Be A GOOD MUSLIM

Leaving Haram, Facing Shaytan

Shaytan's Tricks: The Silent War on Your Soul

If you've just left behind haram fiction, music, series-or even some friendships-expect Shaytan to come crawling back. But he won't come with horns and a pitchfork. No. He'll come in the form of innocent thoughts, subtle excuses, and even your own desires.

Let's talk about how he works.

We all want to live a life free of regret, shame, and loss. But we often forget that the biggest enemy plotting against us isn't just our nafs-it's Shaytan. His mission is simple: to take as many souls with him to Hell as he can. And he doesn't sleep. He works relentlessly while we scroll, binge-watch, or even lie down in guilt after sinning.

But why don't we fight him with the same energy?

For two reasons:

1. Some of us don't take Shaytan seriously.
We think, "I'm making my own choices. Shaytan has nothing to do with it."

2. Others think we're helpless against him.
"Well, he's too powerful. I fell into sin-what can I do? It's all Shaytan's fault anyway."

But both of these mindsets are traps. Because Allah didn't leave us clueless. He exposed Shaytan's plots in the Qur'an and Sunnah, so we can recognize and resist his whispers.

Shaytan can't control you. He can only whisper. He injects thoughts-"Waswasah"-into the heart. Whether we act on those thoughts or not? That's our test. That's our responsibility.

Allah tells us clearly:

"And Shaytan will say when the matter has been concluded, 'Indeed, Allah had promised you the promise of truth. And I promised you-but I betrayed you. I had no authority over you except that I invited you, and you responded to me. So do not blame me; blame yourselves.'"
(Surah Ibrahim: 22)

Step-by-Step Deception: Shaytan's Strategy

Let's go deep into his tactics.

1. He starts with distractions from what's best

Shaytan is sly. He won't tell you to miss salah outright. He'll offer you a "better idea." You'll think, "Let me clean my room first so I can pray in peace." Sounds noble, right?

But then you get hot, so you take a shower. After that, maybe a cup of tea. Then a phone call. Before you know it, salah time is gone-or rushed through with a distracted heart.

You didn't commit a major sin. You did a series of "good things." But the best thing-salah-was neglected.

This is how he starts. If you allow this repeatedly, Shaytan levels up.

2. Then he beautifies "small sins"

You pick up that same phone again-this time, you start gossiping. You backbite. You joke at someone's expense. It feels light. No guilt.

Shaytan whispers, "It's nothing. You've done worse. At least you're not committing zina."

Step by step, you get desensitized. From small sins to bigger ones. From guilty heart to hardened heart.

Shaytan doesn't ask for a leap into haram. He walks you there slowly-one foot at a time.

3. Then he plays with your iman (faith)

He places doubts:
"Why do you even pray? Is Allah really listening?"
"How can you know what's true in religion?"
"Who created God?"

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
"The Shaytan comes to one of you and says, 'Who created this? Who created that?' Until he says, 'Who created your Lord?' So when he reaches this point, let him seek refuge with Allah and stop."
(Sahih Muslim)

Don't entertain these thoughts. Block the spiral. Say A'udhu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajim. Walk away.

4. He blocks you from good deeds

Even when you try to change, he blocks you-emotionally, mentally, and socially.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) narrated how Shaytan tries to stop a believer at every stage of spiritual progress:

When someone wants to embrace Islam: "Are you going to abandon your ancestors' religion?"

When one wants to make Hijrah: "Are you leaving your land and people?"

When one wants to strive in jihad: "You'll die, your wife will remarry, and your wealth will be lost."

And the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"Whoever disobeys Shaytan at each of these stages, for him is Jannah."
(Narrated in Ibn Hibban and others, Hasan)

Every time you decide to grow-expect resistance. The moment you choose to change, he chooses to chase.

Ever wondered why it's hard to pray Tahajjud? Or why guilt drowns you after sincere repentance? Why laziness hits right before an Islamic lecture?

It's not weakness. It's war.

Allah exposed Shaytan's strategy:

"Because You have put me in error, I will sit in wait for them on Your straight path. Then I will come to them from before them and behind them, from their right and from their left-and You will not find most of them grateful."
(Surah al-A'raf: 16-17)

He sits on the straight path-not the haram one. Shaytan targets those heading toward Allah. So if you feel attacked now that you're leaving haram, it means you're finally on the right road.

So what can you do?

Recognize the pattern. Know his traps. Be honest when you feel that whisper.

Don't delay your best deeds. When it's time to pray, pray.

Don't downplay "minor sins." They gather and harden the heart.

Combat thoughts with dhikr. "A'udhu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajim" is your shield.

Don't stop when it gets hard. That's proof you're doing something right.

Surround yourself with good reminders. Leave the company of distractions. Shaytan works through certain people too.

And remember-Shaytan may plan, but Allah is the Best of Planners. He is with you if you fight for Him. Even if you fall-get up. Tawbah wipes everything. Allah loves the ones who turn back.

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A Heartfelt Note to You, Dear Reader:

If you've started to leave haram fiction, music, series, or toxic friendships-don't give up. That voice calling you back isn't your own. It's your enemy, Shaytan, dressing sin in glitter and ease.

But you're stronger. You've been chosen by Allah to recognize the truth. Keep walking toward Him. The whispers will weaken. The light will get brighter.

And soon, you'll see: what you left behind was never worth what Allah is bringing you to.

Only Allah Ta'ala knows best.
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السلام علیکم ورحمة الله وبرکاته

May Allah guide and help us all. Please remember me and the entire Muslim Ummah in your du'as.

@Slave_of_Ar-Rahman