'The Barriers from Al-Mohaimen are four' (qasida 5:16)

This is the motto of this section, which is for talking about the barriers that cut off the Muslims' relations with Allah [Al-Mohaimen which is a name of Allah that means the Dominant who controls everything]. We need to know these barriers in order for us to be able to avoid or rectify them in our path to Allah.

This section started with a question from one of our viewers, which he sent to the Discussion page. We then found out that it is a big issue that needs more extensive discussion. We found a book made out of a research conducted by a group of brothers which took them 2 years to complete. This book discusses this subject extensively from the point of view of sayyidi Fakhraddin because it was made with the help of some of his older companions. The book's title is "al-Morshid al-Wagis" which means [the summarized guide].

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A continuation from previous issue the subject of the barriers from al-Mohaimen, we were talking about the first barrier which is the inner-self. We found that the the inner-self has seven selves, The first and lowest one of them is the "Evil-Inclined Self".

Evil-Inclined Self

Ignorance is one of the most distinguishing features of the "Evil-Inclined Self". That is because it is far from truth. As Allah says: [And Allah Has brought you forth from the wombs of your mothers knowing nothing] An-Nahl 16:78.

Stinginess, conceit, anger, insult and assault are considered to be among its traits as well. A matter to which Almighty has referred by saying on behalf of sayydina Yusuf [PBUH]: [And yet, I am not trying to absolve myself: for, verily, man’s inner self does incite (him) to evil]. Prophet Mohammad [PPBUH] said: (we came back from the minor Jihad {war with the enemy} to the major one), he then was asked: and what is the major Jihad? he replied: (It is that inner struggle within one’s evil-inclined self). Thus, Prophet Mohammad [PPBUH] called this struggle with the inner self as the (major Jihad). This is because it lies within the darkest part of man’s nature; it does not differentiate between what is right and what is wrong. Moreover, it is a gate through which Satan creeps into one’s self.

Also, our saints said, in this context, that the seeker has to keep on saying ‘La Ilaha Ila Allah’(There is no God but Allah), and should do that by prolonging the ‘La’ and stressing the Hamza of ‘Ilaha’, otherwise he will be saying ‘La yelah Ila Allah’. Hence, he will not be abiding with the true word of ‘Tawhyd’ (Monotheism). In addition, it does not have the desired effect and impact in the heart as Imam Fakhraddin described it in his context:

[How bitter is the drink of the Evil-Inclined Self,

Head of all poisons, and mother of all evils]

[Blessed be he who kills it (tightens its reins),

and ward ye off its malice roots]

 (qasida 6:11,12)

Next issue we will talk about the [Reproaching Self] ...

Written by Al-Morshid al-Wagis group

Translated by Noha