When a person turns away from an act of disobedience even though he has the opportunity and is capable of performing it, he has turned his soul away from the unlawful and has opposed his soul, pleasing Allaah thereby, and being obedient to Him. He has struggled with his soul and fought against it with a strong and intense battle. As a result of this he overcomes and dominates it and he will receive success and prosperity in this world and the Hereafter with the permission of Allaah.

And Shaikh-ul-Islaam (rh) said: "Showing patience in (avoiding) the unlawful things is more excellent than showing patience in calamities and afflictions. Whoever abandoned an act of disobedience although he was capable of performing it is one whose fight against his soul is most intense and most excellent. This is because he left a thing which his soul tempted him with and made him aspire for. So he opposed it and was capable of defeating it."

This is why the youth who is tempted by a women of rank and beauty and says to her: "I fear Allaah" will be amongst the seven whom Allaah will shade on the Day when there will be no shade except for His, because he prevented his soul from committing what it desired and wanted and at the same time he was capable of performing it.

Likewise, the one who lowers his gaze although he has the opportunity and capability to look at something unlawful is amongst those who fight against and deterr their souls. Along with that he will receive a mighty reward in this world and the hereafter.

Also, the one who keeps his hearing away from the forbidden things such as music and singing, backbiting, slandering and lying, is a fighter against his soul and he will obtain a reward from Allaah if his action was to please Allaah.

A similar analogy can be made for every matter that makes a person distant from his Lord or earns His anger. It is vital for a person to be far from it and to oppose his soul in performing it.

And how excellent is the saying:

Oppose the soul and shaytaan and protect it (the soul)
They (seem to) give you sincere advice, so restrain them both

Therefore, a person must oppose his soul and call it to account constantly. As a result of this he must make it patient in doing acts of obedience and refraining from acts of disobedience. He should also make it patient in being continuous in performing the righteous actions so that he ascends with them, to the highest of positions, to the pleasure of Allaah and to everlasting happiness.

I ask Allaah, the Most High and the Powerful to benefit us with what He has taught us and to teach us that which wil benefit us and that He forgives our mistakes. We ask him to help us against our souls and that He does not leave us to rely upon ourselves for a single moment, verily, He is capable of that and Allaah knows best.

Prayers and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon his family.

Written by

Nawwaal bint Abdillaah