Zipping and zapping through the multiple TV channels or scanning the worldwide web’s millions of websites, one is continuously bombarded with obscenity guised as the new social culture, or indecency that is fast and rampant. Satan’s promise that he will make everything appear colourful in this world for the unsuspecting believers to be trapped into (refer the book “Interview with Shaytan”; M A Sheriff) has finally come to life, as lust and sex is depicted as love and caring attitude; violence and oppression is the new definition of peace and justice. The younger generation, has not only been confused in understanding the truth versus the falsehood, but has actually succumbed to the very perils of materialist living. Each flashing their own new mobile, their own new ringer tone, some Muslims even shamelessly setting their ringers to the tune of some famous Indian film songs, others transmitting powerful X-rated jokes, this time in picture and graphics over their wireless new hand toys (mobiles). All these Muslims put together do put to shame the old accusation that in India the leading fraternity of dons and mafias (bhais) is Muslims, at least by name (Dawood bhai, Chhota Shakeel, etc.)

But all hope is not lost yet as the Almighty continues to keep His doors of mercy open to us, for penitence or for expiation. Islam, no wonder and perhaps in full view of the time to come, has been a religion that dissuades its believers from flirting with mundane possessions and wealth, from detaching oneself from this transient life and focusing on another living. Holy months of Muharram, or the pilgrimage ritual, or the severity of fasting, and perhaps the tireless offering of prayers five times, each day, are all ingredients of the humbling of mankind in front of the creator. So merciful is His realm that with every difficulty, suffering or sickness, He avails an opportunity to cleanse oneself of sins and spiritual dirt. A famous tradition is quoted of our sixth Imam (AS), who said, “One night’s sleeplessness during an illness that afflicts a believer is equal to a year of worship”. In another tradition, the fourth Imam says that a night’s fever expiates a year’s sins.

To err and to sin is human. But in His infinite Wisdom, Allah (SWT) does recognize the influence of Satan’s powerful domination over humankind, in deviating it from the right path. It was in this very bid that the accursed even managed to discredit the piety of Adam and Hawwa, by feigning friendship and pretending to be their well-wisher. This was the first case of deceit and how a being can cheat others through false pretence and character fabrication.

Let us pray for his mercy and remain steadfastness in times so turbulent and sinful. Let us protect ourselves, and our children from the external influences that damage their personality through appropriate research, patience and understanding. Let us utilize the opportune moments in the nights and in the days, to seek His forgiveness, for sins past and present.