The nature of human beings is that we are created with a heart that recognises evil and is sad whenever any part of the body commits anything that is against the laws of its Creator. Allaah says about the human soul;
"By Nafs (a soul or person), and Him who perfected it in proportion; then He showed him what is wrong for him and what is right for him" (Q 91 :7-8).
This is usually the case when one commits a sin for the first time. The heart regrets and feels sad for committing it.
If the person is a Muslim, he has an added advantage in the sense that the Book of Allaah will make him recognize it as evil and keep away from it. However, when the person continues with that evil, there will come a time that the heart will not see the sin as evil anymore. The person will continue to enjoy himself and eventually just find it difficult leaving the evil he is doing. The same applies when a person is doing good deeds. There will always come a time when the good deed becomes part of him and not doing becomes a huge burden. This is especially the case when Allaah has made it easy for such a person.
May Allaah count us among those that He has made doing good deeds loving to their hearts (Aamin). So, what happens to those whose hearts has become accustomed or used to evil deeds? Some of those people who are addicted to one evil thing or the other and want to leave these evil things once and for all. Sadly, leaving the evil becomes very difficult because they have become addicted to them.
Some that people especially the youths are usually addicted to are; smoking, drinking (alcohol), illegal sexual intercourse e.t.c Break it now! The first and most important step to breaking an evil addiction is to recoqnise that the thing itself is evil and that Allaah is not pleased with such an act. With this in his mind, the person will always call himself back whenever the urge to go back to the evil comes. If he does not see it as evil, he will not feel any need to leave it. The person should also recognise that Allaah sees and is All- Aware of all that he is doing. This will keep him in check even if the Shaitaan in him is suggesting to him to do it where nobody can see him. Allaah says;
"Have you not seen that Allaah knows whatsoever is in the heavens and the earth...?(Q 58:7)
In many cases, committing sins and evil deeds among the youths is started as a result of peer pressure. Thus, it is only advisable that the person stay away from bad company and keep the company of good people. If he does not do this, he will most likely fall back to that same habit. Do you still remember the story of the man who killed one hundred people?
The common English proverb says: The idle mind is the devils workshop. Keep yourself busy with something beneficial like reading the Quran and hadith of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) or even get some work done. Finally and very importantly, pray to Allaah assist you with regards to this sincere effort of yours. Insha Allaah, He will help you overcome whatever it is. Allaah says; But you cannot will, unless Allaah wills. Verily, Allaah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. (Q76:30)
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited