In answer to the video "Bizarre Narrations- Muhammad's Doctrine of Satan"
There are numerous Quran and prophetic sayings stressing the importance in the sincere performance of the spiritual duties. Laziness in these matters was so loathed and reprimanded by the prophet that he is reported as using a derogatory Arabic expression, in reference to one who oversleeps past the morning prayer
"He is a man in whose ears (or ear) Satan had urinated".Urination has been used as a metaphor for corruption in Arabic, as attested by the earliest hadith scholars in reference to the hadith, and attributing this action to the devil as being performed in one's ears is a symbolism for the devil's corruption of one's self to the point the faculty to hear is willfully disregarded, leading one to ignore the call to prayer being heard.
The insistence of the prophet to pray and encourage others to do so, was of course not only restricted to simple physical attendance but included a broad range of related issues that all reflected one's sincerity in practice and consciousness of the seriousness of the undertaking.
For example he reportedly used the vivid imagery of the devil being pleased when seeing someone yawning and entering the mouth of the one that doesnt put his hand in front of it.
Firstly, it is obvious the devil cannot but be pleased by any sign of human weakness, especially in a spiritual context. The hadith in question comes in the context of prayer, a moment where the devil is doing his utmost to deviate one's spiritual concentration. One could be tired or sleepy while praying, and yawning is the physical manifestation of that state. To try and prevent it or raise one's hand if it occurs is a sign of composure and self-awareness, let alone basic presentation etiquette -among others encouraged in both the Quran and hadith when about to solemnly address the Creator. The devil entering the mouth of the one who yawns improperly during prayer, illustrates that he has successfully exploited that specific weakness at a crucial moment, has defeated one's sense of self awareness and spiritual composure. Satanic entities from among the jinn have the property to enter the human body so that they might whisper their suggestions whenever one lowers his spiritual guard
"He (the prophet) said: The devil flows in man as the blood flows in him. I feared that he might inject something in your hearts".
Satanic entities lurk around in everyday affairs, awaiting any moment of inattention where they can enter people's minds and hearts, especially at prayer times.
In another report the prophet employed the image of one whose head is transformed into that of a donkey for preceding the imam during prayer. It is obviously not literal since he alludes to those that have already done so but were not transformed. Calling someone a donkey is equivalent to say he is stupid. To understand the image conveyed one has to picture the awkwardness of being the sole person in a room out of synchronization with all others.
This is another one among many misunderstood ahadith, often derided by critics of Islam, which need to be understood in terms of imagery. For example the ahadith saying the satan passes wind upon hearing the call to prayer while running off fast and far away is obviously meant at depicting his intense loathing of it, and fear.
To illustrate one can refer to the popular depictions (real or fake) of exorcisms and their physical effects on those undergoing it.
Also in that particular hadith, what is rendered "passing wind" is the Arabic "dart", which is amply used in Arabic literature in other ways, including to escape, to disapprove, all of which equally apply in the context of the hadith.
It is very common in Arabic parlance of the past and today, to figuratively speak of Satan as influencing and/or adding to one's afflictions, physical or spiritual.
Other Semitic languages have this feature as well, as seen from Jesus' calling Peter "satan" in the NT Matt16:23, that when someone or something is associated with the devil, most of the time it is understood as a metaphor for its evil consequences. When some reports depict Satan as staying in one's nose at night, and that one should rinse it thrice (the number is just a recommendation not a strict obligation, and by the way a threefold repetition of the same action in religion is amply found within Christian rituals), it never states that such an action "flushes" Satan out. The prophet is here obviously giving a disease prevention advise and relief. It was addressed to desert people who surely experienced respiratory discomfort from sleeping in the dry desert climate. Rinsing the nose thrice helps decongesting it, humidifying it to ease breathing, but more importantly flushing out harmful dust and sand particles, things causing harm and hence the figurative association with Satan. The Prophet said,
"When the darkness of night comes, or in the evening, collect your children, for the devil is abroad at that time, and when an hour of the night has passed let them free and shut the doors, making mention of God’s name, for the devil does not open a shut door. Tie up you buckets, mentioning God's name; cover up your vessels, mentioning God’s name, even though you should just put something on them, and extinguish your lamps".
This again is plain common sense, while always relying on Allah for the outcome of things. Evil, whether coming from the men, jinn or anything else can and will affect all that was mentioned without precautions and relying on Allah. Imam Ibn Abd al-Barr said: In this hadeeth there is a command to close doors of houses at night. This is a Sunnah which is enjoined to protect people against the devils of mankind and the jinn. Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar said: Ibn Daqeeq al-‘Eid said: in the command to close doors there are both religious and worldly benefits which protect lives and wealth from evildoers, and especially the devils.
It is interesting that among the critics of such ahadith are those who believe in Satan and demons entering people and animals' bodies, taking full control of their victims.
No comments:
Post a Comment