LITMUS TEST FOR TRUE PIETY

 

By

Abu Imrān

Ignore the image of perfection and piety people either deliberately or accidentally try to build around themselves online, one of the most difficult tests of obedience to Allāh comes from our private moments.

"This is wrong, but it is seems so interesting and pleasurable, and nobody is watching. However, I wouldn't taste/do it because Allāh is watching even if no one is".

The above is a litmus test that not too many people pass, not even many of those you hold in high regards. People fighting to stay pious don't have it easy. It is one tough fight that often leaves you with a bloodied nose. You win some, you lose some, you just never give up as you hope and pray that Allāh sees the sincerity of your drive and repentance, and know that He is oft forgiving. But do you sincerely repent? If you wouldn't give up the fight you will get better, Allāh will make it easy for you to stay pious and steadfast.

Allāh says

{ وَٱلَّذِينَ ٱهۡتَدَوۡاْ زَادَهُمۡ هُدٗى وَءَاتَىٰهُمۡ تَقۡوَىٰهُمۡ }

And those who are guided - He increases them in guidance and gives them their righteousness. [Surah Muḥammad: 17]

The problem is when we don't make efforts to be, stay or return to being righteous and chaste in private, and all our efforts are focused on how we are perceived in public.

"He is an ustadh, an unrivaled da'ee, a fierce promoter of truth with zero tolerance for falsehood, who never jokes with women"

Maa shaa Allāh! What about your private interactions, how clean and righteous are they? How confident are you that if your private chats were to ever make its way to the public, you will be safe? Do you think those whose filthy chats made it to the public domain didn't take the precautions you are currently taking that gives you confidence and immunity?

The problem is not just about falling for the ploys of Satan. The real problem I think is that we are nowhere close to being as righteous as we portray online but deceive even ourselves to believe that depicts us. We are weaker and more vulnerable than we think, and having acquired a vast amount of knowledge doesn't make us any less so. The cancer of a sexualised society has eaten deep into the morality of many muslims than they care to admit.

Litmus test: 

●How much do you still strive to lower your gaze in public, and especially in private?

●If a content you are watching, whatever it is, throws up a woman that has any part of her awrah exposed, even if it is just her arms or neck (nothing sexual) do you make any effort to avert your gaze, or has your mind accepted it as a norm for it to be displayed? Unfortunately is a steep decline. First, staring at the neck is nothing, then the cleavage, then.....

●Do you still feel shy and uncomfortable having a conversation with a woman once it goes beyond the boundaries of what is necessary or do you think "it is just a harmless chat"?

The first thing that dies in us before we are overcome by sexual corruption is our moral code. That discipline that drives how we interact and perceive whatever has to do with the opposite sex. Once that veil is ripped off, then there is nothing left that a person can't do as you will become shameless. Once people lose shyness and modesty, they will do whatever they want. So watch your moral code in private over the very little things; the things others consider a norm.

All these are even for those that are still concerned about righteousness, may Allāh make it easy for us. Others are as decayed as it gets on the inside. Righteousness is just a cloak they wear to mask the corruption deep within and they are not making any effort towards the light. They are comfortable with the darkness of sin. As a matter of fact, the public display of righteousness is a honey trap for unsuspecting women where they drop their guards believing they are in the presence of a righteous person who won't take advantage of them. How mistaken they are! It is on the hindsight of this we advise women to keep their guards up at all times irrespective of their perception of a person as righteous or otherwise, as even the righteous can fall, and the corrupt can wear the cloak of righteousness.

Zina, whether as adultery or fornication, and all that surrounds it, are rabbit holes you dont want to fall into. It is a slippery slope that once you trip on it, your fall from righteousness becomes rapid.  You will struggle for a grip to find your way back up and it would seem there is none. You will look at yourself in the mirror and fail to recognise your own self. Chastity is purity. You lose it, and even though you convince yourself all is fine, deep down, the filthy stain on your soul will always hunt you. A believer that once felt the sweetness of being close to his Lord suffers the pain of being distant more!

The best thing that could happen to you today, is to give up those lewd chats and inappropriate contacts. The more you consume of it, the worse you become, and you will not escape one of two disgraces: in this world and or in the hereafter.

May Allāh rectify our affairs and make being righteous easy upon us.