The Academy of Iblis

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ 

The following is a summary of swuhbah by Shaykh Muhammad Nazhim Adil al-Haqqani (q.s.).   

Iblis was the most jealous of all the creatures that Allah (s.w.t.) Created, and all those who have jealousy in their hearts, are his followers.  Millions of people have graduated from Iblis' Academy, and he proudly presents them their graduation scrolls, saying to them, “Here is your Certificate.  You are following my footsteps.”  Shaythan has many academies, and he has no shortage of students, all learning to become the filthiest.  Today there are so many followers yearning to graduate from these academies. 

What are the four cursed characteristics of Iblis that these graduates are acquiring?  These are kibr, arrogance; hasad, jealousy; ghadhab, anger and ‘anid, stubbornness.  Arrogance is to view oneself as better than others, above the level of others.  Our egos belong to Shaythan, and these four characteristics, are characteristics of people who belong to Shaythan.  These are the four worst characteristics that one can possess.  Anyone possessing them is a follower of Shaythan.  He cannot enter Paradise and he cannot cross the Swirath.  He will fall in to the Fire.  These characteristics remove the beauty in us, making us ugly.  As long as one does not cleanse himself from these four characteristics, he cannot enter Paradise.  Therefore, Allah (s.w.t.), the Merciful Sent us prophets to help us clean ourselves of these characteristics. 

The worst characteristic of the four above is arrogance because it was arrogance that caused people to reject their prophets who had come to clean them.  They looked down on their prophets, they questioned their prophets’ right to preach, and they felt pride that they were leaders of tribes that were respected and large.  If we are to look at the tribal leaders that proudly opposed Rasulullah (s.a.w.), we see the folly of their actions and their demise.  Where are they today?  Where are these powerful tribes that they used to lead? 

When Allah (s.w.t.) Commanded the angels to prostrate, Iblis remained standing.  At the moment that Iblis defied Allah (s.w.t.), he was suddenly transformed into an ugly and revolting creature.  He became so deformed and ugly that if we looked at him, we would feel nauseas.  Iblis lost his honour, beauty and status in the instant that he remained standing in defiance.  From that moment on, Allah (s.w.t.) no longer Spoke to Iblis for it is an Honour to be Spoken to by Allah (s.w.t.).  Whenever He had Reason to, Allah (s.w.t.) Sent an angel to speak on His Behalf to Iblis. 

If we look at someone with the eye of the heart and his face radiates ugliness, he has inherited that darkness of Iblis.  That ugliness is a sign to us that something is not right with that person.  So many people resort to using make-up today to hide that emerging ugliness.  If we look into a mirror and see our own beauty, then we should prostrate to Allah (s.w.t.) in thanks for He has Placed a Divine Light within us. 

Whenever the Prophet (s.a.w.) spoke, he spoke the words of Allah (s.w.t.).  He is speaking on behalf of his Lord as he is Allah’s (s.w.t.) Representative.  From these words pour forth oceans of knowledge, and we can learn from these oceans endlessly.  The Prophet (s.a.w.) said in a hadits, “If you wish to ask for goodness from someone, look at his face, and if you find in that face goodness, then ask from him.”  This hadits is etched in golden letters.  It is an important ocean for us to understand.  So many rich people, kings and leaders are always scowling, serious and unapproachable.  They look so ugly when they behave like this.  If only they smiled and were friendly, loving and approachable. 

One should be generous, for Allah (s.w.t.) has Said in a hadits al-qudsi that He will never Humiliate anyone who gives and gives in Allah’s (s.w.t.) Path.  So give freely, Allah (s.w.t.) will Replenish from His Wealth what you gave for His Pleasure, for Allah (s.w.t.) loves the generous.  Allah (s.w.t.) Says, “If you obey Me, I shall Make it such that, when you say be, it shall Be.”