Internal Conflict

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated:

A servant of Allah does not embark upon what he has been forbidden except through two ways: Firstly, (either) harbouring evil thoughts about his Lord that if he were to obey Allah and preferred Him, He (Glorified be He) will not grant him that which is better from the lawful (things), or his acknowledgement (i.e. that Allah will grant him something better than the forbidden thing he pursues) and that whoever leaves something for Allah’s sake, He will replace it with something better; but lusts overcomes his patience and desires his intellect. The first affair is due to weakness in knowledge and the second a weakness in intellect and insight. [1]

Imam Ibn Al-Jawzi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

O you! Your intellect urges you towards repentance, while your desires hold you back, resulting in an (internal) conflict. If you were to muster a determined army (sound resolve, Iman), the enemy (Shaytan and vain desires) would have fled. You intend to engage in night prayers, yet you find yourself asleep. You attend the gathering but do not weep, and then you asked, “What is the cause?” [هُوَ مِنْ عِندِ أَنفُسِكُم – It is from your own selves]. [Al-Imran: 165]

You sin during the day and then sleep at night. You consume what is forbidden, leading to the darkness of your heart. When the door to acceptance is opened, you are cast out. Beware, for the heart’s (unrestricted) thoughts regarding the permissible matters can lead it to darkness; then how about the forbidden? If pure musk can alter water, preventing it from being used for ablution (due to a change of its colour, taste or smell), then what about impurity? When will you awaken from the slumber of heedlessness?! [2]

[1] Al-Fawaa’id. Page 78

[2] Al-Mud’hish 365