Ramadan and Struggle with Nafs, Satan and Desires

IQNA – In Ramadan, the battle with the Nafs (self), with Satan, and with desires becomes evident, until the heart attains piety, which is the main goal of fasting.

This is according to an article by Salman (Abu Tariq) Al-Saud, president of the Palestinian Missionary Association, which is as follows:

Anyone who reflects on the human condition will find it similar to a kingdom, which involves an internal struggle between rival factions competing for power.

This is one of the most eloquent metaphors that scholars have used to illustrate the meaning of the internal conflict and harmony between the body, the Nafs and spirit.

These diverse forces, if placed in a just system, will function properly; but if they collide, they will be disrupted.

The month of Ramadan is not a theoretical concept, but an experience that is seen in the details of every day life; in fasting, prayer, self-control and feeling for others.

Ramadan is one of the seasons and turning points in the field of real effort; In this month, our battle with the Nafs (self), with Satan, and with desires becomes evident, until the heart attains piety, which is the main goal of fasting.

God Almighty says in the Holy Quran: “O you who have believed, fasting is prescribed for you... that you may become righteous.”( Verse 183 of Surah Al-Baqarah)

During the month of Ramadan, the devils are chained, but their influence remains; habits, desires, and weakness of will continue, and this is where the real struggle begins.

Fighting the Nafs

God Almighty says: “Indeed, the Nafs always commands evil except to whom my Lord has mercy.”(Verse 125 of Surah Al-Baqarah)

The Nafs, by its very nature, loves comfort and procrastination; it prefers sleep to prayer, talking to others to remembrance of God, and postponing repentance. Fighting the Nafs is achieved by opposing its desires.

Fighting Satan

Satan has sworn to tempt the children of Adam, and God Almighty has made the month of Ramadan a time when his plans become weak and has made it a season of goodness, a station for repentance and purification.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “When Ramadan comes, the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained. (Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim)

It is well known that the way for Satan to enter mankind is through embellishment and discouragement. Allah the Almighty says: “And Satan makes their deeds seem fair to them and prevents them from the path, so they are not guided.” (Verse 24 of Surah An-Naml)

Satan’s method is to tempt: Do it later; there is still a lot of time left; your deeds will not be accepted while you are busy with sin.

Confronting Satan requires frequent recourse to God, good company, and performing acts of obedience and worship. Because idleness is a favorable environment for Satan to overcome mankind.

Fighting desires

God Almighty says: “Then came after them a generation who abandoned prayer and followed their desires, so they will meet the punishment for their sins, which is a painful punishment.” (Verse 59 of Surah Maryam)

The default ruling regarding desires is that they are permissible, but what is required is to control them so that they do not lead a person to destruction. Fasting is to teach a person the ability to say “no” and not to be a slave to his desires.

Victory in this battle does not mean infallibility, but a quick return to the truth. Allah the Almighty says: “And those who when they commit an indecency or do injustice to their souls remember Allah and ask forgiveness for their faults-- and who forgives the faults but Allah, and (who) do not knowingly persist in what they have done.” (Verse 135 of Surah Al Imran).

The best fight is the fight against one’s Nafs, and whenever one slips, one gets up again.

Ramadan is a school of will and training; if one understands its true nature and principles, one will emerge from it with greater self-control and thus win this battle.

Fasting is a practice of avoiding desires. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Fasting is a protector and shield against sin,” as narrated by Bukhari.

The Prophet (PBUH) also said: “If one of you is fasting, he should not speak obscenely or raise his voice. If someone curses him or quarrels with him, he should say: I am fasting.”

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