This document provides an excerpt from a lesson on 'Ilm al-Akhlāq (the study of ethics) in Islam. The lesson discusses how humans have free will and the ability to either elevate their character or corrupt it. It references Quranic verses about how Iblis refused to prostrate to Adam, which led to their enmity, and how Adam and Eve disobeyed Allah by eating from the forbidden tree. The lesson emphasizes that people must strive to avoid evil influences and develop good character through obeying Allah.

1. IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, MOST COMPASSIONATE, MOST MERCIFUL. INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF ‘ ILM AL-AKHLAQ “ Verily! You (Muhammad) are upon the most exalted (Kuluq) disposition.” Using text & curriculum he has developed especially for Muslim converts and young Adult English-speaking Muslims. “ To seek knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim (male & female)” “ INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF ‘ ILM -AL-AKHLAQ ” Intermediate Level Islamic course in English for Adults conducted by Ustaz Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail LESSON # 5 – “ CONTROL OR BE CONTROLLED” All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011 )

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3. All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011) “ Consider the human self ( NAFS ), and how it is formed in accordance with what it is meant to be, and how it is imbued with moral failings as well as with consciousness of Allah! To a happy state shall indeed attain he who causes this [ NAFS - self] to grow in purity, and truly lost is he who buries it [in darkness].” ( Qur’an: Shams: 91: 7-10 ) IN PREVIOUS LESSON

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5. “ He (Allah) it is who has sent unto the unlettered people a messenger from among themselves, to convey unto them His messages, and to cause them to grow in purity, and to impart unto them the divine writ as well as wisdom - whereas before that they were indeed, most obviously, lost in error.” ( Qur’an: Jumu’ah: 62: 2 ) All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011) IN PREVIOUS LESSON

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8. “ Verily We created Man from a drop of mingled sperm, in order to try him: so We gave him (the gifts), of Hearing and Sight. We showed him the Way: whether he be grateful or ungrateful ( rests on his will ).” ( Qur’an: al-Insan: 76:2-3 ) All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011)

9. “ But nay - they who are bent on evildoing follow but their own desires , without having any knowledge (of the truth). And who could guide those whom Allah has [thus] let go astray, and who (thereupon) have none to succour them?” ( Qur’an: Rum: 30: 29 ) All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011)

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11. “ AND SO, set thy face steadfastly towards the [one ever-true] faith, turning away from all that is false, in accordance with the natural disposition ( FITwRAH ) which Allah has instilled into man: [for,] not to allow any change to corrupt what Allah has thus created this is the [purpose of the one] ever-true faith; but most people know it not.-” ( Qur’an: Rum: 30: 30 ) All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011)

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15. “ Verily never will Allah change the condition of a people until they change it themselves (within their own souls/selves).” ( Qur’an: ar-Ra’d: 13: 11 ) All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011)

16. “ That is because Allah would not change a favour which He had bestowed upon a people until they change what is within themselves. And indeed, Allah is Hearing and Knowing.” ( Qur’an: Anfal: 8: 53 ) All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011)

19. “ And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, 'If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favour]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.” ( Qur’an: Ibrahim: 14: 7 ) All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011)

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22. “ Thereupon Adam received words [of guidance] from his Sustainer, and He accepted his repentance : for, verily, He alone is the-Acceptor of Repentance, the Dispenser of Grace. [For although] We did say, "Down with you all from this [state] ," there shall, none the less, most certainly come unto you guidance from Me : and those who follow My guidance need have no fear, and neither shall they grieve;” ( Qur’an: Baqarah: 2: 37-38 ) All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011)

24. All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011) “ O you who have attained to faith! Surrender yourselves wholly unto Allah, and follow not Satan's footsteps, for, verily, he is your open foe.” ( Qur’an: Baqarah: 2: 208 )

28. “ [And Allah] said: "What has kept thee from prostrating thyself when I commanded thee?" Answered [Iblis]: "I am better than he: Thou hast created me out of fire, whereas him Thou hast created out of clay.” ( Qur’an: A’raf: 7: 12 ) All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011)

29. “ [Allah] said: "Down with thee, then, from this [state] -for it is not meet for thee to show arrogance here! Go forth, then: verily, among the humiliated shalt thou be!“ ( Qur’an: A’raf: 7: 13 ) All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011)

30. “ Said [Iblis]: "Grant me a respite till the Day when all shall be raised from the dead.“ [And Allah] replied: "Verily, thou shalt be among those who are granted a respite." ( Qur’an: A’raf: 7: 14-15 ) All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011)

31. “ [Whereupon Iblis] said: "Now that Thou hast thwarted me," shall most certainly lie in ambush for them all along Thy straight way , and shall most certainly fall upon them openly as well as in a manner beyond their ken, and from their right and from their left: and most of them Thou wilt find ungrateful .“ ( Qur’an: A’raf: 7: 16-17 ) All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011)

32. “ [And Allah] said: "Go forth from here, disgraced and disowned! [And] as for such of them as follow thee - I will most certainly fill hell with you all!" ( Qur’an: A’raf: 7: 18 ) All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011)

33. “ ‘ And [as for thee], O Adam', dwell thou and thy wife in this garden, and eat, both of you, whatever you may wish; but do not approach this one tree , lest you become evildoers!” ( Qur’an: A’raf: 7: 19 ) All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011)

34. “ Thereupon Satan whispered unto the two with a view to making them conscious of their nakedness, of which [hitherto] they had been unaware; and he said: "Your Sustainer has but forbidden you this tree lest you two become [as] angels, or lest you live forever.” ( Qur’an: A’raf: 7: 20 ) All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011)

35. “ And he (Iblis) swore unto them, "Verily, I am of those who wish you well indeed!"” ( Qur’an: A’raf: 7: 21 ) All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011)

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37. “ .. and thus he (Iblis) led them on with deluding thoughts. But as soon as the two had tasted [the fruit] of the tree, they became conscious of their nakedness ; and they began to cover themselves with pieced-together leaves from the garden. And their Sustainer called unto them: "Did I not forbid that tree unto you and tell you, `Verily, Satan is your open foe'?" ( Qur’an: A’raf: 7: 22 ) All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011)

38. “ The two replied: "O our Sustainer! We have sinned against ourselves -and unless Thou grant us forgiveness and bestow Thy mercy upon us, we shall most certainly be lost!“ * ( Qur’an: A’raf: 7: 23 ) All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011) ROB-BANAA - ZOLAM-NAA ANFUSANAA - WA-IN-LAM-TAGH-FIR-LANAA WA-TAR- H AM-NAA – LANAKUU-NAN-NA – MINAL- KH O-SI-REEN *

39. “ Said He (Allah): "Down with you, [and be henceforth] enemies unto one another, having on earth your abode and livelihood for a while : there shall you live" - He added - "and there shall you die, and thence shall you be brought forth [on Resurrection Day]!" ( Qur’an: A’raf: 7: 24-25 ) All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011)

40. “ O CHILDREN of Adam! Indeed, We have bestowed upon you from on high [the knowledge of making] garments to cover your nakedness , and as a thing of beauty: but the garment of Allah – TAQWA: consciousness (and fear of Allah) is the best of all . Herein lies a message from Allah, so that man might take it to heart." ( Qur’an: A’raf: 7: 26 ) All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011)

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42. “ O CHILDREN of Adam! Do not allow Satan to seduce you in the same way as he caused your ancestors to be driven out of the garden: he deprived them of their garment [TAQWA -of God-consciousness] in order to make them aware of their nakedness . Verily, he and his tribe are lying in wait for you where you cannot perceive them! Verily, We have placed [all manner of] satanic forces near unto those who do not [truly] believe;" ( Qur’an: A’raf: 7: 26 ) All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011)

43. (SUPPLICATION) TAUGHT BY IMAM HABIB ‘ABDULLAH ALHADDAD IN KITAB “ “ based on As-SUNNAH. DU’A All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011)

44. (SUPPLICATION) TAUGHT BY IMAM HABIB ‘ABDULLAH ALHADDAD IN KITAB “ “ based on As-SUNNAH. DU’A “ O Allah! You have place upon us an enemy who can see our privacy and our shortcomings, whereas he and his kind spy upon us from places which we are unable to see them. O Allah! Disappoint their hopes towards us, just as You have made them disappointed in hoping to get Your Blessings. Make them despair (in attaining their plans) towards us, just as You made them despair from seeking Your Forgiveness. Keep them away (distance) from us, just as You made them to be far-away (distance) from Your Paradise. Verily, You (O Allah) is Most Powerful over everything.” All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011)

45. “ ... and [so,] whenever they commit a shameful deed, they are wont to say, "We found our forefathers doing it," and, “Allah has enjoined it upon us." Say: "Behold, never does Allah enjoin deeds of abomination. Would you attribute unto Allah something of which you have no knowledge?” ( Qur’an: A’raf: 7: 28 ) All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011)

46. “ Say: "My Sustainer has [but] enjoined the doing of what is right ( QISTw ) ; and [He desires you to] put your whole being into every act of worship , and to call unto Him , sincere in your faith in Him alone. As it was He who brought you into being in the first instance, so also [unto Him] you will return:” ( Qur’an: A’raf: 7: 29 ) All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011)

47. “ ... some [of you] He will have graced with His guidance, whereas, for some a straying from the right path will have become unavoidable: for, behold, they will have taken [their own] evil impulses for their masters in preference to Allah, thinking all the while that they have found the right path!” ( Qur’an: A’raf: 7: 30) All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011)

51. SAY: “[Thus speaks Allah:] ‘O you servants of Mine who have transgressed against your own selves! Despair not of Allah’s mercy : behold, Allah forgives all sins - for, verily, He alone is much-forgiving, a dispenser of grace!’ “ ( Qur’an: Zumar: 39: 53 ) All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011)

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53. “ O you who have attained to faith! Turn unto Allah in sincere repentance: it may well be that your Sustainer will efface from you your bad deeds, and will admit you into gardens through which running waters flow, on a Day on which Allah will not shame the Prophet and those who share his faith: their light will spread rapidly before them, and on their right; [and] they will pray: "O our Sustainer! Cause this our light to shine for us forever, and forgive us our sins: for, verily, Thou hast the power to will anything!“ ( Qur’an: Tahrim: 66: 8 ) All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011)

54. Excepted, however, shall be they who repent and attain to faith and do righteous deeds : for it is they whose [erstwhile] bad deeds Allah will transform into good ones - seeing that Allah is indeed much-forgiving, a dispenser of grace, and seeing that he who repents and [thenceforth] does what is right has truly turned unto Allah by [this very act of] repentance.“ ( Qur’an: Furqan: 25: 70-71 ) All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011) TO BE CONTINUED ...

55. “ O Allah! Make us see the Truth to be true and grant us the ability to follow it. And make us see Falsehood to be false and grant us the ability to reject it.” All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011)

56. O Allah! There is none who can withhold what You send, nor send whatever You withhold All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011)

57. Neither can they guide whom You leave astr ay Nor can they lead astray whom You have guided All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011)

58. Neither can they give whatever You deprive, nor can they deprive to whom You give All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011)

59. Neither (can any) draw closer those whom You cast, nor (can any) be cast those whom You draw closer All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011)

60. O Allah! Bestow upon us from Your blessings, and Your mercy, and Your grace and Your provisions. All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011)

61. O Allah! I ask You for the eternal delight (favours) that never ends nor fades away. All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011)

62. O Allah! I ask You for provisions (favours) on the Day of deprivation (Hereafter), and the safety on the Day of fear (Judgement Day). All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011)

63. O Allah! I seek refuge with You from the evil repercussions of what You have given us and from the evil of what You have deprived us of. All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011)

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65. "Our Lord, do not impose blame upon us if we have forgotten or erred. Our Lord, and lay not upon us a burden like that which You laid upon those before us. Our Lord, and burden us not with that which we have no ability to bear. And pardon us; and forgive us; and have mercy upon us. You are our protector, so give us victory over the disbelieving people." All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011)

66. O Allah! Make faith ( iiman ) dear to us and beautify it in our hearts and make disbelief ( Kufr ), sinning ( Fusuq ) and rebelliousness ( `isyan ) hateful to us, and make us among the rightly guided ( Raa-shi-duun ). All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011)

67. O Allah! Allow us to die as Muslims, live as Muslims and join us with the ranks of the righteous ones, without tasting humiliation or turmoil. All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011)

68. ‘ And (may All a h send) salutations and prayers upon Mu h ammad and upon the household and companions of Mu h ammad (the pure ones of his family and all the loyal followers). All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011)

69. “ Glory to thy Lord the Lord, of Honour and Power! (He is free) from what they ascribe (to Him)! And Peace on the Messengers! And praise to Allah, the Lord and Cherisher of the Worlds.” All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011)

70. http://an-naseehah.blogspot.com/ http://introductiontotauhid.blogspot.com/ http://oyoubelievers.blogspot.com/ http://al-amthaal.blogspot.com/ http://zhulkeflee-archive.blogspot.com/ http://criteriaforaholybook-quran.blogspot.com/ http://with-the-truthful.blogspot.com/ http ://muqaddam-nurul.blogspot.com/ All welcome to visit my web-blog: All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011)