The War Within...

 This issue is of vital importance and a main aspect, in my opinion, of the deen. We all fight on different levels with the demands of everyday life. We struggle with others on a frequent basis and we stuggle amongst ourselves as we want for our interests to be protected. who does not want security? This is a basic human neccessity. Many people just relate the term jihad to the war against those who transgress others rights. This is a legitimate war, but the most important jihad, the holy war that each one of us must fight, is the war against the satanic qualities that grow and spread inside the hearts of mankind an destroys the good within. 

 Just like how the Shaytan was cast out of heaven because he opposed the will of Allah, we too must cast out the evil within us, those qualities that ruin us and leads to the path of hell. To help us fight this jihad, Allah sent to us the kalimah and commanded us to "Recite this and cut down the enemy that is within you. Cut your connection to the evil one and cast out his qualities because they are the fuell for hell. We embrace instead the purity and Oneness of Allah. This means that we accept this reality and also His Names and Attributes, His dealings with an-nas(mankind) and al-gayb(the unseen).

 This meaning is very deep and profound. The purity and the state of absolute faith, certainty, and determination is also deep, and brings forth wisdom which assists in understanding these mysteries.

 The human being has two forms, each with its own qualities. the struggle is between these two forms. one is made up of five elements and is ruled by the mind, it lives in the realm of illusion, materialism, and hell. The other is a pure form composed of Allah's light, of His brilliance and purity. That form lives in the kingdom of heaven. When people dwell within this good form, they speak and act in good ways. When they fall into the realm of misguidance and move in the form of the elements, they speak and act in evil ways. These two have opposite qualities and duties.

 Once we have completely severed those qualities of satan within us, there will be no more hostility and hatred amongst human beings. All will live as brothers and sisters. That is true Islam, the affirmation of the unity of Allah, the Oneness of Him. We accept this, Allah accepts us. Once we fight and conquer these enemies of our faith, these enemies of our prayers, we will find peace within ourselves...and once peace within is established, we will find peace everywhere. This world will be like heaven, and we will have a direct connection to Allah(Subhanna wa Ta'ala), just like Adam before the accursed shaytan interfered.

 We must fight the battle between that which is permissible under the Shari'ah and that which is forbidden...otherwise then, the qualities of evil will kill that which is good and the truth will be destroyed.

 Let everyone think about this and wage our own holy war. Only when we attain victory in battle and progress beyond, will we then fully understand that we are all one race of people and that there is One who is worthy of worship...Allah the Magnificent. We will never have peace and equality in our hearts until we finish this war, until we defeat and conquer the armies that arise from the thoughts and differences within ourselves, until we attak with force these enemies with patience, contentment, and trust in our God. We praise Him..with divine knowledge,with justice and conscience, we must fight and win this inner jihad.

Allah is the Sustainer of the heaven and the earth..May the peace of Allah be with you..Amin.