The Pleasures of Darkness

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ 

The following is adapted from a swuhbah from Shaykh Muhammad Nazhim Adil al-Haqqani (q.s.) on the 13^th March 2010. 

Shaykh Nazhim (q.s.) began with the recitation of a’udzubillah min ash-shaythan ar-rajim.  He reminded us to read it at least seven times daily, but if we are able to read it forty times daily, it would be better.  For those who seek to reach the level of accepted servants and to be saved from the impurity of Shaythan, they should recite it seventy times daily. 

The believers would get upset to see disrespect shown towards Rasulullah (s.a.w.), as he is one held in the Highest Esteem by Allah (s.w.t.).  When people do not show respect for Rasulullah (s.a.w.), the heavens shake in anger and Divine Curses rain upon them.  For those seeking Allah’s (s.w.t.) Pleasure, it is a clear and lighted way: open the door and we may enter at will.  But there are people seeking the other way, an impure way, to please their egos.  Our egos are impure so its desires are also impure.  It is easy for Shaythan to persuade our egos to go the way of darkness.  The ego is already inclined in that direction, so a little cajoling is all it needs. 

The ultimate aim of many people is to be in darkness.  Does that surprise us?  It should not.  Most are obedient to their egos and the egos lead to darkness.  The reality is that most people fall deeper and deeper into darkness each day.  People like being in darkness.  It envelops them, preventing others from seeing their shameful deeds.  They run away from enlightenment.  During the day, people go to work like donkeys and their minds are on the approaching night. In the day, they chase the world.  But the greatest pleasures are found in the darkness of the night.  They yearn for these dirty pleasures.  They shun the light and those who bring them.  The messengers of the Lord of Heavens have been bringing Divine lights to save humanity.  Each prophet reached out to their umam with these lights.  But Shaythan and his followers spit at these guiding lights.  They wish to extinguish Allah's (s.w.t.) Light. 

سُوۡرَةُ التّوبَة

يُرِيدُونَ أَن يُطۡفِـُٔواْ نُورَ ٱللَّهِ بِأَفۡوَٲهِهِمۡ وَيَأۡبَى ٱللَّهُ إِلَّآ أَن يُتِمَّ نُورَهُ ۥ وَلَوۡ ڪَرِهَ ٱلۡكَـٰفِرُونَ (٣٢) 

Fain would they extinguish Allah’s Light with their mouths but Allah will not Allow but that His Light should be Perfected, even though the unbelievers may detest (it). (Surah at-Tawbah:32) 

Pleasure for the ego is for it to be able to enjoy without barriers borders.  In darkness, no one can see what it does.  It is like a drug-dealer or a prostitute, hiding in the shadows.  In darkness, no one else exists, desires are manifest.  Those in the darkness are blind to their faults or the rights of others.  It is a reality focused on the pleasures of the self even if it means destroying oneself or others.  Once in darkness, they no longer wish to leave it.  They believe they have found real pleasure.  They may never seek out true guidance again.