Part 8

- 72 - will keep trying to misguide Your slaves so long as their souls are in their bodies.' The Lord said, 'By My Glory and Majesty, I will continue to forgive them so long as they ask My forgiveness.'" [sahih al-Jamee (2/32)] Thus, prompt repentance and turning to Allah whenever one falls into one of Shaytan's enticements is sure to destroy the plan of Shaytan. Adam disobeyed Allah and so did Iblees, but the former repented and sought Allah's forgiveness and Allah pardoned him; while He cursed the latter and destined him to the eternal Fire. The difference between the two crimes is clearly apparent. After violating the Command of Allah, the Exalted, Adam and Hawa did not insist on their sin. Rather, after realizing that they had committed a sin by eating from the forbidden tree in Paradise; Adam and Hawa admitted to their sin without delay. They sought forgiveness and Mercy of Allah saying, "Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If You forgive us not, and bestow not upon us Your Mercy, we shall certainly be of the losers." [surah al-A'raf (7): 23] "Then Adam received from his Lord Words. And his Lord pardoned him

- 73 - (accepts repentance), the Most Merciful." [surah al-Baqarah (2): 37] Iblees, however, did not confess his sin; he insisted on it, protested and argued with Allah trying to justify his sinful act. This is the crux of the matter that when one transgresses a limit set by Allah, he should admit it to be a sin and wrongdoing on his part, and not try to justify his fault like for example those who deal in Riba. They use arguments like the world has changed, everybody deals with interest nowadays or fixed interest is a universal scheme these days and as such there is nothing wrong in dealing with Riba. We say to them, "Do not be arrogant and try to justify your wrongdoing. Do not say Riba is not haraam (forbidden), but humble yourself to Allah and seek forgiveness for your sin and confess your weakness and negligence in complying with His Commands - For, this will keep you within the boundaries of Eeman but if you reject the Command of Allah and argue that Riba is not a crime… you may exit the pale of Islam and commit Kufr (disbelief). We seek Allah's Protection from this.

- 74 - the Prophet r said, "When Iblees had descended to the earth. He said, 'O Lord! You made me descend to the earth and You made me an outcast, appoint for me a home.' Allah said, 'It is the bathrooms.' He said, 'Make me an assembly (gatherings).' Allah said, 'Markets and shopping places.' Shaytan asked again, 'Assign for me food.' And Allah said, 'Every food on which the Name of Allah has not been mentioned (pronounced).' He said, 'Decide for me a drink.' Allah said, 'Wine (intoxicants).' He said, 'Appoint me a caller (an announcer).' Allah said, 'It is musical instruments.' He said, 'Make for me a quran.' Allah said, 'Poetry.' He said, 'Decide for me a writing.' Allah said, 'Tattooing.' Shaytan said, 'Assign me a discourse (talk/chat).' Allah said, 'Lying.' Then he said, 'Appoint for me messenger.' Allah said, 'The fortunetellers and soothsayers.' Shaytan said, 'Decide for me a hunting means with which I can hunt (trap).' Allah said, 'Women.' [See, Mu'jam al-Kabeer]