Explaining Irresponsible behaviour

Published by LookingToSee on 9 September, 2011 - 12:34

How does Islam explain irresponsible behaviour? when we do things that we know are wrong but keep doing them anyway? How does our creator explains this flaw of ours? nafs?

feel free to post any link to article, talks etc...

Im not really looking for man-guessed psychological theories to explain irresponsible behaviour but feel free to post that as well, we can compare..or something.

please guys! dont ignore...

Submitted by LookingToSee on 9 September, 2011 - 13:01

I consider "irresponsible behaviour" a lost battle against the nafs. but there is still the war to win InshaaAllah

so here i found an article, about how Failure is good for you. and hwo, through failure, your re-calibrate your heart. Quite short, i will bolden up some of the points that touched me inshaaAllah

A test that calibrates the heart with truth

Allah tests us according to the emaan He gives us such that if He has blessed with a lot of emaan then He will test us according to that level and if we possess less emaan then He will test us according to that level. Of course emaan does also fluctuate so what this means is that Allah will test us according to the level of emaan we have the potential to attain. If Allah has given us the potential to attain a high level of emaan then He will continue to test us so that we attain that level just so that He can reward us according to that level. But there is also another consideration to bear in mind here which is that if Allah has blessed us with considerable knowledge, understanding, ability and emaan and if we then overcome what He tests us with, such that we look back at our considerable achievement, we might be led into thinking that it was because of our abilities and hard work and emaan that we were able to achieve what we did. We may even possess the knowledge that in reality it wasn’t really us, despite our efforts, that led to our success but it was Allah. But knowing this is not the same as understanding it with certainty such that even though we consciously know it we still consider that our ability to overcome our tests was because of our efforts.

To believe this is more detrimental to our success and is the potential undoing of all of our hard work than to not have overcome the test at all. What this means is that the definition of overcoming tests is not just to have physically overcome a particular challenge but to have arrived at a point of realisation that in reality it was only by the mercy of Allah that we were able to achieve anything. Overcoming any test is a station much easier to attain than arriving at the realisation that it was only by the mercy of Allah that we overcame it. Hence what we learn from this is that in order to attain this understanding, this point of humility and this level of realisation of the Lordship of Allah and our true level as His humble slaves, requires that we are tested just beyond the level we have the ability to achieve by ourselves, by the abilities and strengths Allah has given us. In other words if Allah blessed us with considerable knowledge, ability and emaan and then tested us with something considerable but something either at the level of our ability to achieve by ourselves or just below that level then it would cause us to think we had attained success by our efforts which would take us away from the reality of the power of Allah and that it was His power that had led to our success. It would also cause us to be increased in the delusion of our own abilities, and lead us to think that we could achieve something even greater if we applied our efforts and abilities.

Now, such a person whilst applying his efforts and abilities may also at the same time be intensely seeking the guidance and mercy of Allah but may not have attained the level whereby he failed in his efforts. Thus by not failing in his efforts he was caused to think that his own efforts were the true cause of his success even though he may be consciously aware that all success in reality came from Allah. But there is a distinct difference between the two states of understanding, which is certainty. As we said, one can know something but without certainty, or one could know something with certainty which translates itself into an understanding which is a station, a realisation, a marker in the sand, a point of understanding whereby one is absolutely certain that something is true. In the case we are describing, this point of certainty is the point of realisation that one cannot achieve anything except by the power of Allah which means that one is entirely in His mercy which then inculcates humility before Allah through the realisation of the Rububiyya of Allah – the realisation of His Lordship. Now, it is true to say that we will be tested during our time on earth because this is the arena of tests, it is the purpose of our creation, such that we realise who our Lord is, become subservient to Him, possess certainty of His power, and possess certainty of our complete and continuous need of Him at all times, morning, evening and night. Hence, it is for this reason that the realisation of truth, the realisation of Al-Haqq, necessitates that what we are tested with is always just beyond our ability to achieve by our own efforts. This generates failure which is the means by which we come to the realisation that in reality all power is with Allah. It is only then that we are truly humbled before Allah, where we break through the material realm and enter into the spiritual realm where we begin to witness the true reality of the majesty and generosity of Allah contained in His Name, Dhul Jalali Wal Ikram.

That is to say, that by being tested beyond our ability to accomplish something, or beyond our ability to withstand a test, we are brought to the doorstep of seeking from the guidance, power, mercy, and blessings of Allah, in the true realisation that irrespective of our abilities, knowledge and emaan, all success in all matters was a mercy from Allah. This the realisation of Al-Haqq, the degree to which we gain this realisation depends entirely on our desire to submit to Allah, our desire to speak the truth, and our desire to see reality as it truly is, just as the Prophet (sall’allahu alayhi wasallam) prayed:

“O Allah, show me the truth as the truth, and enable me to follow it. O Allah, show me show me falsehood as falsehood and enable me to stay away from it and do not let it confuse me, so that I become misguided” (Allahumma aranee al-haqqu haqqan wa arzuqnee itiba’ahu, wa aranee al-baatilu baatilan wa arzuqnee ijtinaabahu)

Hence, the tests that calibrate our heart with truth are failures achieved through tests and tribulations. In this case failure becomes something beautiful and beneficial because through it we are brought closer to reality as it truly is which is that all power is with Allah. This truth is exemplified by the words of the Prophet (sall’allahu alayhi wasallam) when he said Allah had given the believers something that He had not given to any other people before, a treasure from beneath the Throne of Allah, contained in the words of Allah:

“La Hawla Wala Qu’watta Illah Billah” (There is no power or majesty except with Allah)

so..at the end of the day, if you ever asked yourself "what ahppens when i fail a test from Allah..is it a wasted opportunity?" there you have your answer: "no it isnt, if you dont let it, its a reminder"

(so dont dwell on failure too much but prepare yourself for next test?) so what should we do instead of dwelling on failure?

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Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?

Submitted by LookingToSee on 9 September, 2011 - 13:07

but this still doesnt explain why we are irresponsible sometimes. so keep it comoing, whatever it is. anything to widen the understanding around this topic inshaaAllah

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Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?

Submitted by Bilan on 9 September, 2011 - 17:56

It IS a stuggle against our nafs. If we gave in to our nafs constantly we would do whatever we felt like, rather than doing what was needed.(Then there is the push from Shaytaan added to that as well.) I'm not sure if irresponsible is the right term though...

In regards to 'irresponsible' behaviour tht leads to sin, we are designed to sin constantly, but what distinguishes a believer from a non believer is that a believer asks his Lord for forgiveness and has the intention of not committing the sin again.

(EDIT: havent read the article yet)

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"Verily, in the remembrance of Allah, do hearts find rest"

Submitted by Foysol89 on 10 September, 2011 - 12:57

Assalamu alaikum Biggrin

Ermmm not sure if i can really contribute anything beneficial. The question you're asking has been going on in my head so much, especially these last few days.

Subhanallah! Though the article didn't exactly answer the question, it cleard up alot of things in my head and may have been just what i needed at this time. This is why it's important to increase our knowledge of deen, to make sure we don't fail when our intentions are good.

Correct me if i'm wrong but this is what i gathered from the article. That at the end of the day no matter how much effort we put into overcoming something, only Allah swt can give us the strength to overcome it. Only when Allah tests us to our limit and we strive and struggle to overcome the test, only then will Allah have mercy on us and put effect into our efforts and it is only through His will that we are successfull.

See just like the article said, i knew this but i think i may have had an inkling of thought that it was due to my efforts that i achieved something. This really put things into prespective(is this how it's spelt?) for me, made me remember everything is from Allah and that we don't get into jannat through our efforts and deeds but through Allah' mercy.

Jazakallah khair for this and may Allah guide us all. Ameen

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Lets reunite the ummah under one flag LA ILAHA IL ALLAH MUHAMMADUR RASULULLAH

Submitted by Foysol89 on 10 September, 2011 - 15:06

Why do we sin? (urghh couldn't find any article or videos :/ ) so i'm just gonna say my piece and insha allah something good will come out.

Tried to find the referance but no luck :/ but i'm sure i've read/heard somewhere that if we didn't sin Allah would've created another nation who did? Well it makes sense anyway. Allah is the most merciful and the most forgiving, if we didn't sin who would Allah have mercy upon and forgive.

This is an example i heard the other day on a lecture by i don't know who. Well the guy said without sin there is no virtue in our good deeds. For example there are two guys walking and one of them is blind and a woman who is unlawful walks past and the guy that can see lowers his gaze. Neither of the two men set their gaze upon this woman but who do you think will be rewarded for not looking?

What this shows is if we didn't have the desire to sin we wouldn't be rewarded for avoiding this sin.

The question your asking is more to do with if we know that something is haram and it will displease Allah why do we do it? Hahaha i haven't answered that at all have i?

I would like to say it's cause we're idiots.......it's in our nature i guess. We're neither Angels or prophets, we were meant to sin. I'm just gonna restrain from sinning as much as i can and WHEN, not IF i sin i will do as Allah wants me to do ask for forgiveness.

Errr i'll look for a better answer for the both of us. Thanks for the reminder, jazakallah khair.

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Lets reunite the ummah under one flag LA ILAHA IL ALLAH MUHAMMADUR RASULULLAH

Submitted by Bilan on 10 September, 2011 - 17:50

Ibn Kathir says:

"The Mu'min are a people who have been prevented through the Qur'an from indulging in the pleasures of this world; it comes between them and what might destroy them. The Mu'min is like a prisoner in this world, who tries to free himself from its shackles and chains, placing his trust in nothing in it, until the day he meets his Creator. He knows full well that he is accountable for everything that he hears, sees and says, and for everything that he does with his body."

There are two kinds of people, one are those whose Nafs have overcome them and led them to ruin because they yielded to them and obeyed their impulses. The other kinds are those who have overcome their Nafs and made them obey their commands.

Nafs (pl. Anfus or Nufus) lexically means soul, the psyche, the ego, self, life, person, heart or mind. (Mu'jam, Kassis)

Although some scholars have classified the Nafs up to 7 stages, there is agreement among Ulama' that in the Qur'an, Allah (s.w.t.) has described at least 3 main types of the Nafs. And these are in rank from the worse to better: Nafs al-Ammara Bissu' (the Nafs that urges evil), Nafs al-Lawwama (the Nafs that Blames) and Nafs al-Mutma`inna (the Nafs at Peace).

1. Nafs al-Ammara Bissu' (The Soul which Commands):
This is the Nafs that brings punishment itself. By its very nature it directs its owner towards every wrong action. No one can get rid of its evil without the help from Allah. As Allah refers to this Nafs in the story of the wife of al-Aziz (Zulaikha) and Prophet Yusuf (s):

"The (human) soul is certainly prone to evil" (12:53).

Allah also says:

"And had it not been for the grace of Allah and His Mercy on you, not one of you would ever have been pure; but Allah purifies whomever He wishes, and Allah is Hearing, Knowing." (24:21)

This Nafs resides in the world of the senses and is dominated by earthly desires (Shahwat) and passions….

Evil lies hidden in the Nafs and it is this that leads it on to do wrong. If Allah were to leave the servant alone with his self, the servant would be destroyed between its evil and the evil that it craves; but if Allah grants him success and help, then he will survive. We seek refuge in Allah the Almighty, both from the evil in ourselves and from the evil of our actions.

2. Nafs al-Lawwama (the Soul that Blames):

Allah refers to this Nafs,

"And I do call to witness the Nafs that blames" (75:2).

This Nafs is conscious of its own imperfections.

Hasan al-Basri said, "You always see the believer blaming himself and saying things like 'Did I want this? Why did I do that? Was this better than that?"….
3. Nafs al-Mutma`inna (the Soul at Peace):

Allah refers to this Nafs,

"O Self, in complete rest and satisfaction!" (89:27).

This Nafs is tranquil as it rests on the certitude of Allah.

Ibn Abbas (r) said, "It is the tranquil and believing soul".

Al-Qatadah (r) said, "It is the soul of the believer, made calm by what Allah has promised. Its owner is at rest and content with his knowledge of Allah's Names and Attributes, and with what He has said about Himself and His Messenger , and with what He has said about what awaits the soul after death: about the departure of the soul, the life in the Barzakh, and the events of the Day of Qiyamah which will follow. So much so that a believer such as this can almost see them with his own eyes. So he submits to the will of Allah and surrenders to Him contentedly, never dissatisfied or complaining, and with his faith never wavering. He does not rejoice at his gains, nor do his afflictions make him despair - for he knows that they were decreed long before they happened to him, even before he was created…."….

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"Verily, in the remembrance of Allah, do hearts find rest"

Submitted by TPOS on 10 September, 2011 - 19:08

Foysol89 wrote:

Tried to find the referance but no luck :/ but i'm sure i've read/heard somewhere that if we didn't sin Allah would've created another nation who did? Well it makes sense anyway. Allah is the most merciful and the most forgiving, if we didn't sin who would Allah have mercy upon and forgive.

This is an example i heard the other day on a lecture by i don't know who. Well the guy said without sin there is no virtue in our good deeds. For example there are two guys walking and one of them is blind and a woman who is unlawful walks past and the guy that can see lowers his gaze. Neither of the two men set their gaze upon this woman but who do you think will be rewarded for not looking?

this all sounds familiar but I don't remember where from :S

Quote:
I would like to say it's cause we're idiots.......it's in our nature i guess. We're neither Angels or prophets, we were meant to sin. I'm just gonna restrain from sinning as much as i can and WHEN, not IF i sin i will do as Allah wants me to do ask for forgiveness.

Agreed.
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"How many people find fault in what they're reading and the fault is in their own understanding" Al Mutanabbi

Submitted by Foysol89 on 11 September, 2011 - 04:21

ThE pOwEr Of SiLeNcE wrote:

this all sounds familiar but I don't remember where from :S

Ermm i told you this story before

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Lets reunite the ummah under one flag LA ILAHA IL ALLAH MUHAMMADUR RASULULLAH

Submitted by TPOS on 11 September, 2011 - 17:54

Foysol89 wrote:
ThE pOwEr Of SiLeNcE wrote:

this all sounds familiar but I don't remember where from :S

Ermm i told you this story before


Lol ohh :oops:
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"How many people find fault in what they're reading and the fault is in their own understanding" Al Mutanabbi

Submitted by Bilan on 11 September, 2011 - 21:39

Lol at I-m so happy ah feefs....

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"Verily, in the remembrance of Allah, do hearts find rest"

Submitted by Ya'qub on 12 September, 2011 - 00:14

I've heared that any sinful behaviour is regarded as a form of (temporary) disbelief. Or at the least a flawed knowledge of Allah (swt).
Like when the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam (Peace and Blessings be upon him) said that when someone commits fornication they disbelieve for the time they are doing it and then believe again after they are finished.

Good acts are bitter tasting before or while you do them, but they leave a sweet, long aftertaste.
Sinful acts are sweet on the lead-up to them, but leave a bitter after taste which can't be washed away easily.

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Don't just do something! Stand there.

Submitted by LookingToSee on 12 September, 2011 - 11:54

Ya'qub wrote:

Good acts are bitter tasting before or while you do them, but they leave a sweet, long aftertaste.
Sinful acts are sweet on the lead-up to them, but leave a bitter after taste which can't be washed away easily.

WOUAW! THANK YOU! JAzakAllah!! Can i use it as my signature???

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Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?

Submitted by Foysol89 on 12 September, 2011 - 16:19

Lilly wrote:
Ya'qub wrote:

Good acts are bitter tasting before or while you do them, but they leave a sweet, long aftertaste.
Sinful acts are sweet on the lead-up to them, but leave a bitter after taste which can't be washed away easily.

WOUAW! THANK YOU! JAzakAllah!! Can i use it as my signature???

+ 1 nicely said

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Lets reunite the ummah under one flag LA ILAHA IL ALLAH MUHAMMADUR RASULULLAH

Submitted by Bilan on 13 September, 2011 - 23:28

Foysol89 wrote:

Tried to find the referance but no luck :/ but i'm sure i've read/heard somewhere that if we didn't sin Allah would've created another nation who did?

According to a saheeh hadeeth, 'If you did not err, Allah would cause you to vanish and would bring people who would err and then seek His forgiveness, so that He could forgive them.'

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"Verily, in the remembrance of Allah, do hearts find rest"

Submitted by Foysol89 on 14 September, 2011 - 16:59

bilan wrote:
Foysol89 wrote:

Tried to find the referance but no luck :/ but i'm sure i've read/heard somewhere that if we didn't sin Allah would've created another nation who did?

According to a saheeh hadeeth, 'If you did not err, Allah would cause you to vanish and would bring people who would err and then seek His forgiveness, so that He could forgive them.'

Yup that's the one Smile

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Lets reunite the ummah under one flag LA ILAHA IL ALLAH MUHAMMADUR RASULULLAH

Submitted by Ya'qub on 15 September, 2011 - 01:23

Also:
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Every son of Adam makes mistakes, and the best of those who make mistakes are those who repent.” (Reported by al-Tirmidhi, no. 2499, and by Ibn Maajah, who narrated this version – al-Sunan, ed. by ‘Abd al-Baqi, no. 4251)

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Don't just do something! Stand there.

Submitted by laila on 21 September, 2011 - 12:20

Tauba Tun Nasuh I pray for this tauba and not my fake ones I wish I had the strength the will power the correct sincerity. I keep thinking that one day I'll empty my head of false thoughts and ask for this sincere and lasting forgiveness and become that person I wish to become, but I really don't know how I will do this, but I know I must.

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