Jihad Till Death

Introduction

Our ability to influence other depends on who we are. The foundation of a good society stems from a good self.

“Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.” (13:11)

We have to be the embodiment of the values that we hold dear and true. We have to try. Our Teacher, Prophet Muhammad, was described by his beloved wife, ‘Aisha as “the walking Quran”.

It starts with…the self.

What is the Self?

The self is divided. Allah said in the Quran:

“And [by] the soul and He who proportioned it. And inspired it [with discernment of] its wickedness and its righteousness,” (91:7-8).

Both – the good and the bad – are inspired in us and this dividedness reaches the core of our being i.e. the heart. Whether we like it or not, there is a battle going on inside this heart at every moment.

This battle is the Jihad an-Nafs (struggle with the lower self).

What is Jihad an-Nafs?

Jihad an-Nafs is to acknowledge that one is compelled by the lower self to do what it wants, but one chooses not to.

For example, Ali is studying and then his friends invited him to go out. His Nafs wants his to go with them and have fun but he chooses not to. He decides to stay home and study instead.

We all have a choice.

To choose means that you are at war with yourself. It is to place the unconscious battle within you into consciousness and stare it at the face, as if the Nafs is a different person entirely. A person you strive to fight, face-to-face. It is the toughest battle that you will ever fight.

If the Nafs wins, you will suffer. But if the Nafs loses, it will wait and strike again in the future. It is a non-stop battle. A battle until the very end - Jihad till death.

How do We Fight?

1. Learn the Deen

The Deen is something that you have to equip yourself with. It is the very weapon you use in this battle. Knowing what you should and shouldn't do. Surrendering the pleasures of the Nafs in order to seek the pleasure of Allah.

2. Alone times with Allah

Doesn't necessarily have to be Tahajjud during 2/3 of the night (although that is definitely preferred). Invest in brief alone times with Allah. It could be 10 minutes, half an hour, an hour, etc. Pour out to Allah using your own words.

Who cares about you more than Allah? The Prophet said that Allah loves you more than a mother loves a child.

3. Never give up

Failure is inevitable. Although you try your level best, sometimes the Nafs will knock you down. You will make mistakes, as that is the nature of man. But don't turn that into an excuse. Knowing this should make you more careful to not slip. But if you do, then you know that Allah is the Most Forgiving.

Get back up! Try again, and again, and again, ...

Conclusion

Whatever small thing that you can do, do it.

A wise man once said to another man, "Which drop of water makes this hole in the rock?" The man replied, "I don't know." The wise man said, "You don't know because it is every drop of water."

Keep on going. Don't stop. Eventually, that rock will break to pieces.

Posted by Aiman Azlan (Toronto)
Photo by David Feltkamp