Freedom from Authority

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ 

The following is adapted from a swuhbah from Shaykh Muhammad Nazhim Adil al-Haqqani (q.s.) on the 27^th February 2010. 

People are always seeking pleasure here and in the hereafter.  They never like to be in discomfort.  In order to reap, we must sow.  So in order to attain pleasure, we must strive for it.  An example would be that of a farmer who wants to harvest apples and apricots, yet he plants nothing in his orchard.  Obviously, come harvest time, he will have nothing to pluck.  He is simply a daydreamer who speaks of the rewards, but is heedless of the effort and sacrifices he has to make in order to achieve them.  We are the same, always speaking and yearning for Paradise, yet making no effort to change our behaviour.  We are still not following Divine Commands. 

Many have been caught in Shaythan’s traps; so many people take Shaythan as their trusted advisor.  Even more people take Shaythan as their leader.  How can he be a good leader when he has sworn to drag every human being into Jahannam with him?  Yet, people trust Shaythan’s advice, as their egos tell them that Shaythan is doing his best for them, that his teachings would bring them out of darkness, into a shining life.  Not one human being has achieved respect in this world or the hereafter by following Shaythan’s advice. 

Shaythan hammers this into humans all their lives - that there is only one life, this worldly life, and the life of the hereafter is non-existent.  He encourages humans to seek endless pleasures through an endless array of suggestions, to never tire of seeking entertainment and new experiences.  He whispers to us that he is free to do as he pleases, so follow him and we too shall be free.  He tells us to never accept anyone commanding or ruling him.  He claims to be free of that.  The people of dunya want to be free to seek pleasure in any way they want. 

Shaythan dangles this bait of freedom from authority in front of our ego, and our ego loves this.  The ego likes to rule, and never wants to be ruled.  Shaythan wants humans to reject all rules and follow him, for he claims that is the way to happiness.  Shaythan misled Adam (a.s.) and Hawa.  He offered them a way to attain happiness that had no end.  He claimed he was their concerned advisor.  He advised them to go against Allah’s (s.w.t.) Command, and he caused them to lose their way.  Shaythan is offering us the same deal today. 

Today, almost every national anthem of the countries around the globe contains the word “freedom”.  Wives want to be free from their husbands and vice versa.  Children want to be free of their parents.  Citizens want to be free from their governments.  Nations want to be of each other’s influence.  So everyone fights with everyone else to be free, all believing that freedom brings ultimate happiness, as freedom for the ego to do anything that it desires without retribution, is tempting bait.  Shaythan encourages all to seek freedom from authority, and he reminds you that there is only this worldly life; there is no retribution, as there is no life in the hereafter.  It is a deadly trap, as the ego cannot resist such an offer to do as we please, without fear of punishment. 

Yet, in reality, we are all servants - husbands, wives, parents, children, citizens.  No one is free, everyone is bound by the Commands of Allah (s.w.t.); everyone will face retribution.  So when people seek freedom from Allah (s.w.t.), they take Shaythan as a guide and leader.  They become Shaythan’s slaves, instead of Allah’s (s.w.t.) servants.  It is ironic that in following Shaythan’s (s.w.t.) call to be free from all authority, they have actually taken Shaythan as the authority, the guide and the leader.  He ties them up like a horse tied to a cart.  Such horses have their eyes partially blind-folded.  They pull a heavy burden; they are not free to do as they please.  Instead, they have tight reins fastened in their mouths, and Shaythan whips them mercilessly, forcing them to run endlessly, seeking enjoyment.  Instead of achieving happiness, such “free” people are under the yoke of Shaythan.  Their burdens, their sins grow daily.  Restless and unsatisfied, they are forced by Shaythan to seek new avenues of enjoyment.  Shaythan pulls their reins and whips their backs, forcing them on until they collapse.  So freedom from Allah (s.w.t.), and freedom to do as we please, means enslavement to Shaythan and certain destruction. 

Allah (s.w.t.) has Enjoined all of humanity to co-exist as one brotherhood.  We are free to travel and to interact and to forge ties amongst ourselves.  Back in the Prophet’s (s.a.w.) time, there were no such things as borders and passports.  Today, we exist as separate nations; each with clear boundaries and it is difficult to travel now, with many countries requiring visas, with strict immigration clearance.  Many countries have so many restrictions on visitors.  So, despite the fact that Allah (s.w.t.) has enjoined freedom amongst us to travel and to know each other, Shaythan has preached the exact opposite, encouraging us to impose restrictions, and to view one another with suspicion and distrust.  Many visitors are turned away at checkpoints, if they cannot show sufficient money, or give a good reason to visit.  Shaythan tells people that they have the right to restrict or give permission, as they please, that they have the freedom to do so.  Yet, people forget, that the land they stand on, is Allah’s (s.w.t.), not theirs. 

Today, it is even difficult to visit Makkah al-Mukarramah and Madina al-Munawarrah with the visa restrictions that have been imposed on the Holy Lands.  Just as a house has a title deed in someone’s name, who holds the title deed to the House of the Lord, Baytullah?  Does it belong to anyone in particular?  So how can anyone dare to restrict access to a place of Worship that does not belong to him, making it difficult for the Guests of Allah (s.w.t.) to reach His House?  Allah (s.w.t.) will Send punishments on the representatives of Shaythan who persevere in spreading difficulties, for servants of the Lord.  So follow the Divine Commands, be Allah’s (s.w.t.) servant and be free from Shaythan.