Whisperer Reflections: Chpts 1-7

References that will help us with some of the themes from the first chapters of Screwtape (there are many more and we look forward to hearing from the rest of you):

1. Dunya and Desires:  On the authority of Ibn ‘Umar, radiyallahu ‘anhuma, who said: The Messenger of Allah,sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam, took me by the shoulder and said:
   “Be in this world as though you were a stranger or a traveler/wayfarer.” 
   Ibn ‘Umar used to say: 
   “When evening comes, do not expect (to live till) morning, and when morning comes, do not expect (to live till) evening. Take from your health (a preparation) for your illness, and from your life for your death.”  [Al-Bukhari]
2. Arrogance:  “And turn not your face away from men with pride, nor walk in insolence through the earth. Verily, Allaah likes not any arrogant boaster.
   And be moderate (or show no insolence) in your walking, and lower your voice. Verily, the harshest of all voices is the braying of the asses” [Luqmaan 31:18-19] 
   
   
3. Parents:  It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) ascended the minbar and said: "Ameen, Ameen, Ameen." It was said to him,"O Messenger of Allaah, why did you do that?" He said, "Jibreel said to me, 'May Allaah rub his nose in the dust, that person who Ramadaan comes and his sins are not forgiven,' and I said, 'Ameen'. Then he said, 'May Allaah rub his nose in the dust, that person who lives to see his parents grow old, one or both of them, but he does not enter Paradise,' and I said, 'Ameen'. Then he said, 'May Allaah rub his nose in the dust, that person in whose presence you are mentioned and he does not send blessings upon you,' and I said, 'Ameen.'" 
4. Prayer:  “Seek Allah’s help with patient perseverance and prayer. It is indeed hard except for those who are humbly submissive.”[2:45]
5. Hardships/War:  “Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while such [trial] has not yet come to you as came to those who passed on before you? They were touched by poverty and hardship and were shaken until [even their] messenger and those who believed with him said, ‘When is the help of Allah?’ Unquestionably, the help of Allah is near.” [Qur’an, 2:214]
6. Worry & Fear:  Narrated Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri and Abu Huraira:  The Prophet said, "No fatigue, nor disease, nor sorrow, nor sadness, nor hurt, nor distress befalls a Muslim, even if it were the prick he receives from a thorn, but that Allah expiates some of his sins for that." 
7. The Devil's Existence & Extremism:  "Thus We have made you [Muslims] a Wasat nation, that you be witnesses over mankind and the Messenger Muhammad be a witness over you." (Soorat Al-Baqarah, Verse 143)

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