Summary of Letter:

 Bismihi Ta’ala

Respected Mufti Saheb

Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakaatuh

 From the time I have taken bay’at on your hands until the present time, I do not yet. find any. significant change in my condition. I make all attempts to refrain from the forbidden things but due to my human weakness I still commit such actions. For instance my gaze sometimes falls on a strange women as a result of which evil thoughts continue to pester me, though I do not act upon the dictates of those thoughts. I also try to create the fear of Allah Ta’ala and His Rasul (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) in my heart and attempt to perform my salaah with khushoo’ and khudoo’ (humility and devotion) but I have not been successful in this either. Kindly advise me with regard to the above. One more malady which plagues me is anger. I simply cannot tolerate the faults of others Please guide me in this matter.

Summary of Reply:

Bismihi Ta’ala

Respected Brother / Sister

Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakaatuh

The one who treads the path of righteousness and strives to attain the same, Allah Ta’ala does not allow the efforts of such a person to go in vain even though he may not see the fruits of his efforts immediately. Allah Ta’ala declares: “Verily Allah does not allow the efforts of those who do good to go in vain” (Surah Tawba)- Evil thoughts creeping into the mind is something beyond one’s control. Do not pay any attention to them (i.e. ignore such thoughts and then turn your attention to something else). This is similar to the case of a person who is going to the Musjid. While on his way he hears the braying of a donkey. This is something beyond his control. However an intelligent person will pay no attention to the braying of the donkey. He will continue on his way- Thus there is no accountability for such thoughts that come into the heart involuntarily (and they are ignored), Nevertheless may Allah Ta’ala grant you salvation from this as well.

When anger overcomes you, immediately drink cold water. If you are standing, sit down, If you are sitting, recline. Busy yourself with some other work. This is the immediate treatment. The long term treatment is to sit in solitude and ponder over the following: The one whom I become angered with, I did not create him nor did I grant him his eyes nose, hands, legs and all his other limbs. I did not grant him his health or his sustenance. Yet upon a trivial worldly matter I become angry with him.. If Allah Ta’ala, the Being who created me and granted me everything had to become angry with me, what would be my condition?
Was Salaam (Maktoobaat)