Letter 8: Screwtape advises Wormwood not to rejoice upon the patient's wavering religious conviction because if a person comes out of their low phase triumphantly he may actually become closer to God. The last paragraph of the letter was especially powerful, because it really sows dedication to Allah when a person continues to do good deeds, even when they are "undesirable."
It's interesting how much that bothers the devil and ties in nicely with the ayah in which Iblis tells Allah that he will lead everyone astray, except the chosen ones.
"[Iblees] said, "My Lord, because You have put me in error, I will surely make [disobedience] attractive to them on earth, and I will mislead them all. Except, among them, Your chosen servants." (Al-Hijr 15:39-40)
Letter 9: In this letter, Screwtape advises Wormwood on how to play with the thought processes of a person who is feeling low. I thought it was really interesting how he emphasized on the word "phase" and the devastating connotations it can have, as if religion is a part-time amusement that you can put away when your heart is satisfied with the spiritual high it gives you, and then go back to when you "need" Allah, although you always need Him and are obligated to obey Him, even when you don't wish to do so.
Letter 10: I think the problem with bad friends and the personality crisis mentioned in this letter was so real and so common that it's scary to think about. I mean, there are loads of people who live double lives, being one way at home and another way outside, without reflecting on whether their lifestyle is pleasing to Allah or not. I also like the great detail that Screwtape went into to explain the thought processes of the person getting influenced by his skeptic and worldly friends. It's only a matter of time before he starts thinking and behaving like them. There's a hadith that explains this very accurately:
"The likeness of a righteous friend and an evil friend is the likeness of a (musk) perfume seller and a blacksmith. As for the perfume seller, he may either bestow something on you, or you may purchase something from him, or you may benefit from his sweet smell. And as for the blacksmith, he may either burn your clothes, or you may be exposed to his awful smell."
Letter 11: This letter completely caught me off guard and kind of threw a whole new idea into my face like a flying soccer ball. It's so interesting how the misuse of humor can cause a person to do evil and then justify it by getting people to laugh. It's scary how often this happens and yet nobody notices nor talks about it. This letter gave me the realization of how many "small" evil things people do that go unnoticed just because we are too oblivious. These "small" deeds then have major consequences that are nearly impossible to ignore. One example of this may be of "Islamophobia." This tactic, coined by anti-Islamic people is designed and used to scare people and now radio and news stations sometimes use it as a "humorous" way to degrade Muslims. What's worse is that even Muslims find the word funny sometimes.
3 comments:
Great thoughts. InshAllah, I will post my comments soon.
Chapter 8: Undulation
The first hadith that came to my mind regarding the fluctuatation of faith is:
“Yes, all mankind’s hearts are between two of the fingers of Allaah. If Allaah wills He maintains a man’s steadfastness, and if He wills He deviates him” (Ahmad & Tirmithi).
When the shakyah said this he demonstrated this meaning by moving his two fingers up and down...meaning eman is always fluctating its how we handle the fluctuations that keep us close to Allah s.w.t and prevent us from being stuck in what Screwtape calls the "trough"
The theme of undulation reminds me of this hadith Narated By 'Aisha (RA):
Allah's Apostle(SAW) said,
"Do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately
and know that your deeds
will not make you enter Paradise,
and that the most beloved deed to Allah is the most regular and constant even though it were little."
(Volume 008, Book 076, Hadith Number 471.)
Which encourages the consistant good deads compared to just one which will help one get through unulation.
Not only do good deeds help one through undulation but so does istigfaar or repenting to Allah s.w.t. Like Screwtape says on page 37 of this chapter " To be in time means to change" So there is always an opportunity to reconnect with that which is good.
"Truly, Allah loves those who repent, and He loves those who cleanse themselves." [Al-Baqarah 2:222].
"O Allah! Make me among those who, when they commit an act of virtue, feel good, and when they commit a mistake, they seek forgiveness." [Ibn Majah]
Constant istigfar also reminded me of Sura 13 Ayah 28 of the Quran, "Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest".
This verse speaks to the idea of depression caused by undulation.
Chpt 8: Riding the Wave
It is He who sent down tranquility into the hearts of the believers that they would increase in faith along with their [present] faith. And to Allah belong the soldiers of the heavens and the earth, and ever is Allah Knowing and Wise. (48:4)
Chpt 9: Exploiting Fitnah
But as for he who feared the position of his Lord and prevented the soul from [unlawful] inclination, Then indeed, Paradise will be [his] refuge. (79:40-41)
Chpt 10: Friends
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “A man will follow the way of his close friends, so let each one of you look at who he takes as a close friend.” Narrated by Abu Dawood
Chpt 11: Fun/Joking
And if you ask them, they will surely say, "We were only conversing and playing." Say, "Is it Allah and His verses and His Messenger that you were mocking?" Make no excuse; you have disbelieved after your belief. If We pardon one faction of you - We will punish another faction because they were criminals. (9:65-66)
Chpt 12: Slippery Slope
And Allah wants to lighten for you [your difficulties]; and mankind was created weak. (4:28)
Chpt 13: Repentance
"Do not despair of God's mercy; He will forgive you of all your sins".Qur'an (39:53)
Chpt 14: Humility
And We have already sent [messengers] to nations before you, [O Muhammad]; then We seized them with poverty and hardship that perhaps they might humble themselves [to Us]. Then why, when Our punishment came to them, did they not humble themselves? But their hearts became hardened, and Satan made attractive to them that which they were doing. (6:42-43)
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