Keep away from evil deeds and evil moments 4.8mb/MP3
By Maulana AS Desai
Thursday 27 Shawwaal 1447 – 16 April 2026
Keep Away from Evil Deeds & Evil Moments
Mufti A S Desai Afrikee hafizahullah
27th Shawwaal 1447 – 16th April 2026
Bismillahi Ta’ala…
Shaykh ‘Ali al-Khawas (al-Borlios of Misr, d. 939 AH/1532 CE) narrated,
‘Stay far away from the company of backbiters and gossipers, because Allah Ta’ala sent Wahi unto Sayidunna Dawood alayhis salam in the Zaboor;
‘Mubarak (blessed and congratulate) those people who do not even stand near to people who are disobedient to Allah Ta’ala; nor do they sit with the faasiq (person who flagrantly, publicly and openly sins); nor do they associate with people who engage in gossip and gheebah (backbiting)…’
Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam stated,
‘Beware of gheebah (backbiting); indeed, backbiting is worse than zina (fornication)…’
(Al Mu’jam Al Awsat Lil-Tabrani)
‘…I seek refuge in Allah Ta’ala from an evil moment and from an evil companion…’
(al-Mu’jam al-Kabir lil-Ṭabarani)
Evil moment or minute is when you waste/destroy time in futility or sin.
Futility means something which is of no benefit, neither in this dunya (world) or the Akhirah (Hereafter).
Remember, futility ultimately leads to sin. This is why Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam stated,
‘…I seek refuge in Allah Ta’ala from an evil moment…’
The evil of wasted time will be experienced in the Akhirah with regret. People waste time here; whilst Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam stated ‘moment;’ they waste hours-and-hours in evil, especially being glued to their mobile phones and evil kuffar sports.
Muslims were created for a noble purpose, the object of our life, the purpose for which we were sent by Allah Ta’ala in this dunya, is not to waste our time away in futility; we were sent here to purify ourselves from the evil in us and to prepare ourselves for our maut (death) and our meeting with Allah Ta’ala.
Sayidunna ‘Ali radhiyallahu ‘anhu narrated
“The world is carrion, whoever desires it should tolerate associating and mixing with dogs.” (Hilyatul Awliya Li Abi Nuaym)
At the same time, this dunya is a wonderful opportunity which Allah Ta’ala has given us to purify ourselves and to prepare ourselves for our home in Jannah (Paradise). One will value the worth of ibaadah performed here in dunya in Jannah. No matter how much ibaadah and dhikr one will make in Jannah, it will not have the same value as the ibaadah and dhikr we make here in dunya. Therefore, every moment and minute should be devoted to the dhikr of Allah Ta’ala. Whilst walking, sitting, working; keep the tongue engaged in the dhikr of Allah Ta’ala. Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam stated,
‘Keep your tongue fresh with the dhikr of Allah Ta’ala.’ (Tirmidhi)
This tongue is a wonderful ne’mat (bounty) of Allah Ta’ala – it must not be misused – in addition to its physical attributes and functions of tasting, eating, speaking; its primary purpose is the dhikr of Allah Ta’ala.
This is why Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam stated,
‘…I seek refuge in Allah Ta’ala from an evil moment and from an evil companion…’ (Tabrani)
It also appears in Hadeeth that a bad friend and evil companion is worse than evil deeds. If a Mu’min commits a sin, he regrets and he is bestowed the tawfeeq to make taubah (repentance) and to purify himself. However, when he is with an evil friend then gradually the evil of sins begins to disappear. He becomes desensitised, whereby gradually, by degrees, the sin will no longer appear as a sin. Sayidunna Abu Dharr radhiyallahu anhu said
“A righteous companion is better than loneliness; and loneliness is better than an evil companion…” (Baihaqi)
Allah Ta’ala revealed to Sayidunna Dawood alayhis salam:
“O Dawood! A person who either publicises or intends to publicise the faults (and sins) of others; on the Day of Qiyaamah I will humiliate him in front of all people.”
A person only indulges in such treachery of belittling, exposing and reviling others when he is indifferent to his own faults, sins, evil and filth within himself. His takabbur (pride) and shaytaaniah (evil) have blinded him; his own cupboard is full of skeletons but he only sees the sins of others; he refuses to view his own sins. This is why Allah Ta’ala revealed to Sayidunna Dawood alayhis salam:
“O Dawood! A person who either publicises or intends to publicise the faults (and sins) of others; on the Day of Qiyaamah I will humiliate him in front of all people.”
Even if a person makes such an intention, it will be recorded in his Book of Deeds as if he has done so. This is why Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam stated,
“Whoever taunts a brother (Muslim) with a sin (which the Muslim had committed), will not die until he (the taunter) commits the same sin.” (Tirmizi Shareef)
Allah Ta’ala will create such circumstances, that the taunter will commit the same sin. Therefore, one should be extremely careful; do not speak of the sins of others; rather speak to yourself of your own sins and everybody has numerous sins.
Allah Ta’ala also revealed to Sayidunna Dawood alayhis salam the qualities of a person who is very close to Him:
“O Dawood! Whoever lowers and guards his gaze; protects his tongue; such a person is closest to me.”
The one who lowers his gaze, is the one who does not deliberately look at non-mahram; this means a male does not look at a non-mahram female and a female does not look at a non-mahram male – and this is such a rampant disease – which almost everyone indulges in.
Even those regarded as buzrugs (saintly and pious), ‘Ulama, Apa’s and Mashaa’ikh – everyone is involved in this evil deed – of men looking at non-mahram females. In addition to making a fool of himself, such a person becomes completely oblivious of the reality that Allah Ta’ala is watching him.
This is why Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam stated,
“The adultery of the eye is the (lustful) look” (Sahih Muslim)
“Looking is a poisonous arrow from the arrows of Shaytaan. Whoever lowers his gaze for the sake of Allah, He will grant him sweetness of faith that he will find in his heart.” (Al-Mu’jam al-Kabīr)
“For one of you to be stabbed in the head with an iron needle is better for him than that he should touch a woman who is not permissible for him.” (ibid.)
A person who looks with lust at a (non-mahram) female, on the Day of Qiyamah, hot iron rods will be shoved into his eyes. Therefore, when this evil desire to view arises or presents itself; immediately bring this thought and reality to mind as to what will happen to your eyes?
Everyone is involved in this filthy evil habit, whereas the remedy is very simple.
It does not require muscles; you simply move your gaze away.
In physical combat, you require strength, but in moving your gaze away no physical exertion is required. The problem is people are not prepared to struggle even a little amount; the moment the nafs (self) makes an evil desire; they give in. Obviously, if this (apathy) is the attitude; then there will never be islaah (reformation) of your nafs if you are not prepared to struggle.
The condition for being successful in your reformation (islaah) is to strive (make mujaahadah); you must struggle as Allah Ta’ala mentions in the Glorious Qur’an:
“Those who strive in our Paths; We will most assuredly guide them towards our Path.” (29:69)
Those who wage jihaad in Our Paths, against the nafs (self), Allah Ta’ala makes it easy for such a person, He opens up the way. Islaah (reformation) is not achieved by means of dhikr and du’a – the latter two bring barakah (blessings) in your efforts – however if there is no effort and no mujaahadah (struggle and opposition) then you can forget about du’a and dhikr assisting you. The condition for reformation (islaah) is jihaad (struggle against the nafs) – and this jihaad needs to be constant. The easiest way is, at time of when the evil develops, exactly at same time, do not brood on the evil; rather focus on the fact ‘Allah Ta’ala is looking at me;’ ‘the two Recording Angels (Malaa’ikah) are watching and recording my deeds.’
If you develop this perception, insha’Allah this reality will become vivid within you and then at all times, such a person will insha’Allah become alert. Then there will not be any difficulty in suppressing and defeating the nafs. With each effort and struggle the nafs is suppressed and Allah Ta’ala rewards you with a nur (radiant light) and in this manner you are constantly progressing higher and higher and this is the way to develop Taqwa by means of jihaad (struggle).
“And our final statement is that all praise belongs to Allah, Lord of the Worlds.”