatir (35:5)
[7] Al-Qasas (28:60)
[8] Fussilat (41:36)
[9] Al-A‘raf (7:199)
[10] Fussilat (41:34–35)
