Page 36 - Why Do You Deceive Yourself ?

34 WHY DO YOU DECEIVE YOURSELF?

Satan was able to seduce people with these excuses under the
conditions and in the atmosphere of the time of the Prophet (saas), and
there can be no doubt that he is trying to do the same thing to people
today with different blandishments and different excuses because he
is aware of everybody's weaknesses. He can make different plans ac-
cording to any circumstances and conditions. The people he chal-
lenges may be scientists, professors, men of ideas, leaders, common
people, artists, in short people of every level of culture and material
wealth. Satan knows by which means he should approach all of these

people.
The only people Satan cannot influence despite his trying every
opportunity to do so are the sincere Muslims, as Allah mentions in the
Qur'an. Since they fear Allah and do whatever they can to avoid the
Fire, they take very deliberate precautions against Satan's trickery. In
addition to this they make the best use of their intelligence, listen to
their consciences and rely upon their faith in Allah.
The stratagems and tactics of Satan that we have described above
are aimed at everybody. In other words, you, too, are a person in dan-
ger of coming under Satan's stealthy influence. This being the case, be
sincere in your faith, and do not fall into Satan's trap. Do not forget
that Satan is waiting for the opportunity to drag you into the Fire
along with himself and is making plans for you. At the first opportu-
nity he will cunningly go into action. Do not give Satan that opportu-

nity. He will whisper every possible excuse in your ear to prevent you
from following Allah's path and serving and worshipping Him.
Moreover he will try to present his case as very sensible and reason-
able. In this way he will try to persuade you by making you deceive
yourself.
By listening to your conscience you can easily detect what is hap-
pening and protect yourself from the influence of Satan by responding