The foremost (primary) and the endmost (final) purpose for a seeker of knowledge and a seeker of truth is attaining Allah’s pleasure. That is why all the work of a seeker of truth is considered divine. In the world the people who seek the worldly things their purposes is temporary and limited. The purpose of those who (do not) seek the world is everlasting and permanent. Yet, how will we determine whether the purpose of our life is Allah’s pleasure and favour or if we are working for material and worldly gains.
The first way to recognize this is that if our purpose is the pleasure of Allah, then, in all of our various tasks, we will always pay attention to and endeavour (attempt) to purify the self of base characteristics. If a person calls himself a seeker of knowledge and a seeker of truth, but does not make any effort toward purifying (clearing) the self, then that person’s purpose is undoubtedly worldly. He will be a reason for the defamation (destroying some bodies reputation) of Islam and religion.
One should always be attentive toward the Purpose and the Means
The Holy Koran has drawn our attention toward a very important topic. This topic is seeking refuge (isti’aza). It is stated,
“So when you recite the Koran, seek refuge with Allah from the accursed Shaitan” (An-Nahl:98).
Reading the Koran is a religious act; yet, those who work for divine purposes need to seek refuge in Allah at all times. Hence, when you set foot in the mosque recite “I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Shaitan.” Satan does not have the need to misguide those who are his agents; rather, he makes stronger attacks upon those who do good works for Allah.
A Tale
A person saw in a dream that in Satan’s hands were several ropes. Among them one was very thick. He asked Satan, “What are these ropes for?” Satan replied that by means of these ropes I lead Allah’s good servants astray from the Right Path. I brought this thick rope to tie around your teacher’s neck, but he broke the rope and saved himself. The person asked, “Which rope is for me?” Satan answered, “A rope is not needed for you. You are already my servant. A hint is enough for you.” When he mentioned this (dream) to his teacher, the teacher said, “That was Satan. He had hung a thick rope around my neck. Yesterday there was no flour for cooking in my house. I had someone’s deposit with me and Satan tempted me to give this deposit to the shopkeeper for a few days and buy flour. I went to the market, but suddenly the fear of Allah entered my heart; consequently, I broke of Satan’s rope.
How Satan misleads Seekers
of Knowledge and Seekers of Truth
Satan’s most dangerous and unsuspecting way of misguiding is that Satan changes the sources into goal, means makes to be his means for attaining the pleasure of Allah into a goal, creating a barrier for reaching the real goal.
For example, someone’s purpose is to reach a certain city, but the river is a barrier before him. There is no other way to reach this city; thus, the only solution is to build a boat and reach his goal by means of building that boat. Nevertheless, after he builds the boat, someone comes and offers a great amount (of money) and wants to buy the boat. Becoming greedy for the money, that person sells the boat. Hence, his purpose is building and selling boats. If man forgets his true purpose then his behaviour is (like) building and selling boats. Similarly, for a seeker of knowledge and a seeker of truth, acquiring knowledge, raising an Islamic revolution, making people aware of divine politics by entering the field of politics, or building schools all these things are means in order to reach one purpose, which is Allah’s pleasure and the favour of Muhammad and the Progeny of Muhammad (peace be upon them). Yet, Satan misguides such that he who had made knowledge a means to attain Allah’s pleasure spends his whole life attaining knowledge. He does not think that after all this knowledge how much I have increased in me the love and recognition of Allah. On the contrary, like the boat-builder, he is only worried about increasing his knowledge. Therefore, knowledge did not remain a means, but became a purpose. If any means for reaching Allah becomes a purpose then that becomes the thing that distances one the most from Allah. Thus, it is in traditions about such knowledge, “Knowledge is the greatest veil.” Such knowledge is the greatest veil or barrier between Allah and His servant.
Seekers of knowledge and seekers of truth should always remain attentive toward this is he going toward his purpose through his means or is the means acting as a god and barrier for him. Remember that school, mosque, striving (jihad) for an Islamic revolution, endeavouring (trying) for a divine government, teaching the principles of divine politics by entering politics all these are means. If due to them we abandon an obligatory deed, commit a forbidden act, or perform discouraged acts; for example, missing the time for Dawn Prayer, tolerating unveiling or immodesty (shameless), or supporting such oppressors who deny retaliation (qasas), a fundamental principle of Islam. If one denies a system of the Koran, then surely this means has become a goal for him. If the means become a goal, then it is considered an idol. Every such thing is considered a god which stops man from reaching Allah’s pleasure. Nevertheless, it is Satan’s powerful deception (trick) that the things numerous people made their means to reach Allah became gods for them.
An example is that a mosque or school was built for Allah’s pleasure, but, by means of this school or mosque, Satan distanced some people form Allah. Now if someone is giving charity to your school and after few months he starts giving charity to another school and you are not pleased by his action then it is proved than that the school is an idol for you and not for the pleasure of God. In both school people are being given Islamic education. Thus it has being proved that the school was not build for the pleasure of God rather for I'ness.
3. (Where are 1 & 2) For seekers of knowledge and seekers of truth, praying to Allah secretly is the most important means for reaching their purpose. If a seeker of knowledge or a seeker of truth is called spiritual (divine) in some places, but if that seeker of knowledge does not develop spirituality (divinity) within him, then in a way this amounts to deceiving the public. It is essential for a seeker of knowledge to read the numerous supplications and prayers of the Infallible Imams at least once. In addition, he should select from among them some supplications which match his temperament (outlook) and disposition (nature), making them a part of his life.
Many matters and difficulties in the world are solved by these supplications. In truth, a seeker of knowledge and a seeker of truth jumps into the ocean of difficulties for, those who correct themselves and correct the Muslim nation face numerous difficulties. To solve these difficulties, the Apostle of Allah has stated, “Supplication (du’a) is the weapon of the believer.”
There are some base characteristics that are not even eliminated by striving (jihad); however, these characteristics can be eliminated through supplicat- ion (du’a) and unseen help.
4. When preaching Islam, a seeker of knowledge and a seeker of truth should always consider himself blameworthy (responsible). Many times Satan makes the people who preach despair (hopelessness) that these people will not believe the truth, or that these people do not have the virtue to accept guidance. If such thoughts occur in the mind of a seeker of knowledge, he should immediately banish (expel) them from his mind. Instead of blaming others in the propagation of Islam, man should always consider himself blameworthy. Such that there is deficiency in my preaching; there is defect in my explanation; I do not possess inner piety (devotion); I use empty words; thus, they do not have an effect. Saying such is the real tradition (Sunnah) of the Prophet. In his Forty Traditions, Imam Khomeini states from his teacher Ayatollah Shah Abadi about the commentary of the following verse,
"Ta Ha.
We have not revealed the Koran to you that you may be unsuccessful” (Ta Ha: 1-2).
The Holy Prophet preached in Mecca for ten years but results were not achieved according to his wishes. Yet, instead of putting the blame on the people, the Prophet thought that there is deficiency in my preaching. Hence, he spent the entire night in worship that “O Allah! Remove the defects from my preaching”, so much so that the Prophet’s feet became swollen (expanded). Thus, this verse was revealed that We have not revealed the Koran that you put yourself in hardship. There is no defect in your preaching; rather, the defect is in those people’s hearts. Although Infallible, the Prophet considers himself blameworthy in the matter of preaching, then surely we should also always consider ourselves blameworthy, not the public.
It is extremely necessary for a seeker of knowledge to take account of his self and to meditate upon his self. As Allah, the Most High, declares in the verse,
“What! Do you enjoin men to be good and neglect your own souls” (Al-Baqarah: 44).
A seeker of knowledge or a seeker of truth should come and say exactly whatever he says to the public from the pulpit (platform) or stage to himself when alone. He should take account of his self that are there any differences and contradictions (oppositions) between his words and action, character and speech. For, if there is contradiction between man’s words and actions, then he will be numbered (included) among the hypocrites. If a seeker of truth does not take account or meditate (think), then his mission or purpose does not remain divine; rather, he keep becoming entrapped (tempted) in Satan’s very powerful deception (dishonesty). Satan assures him that all of his works are in the way of Allah. The method of taking account of oneself should be very severe, because the self and Satan are the most skilled in deceiving. Each and every body part should be taken account of tongue, eyes, and other parts. Imam Musa Kazim (as) declares, “He is not from us who does not take account of his self each day (that how many sins and how many good deeds he has done).
Besides sin and reward, one should take account of the blessing Allah has given. Although a servant cannot count Allah’s blessings, their account depends upon how they are used. The gratitude (thankfulness) of Allah’s blessing is to use it according to Allah’s pleasure and the ingratitude of Allah’s blessing is to waste this blessing in the way of Satan. For example, if one uses the eyes to study the Koran then that is thankfulness for this blessing. Yet, if one does not pass one’s life according to Allah’s command then that is ingratitude of that blessing. For instance, youth is a blessing. In his old age man cannot do the work which he can do during youth. If he is not spending his youth acquiring knowledge, achieving recognition and love of Allah, and worshipping, then this amounts to wasting Allah’s blessing. Likewise, time for repentance is the greatest blessing after guidance.
It is in traditions that a dying person begs the Angel of Death to give me a chance of one day so that I can repent. When the Angel of Death refuses, the dying person asks a delay for half a day. Again when the Angel of Death refuses, the dying person requests a delay of an hour. Nevertheless, the Angel of Death again refuses. Thus, the Apostle of Allah says that at that time, even if the dying person was the master of the entire universe, he would be willing to give away the entire universe in order to receive a delay of one hour. Therefore, after guidance, there is nothing greater in the universe than this time of repentance. Even by giving away the entire universe man cannot increase his life by one second. Hence, although one is a seeker of knowledge, passing the seconds of one’s life in useless things and nonsense which do not benefit in this world or in the Hereafter or by sleeping excessively (extremely) is wasting this life. This is ingratitude (ungratefulness) for Allah’s blessing and its punishment is also severe. It is in traditions that with his own hands the Apostle of Allah laid a youth in his grave. After the grave was closed, he stated that at this time the grave is squeezing (pressing) this youth and I am the sound of the cracking of the bones of this youth; The companions said that we did not see this youth commit any sins. The Prophet replied that he used to engage in useless conversation, i.e. such discussions and conversations which do not benefit in this world or the Hereafter. Having people enter into worthless talks and useless discussions is one of Satan’s weapons, the result of which is hate and enmity. It ends up in ill-will and enmity. By means of such discussions Satan spreads hate and enmity between believers. Therefore, seekers of knowledge and seekers of truth should always remain aware of this Satanic trick. Thus, before uttering (speaking) each word, before performing each act even pointing by the eye or hand one should make certain that this action of mine is for attaining Allah’s pleasure.
source : seeker of solace/ syed jan ali kazmi
