WEBVTT 00:00:00.180 --> 00:00:09.060 A summary of the concepts held by the Ahl al-Sunnah. 00:00:09.060 --> 00:00:12.060 Controlling one's thoughts and reflections. 00:00:12.060 --> 00:00:18.980 First: Every person is a thinker, and every thinker is a doer. 00:00:18.980 --> 00:00:24.980 Thoughts and reflections are the origin of all theoretical knowledge and voluntary action. 00:00:24.980 --> 00:00:27.980 They produce perceptions. 00:00:27.980 --> 00:00:30.980 Perceptions invite intentions. 00:00:30.980 --> 00:00:33.979 Intentions necessitate the occurrence of an action. 00:00:33.979 --> 00:00:38.979 The repetition of an action causes it to become entrenched and turn into a habit. 00:00:38.979 --> 00:00:43.979 Thus, a person’s actions are in accordance with their thoughts and reflections. 00:00:43.979 --> 00:00:45.979 If these are good, the action is good. 00:00:45.979 --> 00:00:48.979 If these are evil, the action is evil. 00:00:48.979 --> 00:00:54.979 Therefore, a person must control their thoughts and reflections so that their behavior is disciplined. 00:00:54.979 --> 00:00:59.210 And they must direct themselves toward what pleases the Lord, glory be to Him. 00:00:59.210 --> 00:01:00.210 Second: 00:01:00.210 --> 00:01:04.209 Repelling evil thoughts is easier than repelling perceptions. 00:01:04.209 --> 00:01:10.209 Repelling and addressing perceptions is easier than repelling intentions. 00:01:10.209 --> 00:01:17.209 Thus, the matter becomes increasingly difficult the further one delves into the consequences of thoughts and reflections. 00:01:17.209 --> 00:01:21.209 Until, once the matter becomes an entrenched habit, 00:01:21.209 --> 00:01:24.209 It becomes very difficult for the person to abandon it. 00:01:24.209 --> 00:01:32.209 This is not possible for them unless Allah grants them repentance and success from Him, glory be to Him. 00:01:32.209 --> 00:01:34.370 Third: 00:01:34.370 --> 00:01:38.370 A person may not be able to prevent thoughts from arising initially, 00:01:38.370 --> 00:01:41.370 Because they strike them suddenly. 00:01:41.370 --> 00:01:48.370 However, through the strength of faith and soundness of mind, they can filter these thoughts. 00:01:48.370 --> 00:01:52.370 They accept the good ones, are pleased with them, and dwell upon them. 00:01:52.370 --> 00:01:56.370 And they repel the ugly ones, detest them, and turn away from them. 00:01:56.370 --> 00:02:01.370 As some of the Companions said to the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him: 00:02:01.370 --> 00:02:06.370 "We find within ourselves thoughts that one of us would consider too grave to speak of." 00:02:06.370 --> 00:02:09.370 He, peace be upon him, said: 00:02:09.370 --> 00:02:11.370 "Have you truly found that?" 00:02:11.370 --> 00:02:13.370 They replied, "Yes." 00:02:13.370 --> 00:02:16.370 He said, "That is clear faith." 00:02:16.370 --> 00:02:18.370 Narrated by Muslim. 00:02:18.370 --> 00:02:20.370 In another narration: 00:02:20.370 --> 00:02:24.370 "Praise be to Allah, who reduced his plot to mere whispering." 00:02:24.370 --> 00:02:27.370 Meaning the plot of the devil. 00:02:27.370 --> 00:02:30.400 Narrated by Ahmad and Abu Dawud. 00:02:30.400 --> 00:02:35.400 Thus, repelling the whispers of the devil and detesting them is clear faith. 00:02:35.400 --> 00:02:37.560 Fourth: 00:02:37.560 --> 00:02:40.560 The most beneficial remedy for preventing evil thoughts 00:02:40.560 --> 00:02:48.560 Is for a person to always and forever occupy themselves with what concerns them and what benefits them in their afterlife and worldly life. 00:02:48.560 --> 00:02:54.560 By doing so, they turn away from thinking about what does not concern them and what holds no benefit. 00:02:54.560 --> 00:02:58.560 The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, spoke the truth when he said: 00:02:58.560 --> 00:03:03.590 "Part of the perfection of a person's Islam is leaving what does not concern them." 00:03:03.590 --> 00:03:08.590 Narrated by al-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah, and authenticated by al-Albani.