Class 9

AKHLAQ - CLASS 9
TABLE OF CONTENTS TOPICS
Terminology Vocabulary Respect to Parents Duties towards Parents Respect to (And Duties) towards: Disabled Teachers Children Silatur Rahm Relationship with Neighbours Affection towards Orphans Reconciling People Service to Humanity Qardh ul Hasanah Husnu Dhann & Suu Dhann Kadhmul Ghaidh Abusive Language, Insults, Sarcasm & Impertinence Rebelliousness Ikhlaas
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Leading a Moral Life Forbearance Fitna & Fasaad Treachery Betraying Secrets Takkabur, Riyaa & Ujb Wearing of Gold by Men Tawakkal Alallah Bulugh

31 33 34 35 36 37 40 41 42

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Terminology
Tafseer: Silatur - Rahm: Hilm: Ujb: Haqq-un-Naas: Tawakkal: Shirk: Explanation to the meaning of verses of the Holy Quran Maintaining good relationship with relatives Forbearance; Patience; Self-control Self-conceit; Self-importance Rights of People Reliance; Trust To Associate God with someone, or some force

Lauh Mahfoodh*: The Divine Guarded Tablet *Lauh Mahfoodh is not a tablet of any material of this world, it is a figurative expression to mean that the Holy Quran is the Final Word from the Lord which is fully guarded and preserved in the Heavens.

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Vocabulary
Adolescence Adulteration Anguish Arrogance Betrayal Despicably Engrave Environment Fatal Figurative Impertinence Inferior Interpolation Reconcile Reminiscent Salvation Sarcasm Weary Youth; Teenage years To contaminate; To make impure Pain; Distress Feeling superior; Pride Unfaithfulness; Disloyalty Disgracefully; Very badly Carved; Imprinted Surroundings; Atmosphere Serious; Severe; Deadly Not literal; Theoretical Impoliteness; Disrespect Low-grade; Second class Insert; Add incorrect information to any literature Resolve and reunite; Bring together Characteristics that reminds one of something Rescue; Recovery Disrespect; Ridicule; Mockery Tired; Exhausted

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Respect to Parents
Allah (SWT) says to one of the Prophets: I swear by My Honour that anyone who does not obey his parents, even if he comes with the deeds of the Prophets in front of Me, I will never accept him. Allah (SWT) has mentioned kindness to parents in 7 places in the Holy Qur'an, one of them being: And your Lord has commanded that you shall not serve (any) but Him, and goodness to your parents. If either or both of them reach old age with you, say not to them (so much as) "Uf" nor chide them, and speak to them a generous word. And make yourself submissively gentle to them with compassion, (And out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility), and say: O my Lord! Have compassion (mercy) on them, as they brought me up (when I was) little. Sura Bani Israail (17): 23-24 The word "uf" is a very mild word, but Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (A) said that if a milder word were to exist in the Arabic language, Allah (SWT) would have used it instead. One should never call his/her parents by their names, but refer to them as mother and father. Once a man approached the Prophet (S) and asked him if there was any act worthy of Allah (SWT)'s Mercy. The Prophet (S) asked him whether his parents were still alive, to which he replied in the positive. The Prophet (S) replied that the best deed worthy of Allah (SWT)'s Grace was to be kind to his parents since this was preferred over all acts. Indeed, the first thing that Allah (SWT) caused to be written on Lauh Mahfoodh was that: I am Allah (SWT), and there is no god except Me. I am pleased with the man, with whom his parents are pleased, and displeased with him whose parents are not pleased. The Prophet (S) said to Imam Ali (A): Sitting in the company of parents for an hour is preferable to going for Jihad. O Ali! If only a word is uttered with the intention to please ones parents, Allah (SWT) is pleased.
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Not only have your parents brought you up, but they have also taken part in your creation. Furthermore, your parents did not just give birth to you, it is they who: Played a major role in shaping your character and developed your thinking. Nurtured you, and provided you with their love and attention. Taught you the difference between right and wrong. Clothed you, and fed you well so that you become healthy. If there were ever a time when there was only enough food for one person, they would give it to the child. Your mother carried you for nine months, gave birth to you, and nursed you in your infancy. It is difficult to even imagine the trouble and anguish parents go through, for the sake of wanting to give you a better life than they had. How can we not respect them, and how can we not love them? This is one of the reasons why Islam has emphasized: Heaven lies under the feet of your mother This means that if we displease our mother, we shall never enter Heaven. In other words, the pathway to Heaven is through the pleasure of your parents. Allah (SWT) also says in the Holy Qur'an: Worship Allah and do not join any partners with Him; and do good to your parents. An Nisa (4): 36 Parents play a very important role in the upbringing of their children. The Holy Prophet (S) has said: The parents are responsible with regard to their children in the same manner in which the children are responsible with regard to their parents. Allah (SWT) blesses those who assist their children in doing good things that they do themselves. Islam considers the training during our childhood to be very important because the soul of a child is ready to accept every impression. Imam Ali (A) has said: Things taught to children become engraved on their minds like engravings on stone.
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A prayer for parents from the Holy Quran:

Wa Qul: Rabbirham huma kamaa rabbayani sagheera And say: My Lord, have mercy on them (our parents), as they looked after me when I was little. Bani Israail (17): 24

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Duties towards Parents

There are many ways to respect your parents, some of them are: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. Talk to them gently Do not raise your voice above theirs Fulfill their needs Thank them and pray for them Do not sit when they are standing Do not walk in front of them unless told to do so Do not speak when they are speaking Never correct them in front of others Do not displease them or make them angry Never insult, argue or shout at them Do not hurt them, even if they are not Muslims

The Holy Prophet (S) has said: Anyone who hurts his parents hurts me, and anyone who hurts me hurts Allah (SWT), and whoever hurts Allah (SWT) is cursed in Tawrat, Injeel, Zaboor and Qur'an. When you wake up in the morning, the first thing you should do is say "Salamun Alaykum" to your parents. If your parents ask you to do something, like go shopping, or run any errands, you should not even show them that you are tired. You should not even cast a weary glance to your parents. These are all simple things, but how many of us actually do them. The displeasure of Allah (SWT) is so great on those who displease their parents, that the person, who is disowned by his parents, will never smell the fragrance of Heaven. Also, if the parents are displeased with a child, and remain so overnight, and the day dawns with their displeasure, it will be as if two gates of hell have been opened for that child.

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The following story explains how animals are also given the instinct to protect and take care of their young.

The Devoted Mother

A mother duck and her little ducklings were happily quack-quacking on their way to the lake one day. All of a sudden the mother duck saw a fox in the distance. She was frightened and shouted, Children, hurry to the lake. Theres a fox! The ducklings hurried towards the lake. The mother duck wondered what to do. She began to walk back and forth dragging one wing on the ground. When the fox saw her he became happy. He said to himself, It seems that shes hurt and cant fly! I can easily catch and eat her! Then he ran towards her. The mother duck ran, leading the fox away from the lake. The fox followed her. Now he wouldnt be able to harm her ducklings. The mother duck looked towards her ducklings and saw that they had reached the lake. She was relieved, so she stopped and took a deep breath. The fox thought she was tired and he came closer, but the mother duck quickly spread her wings and rose up in the air. She landed in the middle of the lake and her ducklings swam to her. The fox stared in disbelief at the mother duck and her ducklings. He could not reach them because they were in the middle of the lake.

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Respect to (and Duties Towards) the Disabled

The disabled are those people who have some physical defect(s) in their bodies which do not allow them to perform as well as others in certain aspects of life. Respect for the disabled means to treat them kindly, offer them assistance and help, even before they ask it from us. The duties towards them include looking after them and assisting them with whatever they need, so that they are able to live as normal a life as possible, since beneath their skin, they are no different to the rest of us. One should realize that the disabled are as good as anyone else, and what they only need is a bit of extra consideration. You should not pity them to make them feel inferior. Rather, they should be treated as equals.

Respect to (and Duties Towards) Teachers

The respect towards a teacher is as very important. A person who teaches you is giving you something more valuable than any type of wealth, because knowledge is the greatest of all treasures. One should never insult or disobey a teacher, and should speak respectfully in his or her presence. All the Prophets and Aimmah were teachers and guides. Even your parents are your teachers because they spend so much time bringing you up. You should obey a teacher the way you obey your father and mother. It is respectful to stand in the presence of teachers and one should also remain silent while they are speaking. Make best use of your teachers, and ask them questions while they are still around. This applies to all your teachers, whether they are at Madrasah, school or elsewhere.

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Respect to (and Duties Towards) towards Children

Allah tells us in the Holy Qur'an: O you who are faithful, save your soul from burning in the fire of hell, the fuel of which will be stones and men, by refraining yourselves, as well as stopping your children, and other members of your families from committing sins. This shows that one of the first duties towards children is to teach them what is right and what is wrong. This must be done by setting an example. One of the duties of the parents to the children is to provide education. This is first, Islamic education, and then Secular education. This means that every child should have at least the basic principles of Islam taught to him/her, so that when he/she does acquire formal education it will know how to use the knowledge to serve Islam and the community. Prophet Muhammad (S) has said that we should treat our children fairly, love them, be kind to them, and fulfill our promises to them, since we are their sustainers, and they look toward us for help. The Prophet (S) was walking once, and he saw some children along the street. He immediately shook his head and said that he was sorry for the parents of the children of the Last Age. The people asked him, "Why, would they be non-believers?" The Prophet (S) said, "No, it would not be that, but the parents would be such that they would not give training to the children in religious education, but would be pleased to teach them worldly education. Such people are not from me, and I will not love them." One of the first responsibilities upon the parent is to give the child a good name. This is because the child will try and emulate those who they are named after, or try and follow the meaning behind their name. The child has three stages of life before he is ready to participate fully in the world of "grown ups". Each stage is for seven years: For the first 7 years of life, the child is the MASTER and should be allowed to enjoy and play, without responsibility. This does not mean that you let it do whatever it wants, but should give it freedom with the boundaries of Sharia. It should not be burdened with formal education, but should be taught by examples. For the next 7 years, the child is the SLAVE. This means that it should now be taught responsibility as well as the rules of Islam and worldly knowledge.
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This does not mean that the child should be oppressed, but the things that it was allowed to get away with during the first seven years should now be restricted. The final seven years are called the years of MINISTRY. This means that the child, or young adult should now start to work and help in the home. He should start to put back into the family that entire he took out when he was growing. Islam lays so much stress on being kind to children that the Prophet (S) said: A good act is written in the record of the virtuous deeds for one who gives a kiss to his child.

The following is part of a Dua written by Imam Sajjad (A) and can be found in Sahifa Kamila: One of his Duas for his Children O Lord, oblige me by sparing my children from death, by educating them for me and by blessing me with them. My God, prolong their lives for me. Increase their terms of existence for me. Bring up those tender years for me. Strengthen the weak one for me. Heal their bodies, faith and morals. Let them be safe in soul and body and in everything I am anxious about concerning them. Let their sustenance flow into my hand. Let them be virtuous, pious, able to see and hear, obedient to You, and lovers and well-wishers of Your friends and hostile to all Your enemies. O Lord, strengthen my arm with them and straighten with them my crookedness. Enlarge my number because of them. Adorn my society with them. Keep my memory alive by means of them. Make them care for my affairs in my absence. Help me with them to satisfy my need. Let them love me, be kind to me. And favourable, faithful, obedient, not disobedient, not wicked, nor adverse nor guilty. Help me in training them, educating them and in doing good to them. Grant me from You, male descendant from among them. Let this be a benefit to me. Let them be my helpers in whatever I ask of You. Protect me and my offspring from Shaytan, the stoned one. For verily You did create us and command us.
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Silatur Rahm
This means maintaining good relationship with near relatives. And be careful of your duty to Allah, by whom you demand one another your rights, and the ties of relationship, surely Allah ever watches over you. An Nisa (4): 1 Surely Allah enjoins the doing of justice, and the doing of good to (others), and the giving to kinsfolk (relations). An Nahl (16): 90 In these verses of the Holy Qur'an, Allah (SWT) draws the attention to our rights to one another and in particular our duty towards our near relatives. We are commanded to be generous and to maintain good relations with them. Silatur Rahm therefore requires us to be good and to show respect for our relatives who are close to our father and mother; to be helpful to them, particularly in times of need; and to maintain good relationship with them always. Silatur Rahm also means to help relatives overcome difficulties and hardships in their earnings perhaps by making the person independent, that is, by securing for him a job or initiating him into a trade or business. It can also be in the form of sound advice, spiritual guidance and religious teachings.

No Discrimination
It is generally observed that people tend to behave graciously towards their wealthy relatives and avoid the poor ones. The faith of Islam does not differentiate or discriminate between rich and poor relatives. What is important is the closeness of relationship. The more closely a person is related to you, the more important and necessary to fulfill his/her rights.

Benefits of Silatur Rahm

Imam Muhammad Baqir (A) said: Silatur Rahm is the cause of purification of our amaal (actions), it removes calamities, abundance of good and increase in rizq (sustenance). Silatur Rahm also ensures easy accounting of ones deeds on the Day of Judgment and it protects one from sudden death.
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Relationship with Neighbours

And (be good) to the neighbour who is your relative, and to the neighbour who is not your relative. An Nisa (4): 36) This verse teaches us to be good to our neighbours. It also tells us to be good to them whether they are our relatives or not. Islam expects great respect for mutual rights and duties towards our neighbors. Imam Zayn ul Abideen (A) has said: These are your duties towards your neighbour: Protect his interests when he is absent Show him respect when he is present Help him when he is afflicted with any injustice Do not remain on the look out to detect his faults If you get to know any faults about him, hide it from others Try to correct him Never leave him alone in any calamity Forgive him, if he has done anything wrong In short, live with him a noble life, based on the highest Islamic Ethical code.

We should also remember our neighbours on occasions such as Eid and send presents or sweets, which is one way of being courteous and considerate. Imam Ali (A) has said: By Allah (SWT)! Honor your neighbours, for surely the Prophet continued to say this until we thought that he might even give them the right to inherit from us. Thus we see how much importance Allah (SWT), the Prophet (S) and our Aimmah give to the right of honoring our neighbours. No other religion but Islam has emphasized such good neighborliness. One who goes to sleep well fed while his/her neighbour sleeps hungry, is not a Muslim.

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Affection towards Orphans

Orphans are children whose parents have died, and so they miss all the natural affection and love that parents provide, and may feel very depressed or deprived. It is Allah (SWT) who has implanted love and mercy in the hearts of parents towards their children, and that is why we see parents bear many hardships while bringing them up. For instance, recall the story of Lady Hajra and Prophet Ismail. Hence, whoever looks after orphans is required to love them, so that they dont lack the love and support of natural parents. There is a lot of reward in looking after the orphans. Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (A) has said: Whosoever puts an affectionate hand on the head of an orphan will be rewarded by Allah (SWT) with radiance (light) for every hair which will pass from below his head. The Holy Prophet (S) has said: If a person looks after an orphan and meets his/her expenses; s/he will be my companion in Jannah and will sit by my side. Just as there is reward in taking care of orphans, there is also punishment in hurting and mistreating them, or misusing their property. The Holy Quran instructs: As for those who swallow the property of the orphans unjustly, surely they only swallow fire into their bellies, and they shall enter burning fire. An Nisa (4): 10

Benefit of Helping Orphans

One day Prophet Isa was passing through a graveyard with his companions and when nearing one particular grave he started walking faster. When his companions inquired he said that the person in the grave was being punished and therefore he did not want to be near the grave. A year later on passing the same graveyard, the companions of Prophet Isa noticed that he was walking slowly cherishing each step when he walked past the same grave. They asked him about the change. Prophet Isa replied:
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The man has a son who has provided food and shelter to an orphan. Allah (SWT) has forgiven the sins of the father on that account. In his last will (after being struck by Ibn Muljim) Imam Ali (A) said: Fear Allah (SWT) when the question of orphans arises. You should never let them starve. So long as you are there to guard and protect them you should not let them be ruined or lost. The Prophet (S) always reminded us of this responsibility so much so that we often thought that the Prophet (S) might give them the share from our inheritance. Our 6th Imam (A) has said: One who maintains orphans, Allah (SWT) makes Paradise wajib upon him, in the same way as He makes Hell wajib upon those who usurp the property of the orphans.

Discussion
There have been many ongoing wars and disasters around the globe, leaving behind amongst the victims, numerous orphans. What is our duty towards them?

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Reconciling People
Reconciling people means to bring two people, or groups, back together after some incident has caused them to split or quarrel. It is the duty of every Muslim to try and make peace between two parties in disagreement, which are known to him. Allah (SWT) says in the Holy Qur'an: The believers are but a single Brotherhood, So make peace and reconciliation between your two (contending) brothers, And fear God, that you may receive mercy. Al Hujuraat (49): 10 If a person can make peace between two parties at no cost to himself, but does not, then he is held answerable for not taking action. If someone harms you, you may want to harm them back, BUT it is better on your part to show your Akhlaq, to set an example, and forgive. This is also explained to us in the Holy Quran: The recompense for an injury is an injury equal thereto (in degree), BUT if a person forgives and makes reconciliation, His reward is due from God, for (God) loves not those who do wrong. Ash Shura (42): 40 Imam Ali (A) further explains: Reconciliation between two parties is the best kind of charity. There is a limit to reconciliation. Although Islam is a peaceful religion, it is not idle. If there is someone who breaks the Sharia of Islam, and violates the rights of others, then this is against Haqq-un-naas, and for this, action should be taken. If two parties among the Believers fall into a quarrel make you peace between them. But if one of them transgresses beyond bounds against the other, then fight against the one that transgresses, until it complies with the command of God. And if it complies, then make peace between them with justice, and be fair, for God loves those who are fair (and just). Al Hujuraat (49): 9)

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What is the point of reconciliation?

The reason why we are told to bring people together is for unity. Islam is a universal religion, which brings together people regardless of physical differences. Only together can we survive, and prosper. If we let ourselves become divided, and quarrel against ourselves, then others will take advantage of this, and widen the divisions even more. Remember, the Prophet (S) said: One who does not take interest in the affairs of Muslims is not a Muslim.

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Service to Humanity
By nature, the human being is a social animal and has the ability to form and live in communities. But human beings have many qualities which distinguish them from other animals. They possess intelligence which enables them to tell between right and wrong. And the religion of Islam has a way of life designed in such a way that it brings together its followers under one faith, who interact and co-operate in all matters. It also has a system to guard their rights. Islam has also made man understand that he has a duty to his fellow human beings by being selfless and considerate. This spirit of consideration is the central force that binds the people together in a society. Human life without consideration is transformed into animal life, since every one is for himself, and it becomes survival of the fittest. If a person cannot use his abilities to help others, and to guide them, then that person is leading a useless life. The service to others has been emphasized again and again in Islam. The Holy Prophet (S) has said: The person who hears a Muslim calling for help, and does not respond to his call is not a Muslim. The reward offered for this service to humanity is so great, that few other deeds carry similar rewards. One who fulfils the needs of a fellow Muslim is like one who has been worshipping Allah (SWT) throughout his life. Our 5th Imam (A) has said: At times it so happens that a Muslim seeks help from another Muslim, and the latter, though inclined to help him, is not in a position to do so; Allah (SWT) will send him to Paradise for this very resolution. Perhaps the best advice on service to humanity comes from Imam Husayn (A) who explained to us: The requests which people make to you are blessings of Allah (SWT), so do not feel weary or uneasy. There are many places where we have a chance to perform services for others. There are ample opportunities in our day-to-day lives, and also on occasions such as Hajj. When we are in Hajj, we need to show that unparalleled service to others, which is all part of the holy experience. Even if people take you for granted, or they insult you, remember that your niyyah is purely for the sake of Allah (SWT).
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Qardh ul Hasanah
This means to give a loan to those who require aid. In Islam, it is every Muslims responsibility to preserve and safeguard Islamic unity. This sense of responsibility of keeping the Muslims united should be so strong that material goods should be put aside to fulfill it. If a person with his God-given ability became successful and has made a good and profitable business, then he should thank Allah (SWT) for the opportunities, which made him successful. This thanks should not be just in the form of prayers or in words, but in action. The best way to thank Allah (SWT) is by performing something that helps other human beings, because Allah (SWT) is above any needs. Allah (SWT) has explained this concept of lending money to those who require it as a loan to Allah (SWT) Himself. Allah (SWT) declares: Who is he that will lend to God a fair loan so that He will multiply it to him manifold? Al Baqarah (2): 245 We should know that any loan, which is lent to Allah (SWT), will be paid back manifold (many times). Allah (SWT) also says in the Holy Qur'an: If you lend to God a goodly loan, He will double (multiply) it for you, and will forgive you; and God is Most Appreciating, Forbearing. At Taghaboon (64): 17 Since Allah (SWT) has given you opportunities to be successful, you should go out of your way to provide opportunities for others. If someone comes to you and asks you for financial or other help, it becomes your duty to help him. You should lend him the required amount if you have the means, and give him further assistance. However, this duty is mutual. The facility of Qardh - ul - Hasanah has been provided by Islam so that the community as a whole, can develop and prosper, and at the same time become more united. Thus, the one who borrows the money should have the intention to pay it back as quickly as he possibly can, and should not delay. If he misuses the facility, then he is taking advantage of the system, and will cause difficulties for others.
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What is the concept behind such loan?

There is a saying that a man will manage to find sleep at night even though a relative may have died the previous day, but the day he has lost his money, he will never sleep. This highlights particular vices which exist in a man's heart: greed and selfishness. If a man is able to lend a substantial amount of money, without any profit in return for himself, then he has conquered both these vices. - He has conquered the SELFISHNESS by letting the money out of his hands, to give others the chance of becoming successful. - He has also conquered the GREED because he knows he will earn no profit on the money, because to charge interest is haraam. We must always help our community and people at large. If we stop and ponder for a moment, that sooner or later every person shall die, and thereafter he can not add anything to his Book of Deeds through actions. BUT if s/he leaves behind people who will remember him/her for helping them, the person will still gain blessings. On the other hand, if the only memory that people have is of the persons meanness, then on the Day of Judgment, what will be the use of all his/her wealth and riches? Riches and wealth vanish away, but good deeds attained through correct use of wealth will always remain.

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Husnu Dhann &

Su'u Dhann

These two concepts are antonyms (opposites) and refer to the opinions you may have about others. Husnu Dhann means to have a good opinion about other people while Suu Dhann means to have a bad opinion about other people. Husnu Dhann requires us not to assume the worst about others, and not to suspect their actions. For instance: If you see a Muslim male talking to a girl who is Na-Mahram, then Husnu Dhann would make us assume that they must be working together, or they are simply greeting each other, since they may have studied together, or traveled together, etc. All the above involve positive thoughts which reflects Husnu Dhann. On the other hand if you were to assume that he is on a date, or is of loose morals, then you have performed Suu Dhann and have already dented his reputation in your eyes. If you go on to tell others your opinion, you shall be indulging in Tohmah and this rumour could lead to Fitna. You should always give benefit to the doubt. Even if such suspicions turn out to be true, who are you to spread and expose other peoples' faults, when Allah (SWT) has covered yours? Suu Dhann is a habit that can lead to other greater sins. It also leads to bitterness within the community, neighbours or workplaces, and people will not trust a person of such character. When a person comes forth and donates a few hundred thousand shillings to a charity, one can think in two ways: Either: I can think that the person has pride, and is just showing off his money Suu Dhann. Or: I can think that the person is sincere, and is setting an example for others to follow - Husnu Dhann. The Holy Quran explains why we must avoid suspicion: Avoid suspicion as much (as possible), for suspicion in some cases is a sin. Al Hujuraat (49): 12
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People who are narrow minded, do not want to do good themselves, and they do not want others to do it. They try and tarnish the names and reputation of people, in every opportunity. This is the consequence of Suu Dhann. Allah (SWT) will show His Anger to those who accuse others falsely. During the time of Prophet Saleh, he was accused falsely, and he prayed to Allah (SWT) for help. The verses below explain what happened. (The prophet) said: O my Lord! Help me, for that they accuse me of falsehood. (God) said: In but a little while, they are sure to be sorry! Then the Blast overtook them with justice; and We made them as rubbish of dead leaves (floating on the stream of Time)! So away with the people who do wrong! Al Muminoon (23): 39 - 41 In conclusion, always give others the benefit of doubt. Even if you know for sure that they have done something wrong, do not tell others. If Allah (SWT) can keep our secrets, we should also try and keep the secrets of others. If you really want to change something, try and approach the person, and convince them that what they are doing is wrong. If you think that might fail, then talk to someone whom you think will be able to help. This is the concept of Amr bil Maroof and Nahy anil Munkar (Enjoining towards Good, and Persuading against Evil).

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Kadhmul Ghaidh
Kadhmul Ghaidh means to swallow ones anger, and to forgive others. It is similar to Forbearance but refers specifically to when you have been wronged. It is one of the most commendable acts in Islam. There is a saying in English to "bury the hatchet", this means that instead of trying to take revenge, just bury all the hurt endured, and put it out of your mind. There is also another saying to "forgive and forget" which has a similar meaning. This does not mean that you let people take you for granted and ill-treat you, and then you forgive them! It applies to those upon whom you have power over, or those who repent, or those who have committed the deed without intention. Anger is a bitter pill to swallow, and is only managed with a strong will power. This can be seen by the following sayings of the Prophet (S): The strongest of you is he who overpowers himself when enraged, and the most forbearing of you is the one who forgives when having overpowered his enemy. Do you consider that intense strength is being able to lift (a heavy) stone, in fact, it is in overpowering oneself when filled with anger. Verily anger is from Shaytan and the Shaytan is created from fire. And the fire is but extinguished with water. Therefore whenever one is overtaken with anger, he should perform Wudhu. Wudhu has a calming effect on the body, and cools it down. It also makes us remember Allah (SWT), so we can gain control over our self again. Imam Ali (A) has said: Should any of you be faced with anger, he should sit down if standing, and should lie down if sitting. All of us have committed a sin at some point in our lives, something that might have been worthy of punishment. But if Allah (SWT) can forgive us with His infinite Mercy, then what right do we have to be angry at others, especially when they are regretful?

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In Hadith al Qudsi: Almighty Allah (SWT) had said, Oh the son of Adam! Remember Me when in anger so that I remember you when you deserve My Wrath and do not destroy you. We are also told in the Holy Qur'an: Be quick in the race for forgiveness from your Lord, for a garden whose width is that of the heavens and of the earth, is prepared for the righteous. Those who spend (freely), whether in prosperity, or in adversity; Who restrain anger, and pardon (all) men; for God loves those who do good. Aali Imraan (3): 133 Imam Musa al-Kadhim (A) was given the title Al-Kadhim for this reason. He is the ideal example of one who swallowed his anger. He was treated despicably and imprisoned by the oppressors right up to his martyrdom, but he restrained his anger and bore the torture and afflictions with patience.

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Class 9

Abusive Language, Insults, Sarcasm & Impertinence

To use abusive language means to swear at, or insult someone. Despite this being obviously wrong, it is surprisingly a common habit, especially amongst the youth. Most people swear when something bad happens to them, or when someone does something that they don't like. These people claim that swearing helps them to control their anger, and stops them from doing other things, which may be worse. This argument may sound logical, but Islam rejects it because a person who can not restrain his anger, without using foul language must have a very weak will power. The noblest person according to Islamic etiquette is the one who can control his anger, and even manages to look undisturbed. To resort to swearing as a means of insulting someone is unjustified under any circumstances. Islam teaches us never to insult. If someone has wronged us, we should either take have a courteous reaction, or tell them that we do not like what they said or did and try and sort out the issue considerately. But to insult them is to stoop low, and Islam does not accept that a person become so undignified. To be sarcastic to others, and tease them also shows that part of a person's character is faulty. It may only feel like a joke, but think for a moment. Pretend that you were in their place. Would you like someone calling you names all the time, making life miserable for you? Would you like someone laughing when you fell down, or someone telling tales about you? Would you like people making fun of your family, or the colour of your skin, or at the way you behave? Below are sayings by Imam Ali (A) warning us about the danger of the tongue. Ponder of their meaning: Nothing else needs to be restrained and kept under control but the tongue. Whosoever desires to remain safe should guard against what comes out of his tongue. Woe be upon you! People will be with their noses prostrated in hell fire because of what they had reaped out of (misuse) of their tongues. The one from whose tongue people are afraid of, is from the inmates of hell fire.
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The above sayings give you an example of the dangers of verbal abuse, and giving disrespectful answers to people who are speaking to you. If someone is talking to you, whether he is telling you off or not, you should never be rude in your replies. If you are innocent then explain yourself, but to rudely reply a parent or a teacher in such a manner is an inexcusable example of bad akhlaq. The respect which parents and teachers command over you is very great, and you are not supposed to even show them a sign of displeasure, let alone answer back to their face. Impertinence just portrays that you have a poor character. It may make you feel good for a while, but at the end of the day, you will have lost all your respect in front of your elders.

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Rebelliousness
It means disobedience or defiance of a law or an act; that is, not agreeing to accept a condition and fighting back. It is a form of arrogance, and is also a fatal vice. It is defined as rebelling against all those upon whom it is necessary to be obedient, such as the Prophets and their Vicegerents, Righteous Government, Teachers, Parents, etc. In a tradition by the Prophet (S), he says: The sin quickest to be punished is that of rebelliousness. The Prophet (S) has also said: It is the right of Allah (SWT) to humble anything that rebels against anything else. To go against things that we have no knowledge of, is a sign of pride and arrogance. Islam is a religion of submission and many times a Muslim needs to submit without questioning. Rebelliousness is a trait of Shaytan and it cost him years and years of his ibadat. Imam Ali (A) has said, Rebelliousness drives the rebellious towards the fire. The vice of rebelliousness can be overcome by: Reflecting upon ones own spiritual condition, and At the same time strive to become humble Referring to traditions regarding rightful obedience and follow them ardently. Though it is not easy, and may take time to change, but one should never lose hope and ask for Allahs (SWT) help to overcome the vice of rebelliousness.

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Ikhlaas
This means to be sincere and honest in all respects. To be sincere means to be genuine in what you say or do; to really feel for something with your heart. Although this sounds very easy, it is one of the most difficult tasks ever set before us. Ask yourself, How sincere am I when I offer my prayers?

Why is it difficult to be sincere?

When Allah (SWT) created man, the angels were unaware of Allahs (SWT) plan for his best creature. The angels have intellect, but no desire, therefore they have no test upon them. They do what they are told, they have no will of their own. They can think, but there is nothing telling them to disobey Allahs (SWT) command. Allah (SWT) created man and gave him a sense of balance. In this universe, where everything has an opposite such as light and dark, good and bad, etc. Allah (SWT) gave man a conscious which is divinely inspired to distinguish between good and bad. Though Shaytan whispers evil ideas and thoughts into our hearts and minds, if one has Taqwa, and tries very hard to keep away from sins, then Shaytan fails and the person wins. With continuous Taqwa, Allah (SWT) grants the Muttaqeen a higher quality called Furqan which is the ability to judge between the opposites. Conversely, if one is sinful, then the nafs develops a bias towards evil, as it gets clouded without Taqwa. Shaytan had asked Allah (SWT) to give him freedom until the Day of Judgment. Allah (SWT) agreed and Shaytan said that he will guide human beings away from Him. Hence Shaytan is there waiting for us, his voice starts its whispering. He distracts us by praising us, and telling us how great we are and gradually brings pride in us. So if we are not careful, he catches us off guard and though we perform wajibat and good deeds, we loose all sincerity in our actions. This pride makes us change our intentions. For example, when we perform Salat, it should only be for the sake of gaining nearness to Allah (SWT). We should be sincere.

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We should not rush through our prayers, especially in the morning just so that we return to our bed. We should think for a while, that we are thanking the One who gave us life. Put your hand on your chest, feel your heart beat and remember the Force, which caused it into motion. That is the Force we are worshipping. As you are trying to concentrate, this voice starts whispering, telling you how warm your bed is, how tired you are Such a situation is like a test. Are you giving in to the whisper or do you fight back and perform your salah properly and continue to recite supplications etc. Similarly, when we are in public, our niyyah is under attack by this same voice. Instead of telling you to pray fast (as it did earlier), it will now tell you to pray slowly, so that others can see what a pious person you are. Indeed, Shaytan tries his best to disrupt our sincere intentions. The secret of keeping your niyyah sincere is to make every action honest and for the pleasure of Allah (SWT). This will work both ways, because Allah (SWT) has told us that when we remember Him, He will also remember us: Therefore remember Me, I will remember you, and be thankful to Me, and do not be ungrateful to Me. Al Baqarah (2): 152 By being sincere in our actions, we will receive inner strength from Allah (SWT), a new perspective of looking at things, which is superior to the gaze blinded by worldly possessions. We will recognize the purpose in our life, and achieve contentment and harmony where we shall find ourselves at peace with everything around us. Once we overcome that whisper, then our ears will only receive true guidance. It takes a little bit of an effort, but the reward is beyond imagination!

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Leading a Moral Life

The word moral means to be ethical, honest, decent, honourable, etc. Therefore a Moral Life is concerned with understanding the distinction between right and wrong. Islam is a religion, which is sent as a gift from Allah (SWT) to mankind, to bring all people together in peace and harmony. This can only be done if the morals of the community are pure. Therefore, in order to have a peaceful life, Islam has given man a set of social values (morals) so that each individual, and thus the whole community can build up an honorable character.

How are we to lead a moral life?

Each of us has a responsibility towards each other, to maintain justice and to respect the rights of the other. In the Holy Qur'an, Allah (SWT) clearly explains to us certain ways of behaving: O you who believe! Let not people laugh at one another, nor let women (laugh) at (other) women, perchance they may be better than they; And do not find fault with your own people. nor call one another by nicknames; O you who believe! Avoid most of suspicion, for surely suspicion in some cases is a sin, And do not spy nor let some of you backbite others. Al Hujuraat (49): 11-12 Here is an example of Akrama bin Abu Jahl: This gentleman was a pious and pure Muslim, yet some unwise people used to taunt him referring to him as the son of Abu Jahl, the uncle of Holy Prophet (S) who harassed the Prophet (S) and died an unbeliever. A Muslims honour is his faith and religion, regardless of what his father was. Akrama was a person of honour and respect on the basis of his staunch and true belief. Hence, all those who gave him such titles have certainly sinned.

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Let us see how the Aimmah treated people: On one occasion, Imam Hasan (A) passed by a group of poor people who were eating dry pieces of bread. The Imam greeted them and they responded. The Imam then alighted from his horse, sat on the ground with them. He did not belittle these poor people but sat with them and also invited them to his house for a feast. Allah (SWT) has kept 3 things hidden amidst 3 other things: First, He has kept His Friends hidden among the people. So that no one may degrade another or look at them with contempt, as there is a possibility of the other being one of the friends of Allah (SWT). Second, He has concealed His anger in sins. There are some sins, which draw Gods Wrath, and one may not get a chance to repent. This is so that the people may fear all sins, and try their best to keep away from every type of sin. Third, among the Ibadah, there are some acts which if performed will give one guaranteed salvation. This is so that the believers are motivated to perform all acts as that may bring them the salvation. It is narrated that two of the Prophets (S) wives, Ayesha and Hafsa once pointed towards Umm Salma, indicating through gestures what a short stature she had. This was to humiliate her. They also said that Umm Salma had put on a long dress; and that her clothing dragged on the ground behind her when she walked. This extremely angered the Holy Prophet (S) and he admonished both of them. Keep in mind that anything that annoys the Prophet (S) has also made Allah (SWT) angry. Always remember that it is very possible that the one whom you mocked is better than you in the sight of God. Your imagination is not the criterion for measuring peoples status. In summary Allah (SWT) has issued these commands: 1st It is unlawful for a Muslim to belittle any other Muslim (or others), to look at him with contempt or to consider him lower.

2nd To disgrace others is to disgrace oneself, as you have revealed your identity of fault finding with others. 3rd All human beings have the same grandparents that is Adam and Hawwa, and are to meet the same Lord, hence all are equal.

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Class 9

Forbearance
The Arabic word for forbearance is Hilm which means to have patience and tolerance. In life, there shall always be times when problems arise and difficulties mount up. When such problems occur, a person can either: a. Try his best to tackle the problem and put it behind him, or b. Sit and complain, and wait for the problem to disappear itself. If the person tries to solve the problem, that is positive action, and he will have the chance of success. However, if his attitude is negative, the problem will remain, and the person will keep feeling sorry for himself. Allah (SWT) only helps those who help themselves, so if a person complains to Him, and says, Why does it have to be me? then his faith is very weak. This is because, when a misfortune falls upon us, Allah (SWT) is testing us. It is like being in a competition. If a person claims that they can break the world record, do you think people will say Congratulations, here is the Gold Medal! Of course not! They will test him to see if he can really do what he says. The Prophet (S) has said: Let your wailing not cancel your reward. Were you to witness the reward of your misfortune, you would have come to know that it is smaller than the greatness of the reward of which Allah (SWT) has promised for the people who submit (to His will) and bear (misfortunes) with patience. Thus forbearance, after doing your best in trying to help yourself, is an act of faith. If we forbear and have patience during our difficulty, we have passed the test, and are promised comfort because Allah (SWT) says in the Holy Qur'an: Verily, with every difficulty there is relief. Al Inshirah (94): 6 Forbearance is not only needed when calamity befalls you, but also when you have been wronged. It is not easy to forgive such a person, especially when you are in a position to avenge. To forbear in these circumstances requires a strong will power. The Holy Prophet (S) motivates us saying: The strongest of you is he who overpowers himself when enraged and the most forbearing of you is the one who forgives when having overpowered his enemy.
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Fitna & Fasaad

This means to spread rumours, and tell lies about people, with the niyyah (intention) of damaging their reputation. It is like backbiting, except that the rumours are totally unjustified and untrue. Another word for fitna and fasaad can be Slander. Imam Hasan (A) has said: If a person comes to you and speaks ill of someone else, you should know that he is actually speaking ill of you. It is worthwhile to regard such a person as your enemy, and not to trust him, for lying, backbiting, trickery, deceit, jealousy, hypocrisy, duplicity, and creating dissension go hand in hand with slander" Imam Ali (A) has said: The worst of you are those who slander and create discord among friends. They will find fault even with the innocent. Slandering is haraam because it damages someone's reputation; it is unfair on the one who is being slandered, because people will think he has performed things, which in fact he has not. Slandering breaks up the community, and causes enmity and hatred. It is one of the worst sins, and goes hand in hand with gheebah and other social crimes. As you grow you reach a stage when you become more involved in the community. You will meet people who disagree with your ideas, you will find people whom you dislike (for some reasons). Ensure that all these situations do not lead you to commit fitna and fasaad. If someone is doing something that you think is not according to Sharia, then use appropriate channels to put a stop but do not spread rumours. Many families have broken up and communities have split because of this sin. The only people who slander are cowards, if they see someone with whom people are good, they become jealous and want to tarnish his/her reputation. They do not have the courage to face that person, and so go around like slithering snakes, and whisper rumours in the dark.

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Treachery
It means to betray somebody. If you make a promise to help someone, then just when they need you, you let them down, this is an example of treachery. During the time of Imam Hasan (A), Muawiya came to Ju'da, the wife of the Imam, and offered her 100,000 Dirhams as well as the hand of his son Yazid, in marriage, if she would poison the Imam (A). Ju'da pretended to be loyal to Imam, after all she was his wife. She offered Imam (A) a drink in which she had already added the poison. Imam (A) accepted and drank. After few days Imam Hasan (A) died from the poison, and Ju'da went to Muawiya to collect her payment. She received the money but Muawiya did not let her marry Yazid, since if she could betray one husband (like the 2nd Imam, who was so tolerant) she could easily be disloyal to another. Treachery is haraam because when someone depends on you, or believes in you, you are responsible for his well-being. Now, to turn around and do him harm when he doesn't expect it is to take advantage of him, and this is truly disgraceful. There is a saying in English that treachery is like stabbing someone in the back. The opposite of treachery is Trustworthiness and we must try very hard to inculcate this attribute in ourselves.

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Betraying Secrets
Secrets are affairs that a person would rather not disclose to others, due to embarrassment, shame, guilt or other similar reasons. Every human being possesses their own secrets. Hence, when someone discloses a secret, they have trusted you with something very important. The Holy Prophet (S) has said that: He who keeps no pledge (word of honour) has no religion. In the Holy Qur'an Allah (SWT) says: O you who believe! Betray not the trust of God and the apostle, nor misappropriate knowingly things entrusted to you. Al Anfaal (8): 27 A secret is something which has been entrusted to you (Amanat), and you do not have any right to disclose it to anyone else. The Holy Prophet (S) has said: Four things when allowed to enter a house become the cause of spoiling and depriving it of prosperity, and one of those four things is the breach of trust. He also said: A hypocrite is recognized by three signs: o He lies when he talks o He breaks promises o He betrays when trusted If someone reveals a secret to you, and you feel that by telling someone else, you may be able to help him, what should you do? In this case, it is not a sin to share the other person's secret, as long as you do not reveal his identity, and that you sincerely feel that it is for his own good.

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Class 9

Takkabur, Riyaa & Ujb

Takkabur means to think of oneself as better than someone else, and to have the feeling of pride. Riyaa means to show off. Ujb means to be self-conceited, that is, to like oneself too much. These three topics are all related and deal with one aspect, a person's ego. A person's ego is the way he thinks about himself. As soon as we achieve something good, or as soon as we are praised, a feeling of joy reaches us, if we are not careful, this feeling can soon turn to pride. Our Holy Prophet (S) has said: Pride enters the heart like a black ant crawling over a black rock at night. Pride is known as one of the diseases of the soul. It is caused by a lack of belief in God. When you become proud, you feel that you have accomplished all your deeds by yourself, you forget that Allah (SWT) was the one who guided you. Whenever we ever achieve anything good, we should be pleased, but there is an important point to note; we should be pleased by the results of what we have achieved, not by the fact that we have achieved it. However, our nafs starts whispering to our hearts that we have done something great and it tells us how wonderful we are, and carries on praising us. This causes us to start showing our greatness to others (Riyaa), to show them what brilliant individuals we are. How many times have we come across an individual and we remark, He is such a show-off!

What Is Wrong With Pride?

Apart from isolating yourself from others because you think yourself superior, pride is also bad for you on an intellectual level. If you become proud of what you know, or have done, you will think yourself as being one of the greatest; therefore you will not try to improve. However, if you think that you have plenty of room for improvement, you will try harder and harder until you achieve better results. It is reported that once Prophet Musa while preaching to his people wondered if there was another man who had more knowledge than him.

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Immediately, Allah (SWT) commanded Jibrail to go to Musa and inform him that there was one individual who was more learned than him. Prophet Musa was then told to go and seek Prophet Khizr, who was alive and earn some more knowledge from him. Prophet Musa was thus saved from pride. Pride was the very reason that Iblis was removed from Allahs (SWT) Mercy, and is a lesson to all of us who become proud. In Islam we are told that no man is better than another. There is nothing wrong with being successful, or being a leader of others. The only point to remember is that greatness is a test to see how we deal with it, as long as we are aware that it was with Allahs (SWT) help that we reached that stage, and realize that we are not superior to our fellows, then we shall pass the test. Our 4th Imam (A) supplicates in Sahifa Kamila: O Lord, do not honour me even one degree among the people unless You lower me to an equal amount in my own soul. Create for me no outward respect unless You have created for me an equal amount of humiliation in my spirit. The opposite of arrogance is humility. Does it mean sitting on a prayer mat and reciting all the time? No, it does not. Imam Ali (A) has said: From the signs of humility: is to be content with any place in an assembly, is to salute one another when you meet, is to abandon quarrels and discord even if you were on the right, and not to expect praise for your fear of Allah (SWT).

Why Should We Abandon Pride And Try To Be Humble?

By being humble, we are showing to the world that: o Allah (SWT) has created all men equal, whether they are black, brown, white or yellow. o The only person who is greater in the eyes of Allah (SWT) is the person who has Taqwa.

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The Holy Prophet (S) has said: Indeed, humility exalts a man's position with Allah (SWT). Thus be humble and Allah (SWT) will shower you with mercy. If a person does not become aware of his shortcomings and faults, and actually starts thinking and believing that s/he is superior to the rest, then s/he has reached a stage called Ujb which refers to self-conceit. This is when you have too high an opinion of your own athletic ability, beauty, knowledge, talent, etc. It is at this stage that you start spending too much time in admiring yourself in front of the mirror, as well as in your own mind. When a person reaches such a stage that he thinks that there is no one like him, then he is lost. He has built a wall around himself and is totally cut off from the outside world. He is living in his own dream world. The way to cure this spiritual disease is to contemplate, become aware and then adopt humbleness, and seek forgiveness for our past attitude.

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Wearing of Gold by Men

An ornament is something that is worn for beautifying oneself such as a chain, a ring, a necklace, a bracelet, etc. It is haraam for a man to wear any golden ornament. It is however allowed having a gold tooth or filling. Note: Gold is only forbidden for men. Women are allowed to wear golden jewelry and ornaments. One of the reasons Islam forbids the wearing of gold by men is because gold is often looked upon as something feminine. Islam does not approve of a male adorning himself with luxuries such as gold and silk. This is because Islam does not approve of a man becoming attached to luxuries and riches. He should be strong and firm and should work hard to provide for his family and those who depend on him. If he is well off, he does not need to show off his wealth and luxuries. The reason why gold teeth and fillings are allowed is because gold is the least reactive metal. This means when you eat food, it does not matter what you eat, the tooth/filling will remain unharmed, and will not react with your food.

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Tawakkal Alallah
This means to have Reliance and Trust upon Allah (SWT). The Holy Qur'an says: Then when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah (SWT); surely Allah (SWT) loves those who trust. Aali Imraan (3): 159 Those who believe in the Oneness of Allah (SWT) should rely solely upon the Almighty for all their affairs. Even if all avenues for ones success are open, one will not attain success if Allahs (SWT) Will is contrary to it. On the other hand if all the ways to success are closed he will definitely succeed if Allah (SWT) Wills. Allah (SWT) is All Powerful; so, all our affairs can be entrusted to His Care, as He is the best of guardians. If we receive any help from someone or some other means, we must be thankful for these, but we should not consider them as independent of Allah (SWT). In fact these are agents through whom He is causing His Mercy to reach us. We should never solely rely on people, as they have their weaknesses and limitations, and so they may not always be helpful and available to fulfill and guarantee our requirements. Tawakkal, that is, trust in Allah (SWT), does not mean inactivity and making no effort. It requires us to do the best one can and then leaving the rest to Allahs (SWT) Merciful Decision. Tawakkal is attained through the piety and strong faith. Obviously when one remembers Allah (SWT) in every action, and relies upon Him alone for help, he will attain spiritual strength and a sense of security. Our 6th Imam has explained that making statements such as these ones below, is a form of shirk: If so and so had not been there I would have been destroyed If so and so would not have been there I would have not got that thing If so and so had not been there my children would have suffered The Holy Prophet (S) has said: Whoever likes to become the strongest of the people, let him place his trust in Allah (SWT).
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Bulugh
Becoming baligh means reaching the stage of puberty. When Allah (SWT) created the human being, he created it in a way so that it grows up in stages. It is totally dependant when it is born, then as it grows it gains knowledge, it learns the ways of the world. Then it reaches a stage where it has been taught how to live, and knows what to respect. It has been taught what is right and what is wrong. It is now ready to take on the responsibility of being an adult. It is no more a child, nor has it reached adulthood. This stage, when a child is growing into an adult, is known as bulugh or adolescence. Baligh does not just mean attaining puberty, it also refers to responsibility; it is a combination of becoming an adult, both physically and mentally.

What are the signs of becoming baligh?

There are three signs (for males), any ONE of which can confirm whether the person is baligh or not. 1. If the boy has reached the age of 15 (lunar years) or 14 years in the solar calendar, then he should be considered as baligh, whether or not he has experienced the next two signs. Growing of hard hairs around the private parts. Soft hairs are not considered as signs of becoming baligh. If there is occurrence of a "wet dream." This means that during the boys sleep, there has been a discharge of thick liquid, which is not urine. This liquid is called semen, and it is recognized by its milky colour, and strong smell.

2. 3.

It is important to realize, that a person MUST perform Ghusl of Janabat when semen is discharged, whether it is a voluntary discharge or not. Without this Ghusl, the person will be in a state of impurity (Janabah), and will not be able to offer any prayers or fasts. If the person is not sure whether he is baligh or not, then he has to wait until he is sure, or one of the other signs take place.

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What does becoming baligh mean?

The first point to understand is that becoming baligh is natural. You are not the only one. All boys go through this stage somewhere between the ages of 13 - 15. When we attain bulugh, it becomes WAJIB to perform all the actions that are laid down by Islam, and HARAAM to do the things that Islam forbids. This means that Salat, Sawm, Hajj, Khums, etc. now become obligatory. The next thing to realize is that when you become baligh, the body goes through physical changes; you are changing at a tremendous rate. All your glands are actively creating chemicals which flow through your blood, your liver is like a chemical factory, and your body cells are all working overtime. These chemicals are sending messages to your body cells, instructing them to grow at a faster pace. Your body will begin to change. Your muscles will become stronger; you will have hair growing around your face, all over your body, at the abdomen, around the private parts, and under the arms. Your body is becoming more masculine. Another important point about becoming baligh is that your nafs will now start trying to misguide you using your desires. When you are baligh, any indecent pictures will cause you to become aroused. This is why we should keep away from such magazines or TV programmes. To have sexual relations is a natural part of any human society, but only within the boundaries of marriage. Desire must be controlled, because if it is let free, it becomes lust, which is a powerful force and can easily control a person's actions. If we let ourselves be controlled by our desire, then we will ruin our soul. Our mind will become a slave to lust, and our life shall be ruined. We must therefore be responsible because certain things will cause us to lose control of our desire such as: watching TV programmes with indecent scenes, reading books and magazines which cause arousal, attending discos or wild parties. All these things can lead us towards the path of lust, which is the path of Shaytan, and thus should be strictly avoided.

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