The Struggle to Fight the Oppression of the Self

Khutbah: "Understanding Desire" by Imam Mustafa Umar. from Islamic Institute of Orange Cty on Vimeo.

This is a khutbah by Imam Mustafa Umar (more here: http://mustafaumar.com/) that I felt was very fitting for Valentines Day. and just a great reminder in general. Here are notes I took that you can follow along with:

"Whoever fears the position of his Lord and forbids his inner-self from following it's destructive desires, Paradise will be that person's destination." Our self/nafs/ego is something which pushes us towards action - the human being is composed of many aspects: intellect and rationalization; ability to reflect and choose drives us to do certain things.

There is also a spiritual aspect: self / ego that drives the mind to make certain decisions. this is where free will is. That self needs to resist temptations and pleasure because of one simple fact that no one can deny: the self and ego becomes addicted to the pleasures of this world.

Allah (swt) has created these appetites within us (hunger, thirst, desire) they are here not only to give us pleasure but rather to prolong the human race. However, He has not given the permission to let that desire / inclination run unchecked. When it runs unchecked is when we lose our lofty position and get down to the level of animals. When their desires overcome them, they are no longer in the position to choose what is right and wrong.

Econ principal: "diminishing marginal utility" directly has an effect on how we understand desires. People use it to see how they determine supply and demand - your amount of desire in one specific sitting will decrease based upon the amount of desire you indulge in. some people may mistakenly think that if you indulge in your desires then they're going to get out of your system. MISTAKE. Infact, the more you fulfill and indulge in your desires the more your desires go further. The more you begin to crave it. It doesn't get out of your system. it stays and becomes a part of you.

Allah (swt) has told us that we must resist our inner desires and fight back against ourselves. if we do not fight and control our temptations it will get out of hand. We live in a society that doesn't mind promoting things such as dating, sex, etc. We as Muslims must understand what society we're living in and we need to decide consciously how we're going to react to that society.

America has the highest rate of rape in the world. why? It's because we live in a society that does not check the inner self. It not only allows you to follow your desires but it promotes the following of desires. it's a high pressure society, how are we going to act and react when we are put in those situations? We need to be among those people that are willing to participate in the struggle against ourselves. We must have the discipline, ability, intellect and the insight to lower our gaze, to say no. The only way we can do this is if we are prepared. If we think all we have to do is say "There is no God but the One" and then sit back and be admitted into Heaven, then we're WAY mistaken.

Remember that each and every single one of us is going to be tested, "Or think you that you will enter Paradise without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? They were afflicted with severe poverty and ailments and were so shaken that even the Messenger and those who believed along with him said, ‘When (will come) the Help of Allah?’ Yes! Certainly, the Help of Allah is near!" Quran 2:214. The test may be difficult but it is never impossible. Because Allah (swt) promises "On no soul does Allah place a burden greater than it can bear." Quran 2:286. And that is a sign of reassurance for each and every one of us. You can never make the excuse and cop out saying that this is too difficult for you to handle. There's already a selection process thats been made before you've been given the exam; its already in-line with what you can handle.

So Islam has taught us that we must resist for our own good. Of course, for the sake of Allah (swt), but all of these things are in essence for our own good at the end of the day. If you make the decision that you're going to fight and resist then one of the difficulties that you're going to face is that you've been so accustomed to doing something over and over again that its difficult for you to get out of it. There will be some withdrawal symptoms; you're going to find a sense of boredom and you'll think that nothing is fun around you. Adjusting is difficult but it's something that you wll get used to and it is something very plausible. There's going to be a hill you need to cross over if you want to fight your self - remember Allah swt's promise: "As for those who strive hard in Us (Our Cause), We will surely guide them to Our Paths. And verily, Allah is with the Muhsinun (good doers)." Quran 26:69 if you do it for the sake of Allah, you resist and fight your self for the sake of Allah, He will guide you and He will help you.

May Allah (swt) allow us to pass these tests. May He give us the strength and insight to see thorugh the deceptions in our society and allow us to make the right choices. Oh Allah guide us ON the straight path. Ameen.