The water in the pond is looking all calm, still and tranquil. A piece of bread is dropped into the pond. Hundreds of fish now rush for the bread. The attack is on, from all directions, thus disturbing the peace and calm that was once enjoyed.
This is exactly what often happens to our minds and hearts. In the very midst of a joyful and peaceful life, Shaitaan prompts within us an ill feeling or an ill thought regarding someone. Immediately thereafter, the nafs (carnal inner self) floods the inside with hundreds of more ill thoughts and feelings. The mind and heart become battlefields and all peace is lost. At times that is all it takes for the mind or heart to entertain an ill thought or feeling, and there we have it, the Shayateen are on the attack to magnify and amplify the thought or feeling. The war is on and all the joy is gone. If we do not remedy ourselves, then those thoughts and feelings will replay so much within us, that they will seem to be really true. Thus must immediately dispel any such thought or feeling. Don’t dwell on it. Ignore it and turn to Allah Ta‘ala seeking His forgiveness. Seek His protection from the whispers of Shaitaan. All power and might belongs to Allah Ta‘ala alone.