part in the makeup of every human being; they cannot be ignored.
Humans, unlike the angels, have to face the challenge in this life of
mastering these forces within us. If we fail to do so, then we become
enslaved by our desires and thus fall below the level of the animal
kingdom.
The keys to a happy and fulfilled life are to be found in the guidance
contained in the Quran and in the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammadwhose
lifestyle embodieda perfect balance between permissible enjoyment and
abstention from what is forbidden.
In this article, we will talkabout the dangers of yielding to the
unrestrained cravings of the soul through highlighting the problemof
lust. Although man could be afflicted by lust at any age, young men
are more susceptible. That is because between adulthood and
childhoodis adolescence, where a person undergoes great physical and
psychological changes. During this stage, one's decisions and
experiences determine, to a great extent, the type of adult one will
become. So, if a person succeeded in curbing his desires during this
period, it would be easier for him to curb it for the rest of his
life.
Sometimes, our children who are on the thresholdof adolescence receive
scant attention from parents regarding this matter; so, we preferred
to tackle the issue of lust in the form of dad-son dialogue:
Son:Dad! You've told me alot about the advantages and bright aspects
of the period of entering manhood. Can you tell me about its problems
and difficulties?
Dad:This is a crucial question. You know that Satan is eager to tempt
and seduce human beings. Allaah Says in the Noble Quran )what
means(:"]Satan[ said,"Because You have put me in error, I will surely
sit in wait for them on Your straight path. ThenI will come to them
from before them and from behind them and on their right and on their
left, and You will not find most of them grateful ]to You[."
]Quran 7: 16-17[
Therefore, the fight between Satan and a young man reaches its climax
when the young man reaches the age of religious obligation.
Allaah made the way to His Paradise hard and difficult, and the way to
the Hell full of desires for a certain wisdom, namely, to test people.
In other words, the road to Hell is closer than that toParadise. The
Prophetis reported to have said:"Hellfire is surrounded by all kinds
of desires and passions, whileParadiseis surrounded by all kinds of
disliked undesirable things."]Al-Bukhaari[
Thus, desires and lust start to appear in this stage of someone's life
inorder to distinguish those who can resist the temptation from those
who cannot. If the ways toParadisewere furnished with flowers,
everybody would take it.
Son:Can you tell me more about these desires, Dad?
Dad:Well! They are so many, varying in strengthand scope. Allaah
Says)what means(:"Beautified for people is the love of that which they
desire – of women and sons,heaped-up sums of gold and silver, fine
branded horses, and cattle and tilled land. That is the enjoyment of
worldly life, but Allaah has with Him the best return."]Quran 3: 14[
As for their varying nature, they differ from one person to another
and from one environment to another. However, the influence of sexual
desire on youngpeople is the strongest and most dangerous, especially
in the present time. The Prophetwarned us against that when hesaid: "I
am not leaving behind a more harmful trial)cause of mischief(for men
than women."The Prophetalso said:"A person who gives surety to
)safeguard( what is between his jaws )tongue( and what is between his
two legs)private organs(, I guarantee his entrance into
Paradise."]Al-Bukhaari[
Abu Hurayrahnarrated that the Prophetwas asked about the things which
cause most people to enterParadise. Heanswered: "Being carefulabout
one's obligations to Allaah, and good behavior". Then, hewas asked:
"What are these things which would lead a person into Hellfire?"
Heanswered:"His mouth and genitals )i.e., misusing
them(."]Al-Bukhaari[
Son:You have come close to home when you spokeabout this desire. May I
ask more questions about it?
Dad:Go ahead, son.
Son:Some young people say that Allaah is All-Knowledgeable and
All-Wise, so they wonder if there is any apparent wisdom that a Muslim
can see behind afflicting people with such a strong desire?
Dad:You should know, myson, that a Muslim is not allowed to question
or object to the commandments of Allaah.He must submit to whatever
comes from his Lord and believe in it whether or not he knowsthe
wisdom behind it. However, if he knows thewisdom, his Faith will
become more firm.
One wisdom behind sexual desire is to sustainthe human race by meansof
reproduction. Therefore, the two sexes are attracted to each other in
order to achieve this end. Again, as mentioned earlier, one ofthe
greatest pieces of wisdom is affliction and trial. If the way of
obedience is hard, it will not be taken except by honest and pious
people who are characterized bypatience and fortitude, or else it will
be open to everybody.
Son:I think the first step a wise young man should take is to know the
temptations that may enkindle such a desire so that he may avoid them.
Am I correct, Dad?
Dad:Certainly. One should avoid the things that maystir up desires and lust.
To be followed…
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