Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And We have already sent Messengers before you to their peoples, and they came to them with clear evidences; then We took retribution from those who committed crimes, and incumbent upon Us was support of the believers.} [Quran 30:47]

The Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, were keen on knowing the temptations in order to learn the way of salvation and they did so from the Messenger of Allah . The great Companion Huthayfah, may Allah be pleased with him, would frequently ask the Prophet about evil so that he would avoid it.

In a Hadeeth (narration) on his authority he said,

“People used to ask the Messenger of Allah about good and I used to ask him about evil for fear that it would befall me. Hence, I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, we were in a state of ignorance and evil, then Allah brought us this good. Will there be any evil after this good?’ The Prophet said: ‘Yes’. Huthayfah, may Allah be pleased with him, asked, ‘Will there be any good after that evil?’ He said: ‘Yes, but it would be tainted with Dakhan (i.e., intermixed with evil).’

I asked, ‘What will its Dakhan be?’ He said: ‘There will be some people who will guide (people) according to something other than my guidance and will lead them according to something other than my Sunnah (tradition). You will see their actions and disapprove of them.’ Huthayfah, may Allah be pleased with him, said, ‘Will there be any evil after that good?’ He said: ‘Yes, there will be some people who will invite others to the doors of Hell, and whoever accepts their invitation will be thrown in it (by them).’

Huthayfah, may Allah be pleased with him, said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, describe those people to us.’ He said: ‘They will be from among us and speak our language (i.e., from among the Arabs).’ Huthayfah, may Allah be pleased with him, asked, ‘What do you command me to do if I witness that?’ He said: ‘Adhere to the community of Muslims and their leader.’ Huthayfah asked, ‘What if they have neither a community nor a leader?’ He said: ‘Keep away from all those different sects, even if you have to bite on (i.e. eat) the root of a tree, until you die while you are still in that state.’” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

c- Loving desires and the dominance of desires, including the desire for eating, sex, offspring, money, position and the subsequent attitudes of flattering, ostentation, bribing, loving to show off and staying silent about the truth.

All these desires are temptations unless one fears Allah The Almighty. This is because the true believer will not speak, move or look unduly, because he is certain that he will be questioned about his hearing, sight and heart.

Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And of the people is he who worships Allah on an edge. If he is touched by good, he is reassured by it; but if he is struck by trial, he turns on his face [to the other direction]. He has lost [this] world and the Hereafter. That is what is the manifest loss.} [Quran 22:11]

So, sister, beware lest you should like for yourself and for your family to live on the margin, pursuing desires, or be satisfied with the minor transient pleasures of the world, and decline what Allah The Almighty has prepared for His righteous slaves in the world and the Hereafter. That is because Allah The Almighty likes what is sublime and hates what is trivial.

Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {O you who have believed, indeed, among your wives and your children are enemies to you, so beware of them. But if you pardon and overlook and forgive - then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. Your wealth and your children are but a trial, and Allah has with Him a great reward. So fear Allah as much as you are able and listen and obey and spend [in the way of Allah]; it is better for your selves. And whoever is protected from the stinginess of his soul - it is those who will be the successful.} [Quran 64:14-16]

d- Committing sins and misdeeds and violating sanctities. This leads to widespread loss of life, murder, loss of integrity and trust, withholding rights, consuming Riba (interest), consuming the wealth of orphans, consuming the wealth of others illegally, not paying Zakah (purifying alms), drinking alcohol, neglecting Hijab (Islamic covering), committing adultery and sodomy, in addition to other forms of immorality. Allah The Almighty Says (what means):

• {So let those beware who dissent from the Prophet's order, lest Fitnah strike them or a painful punishment.} [Quran 24:63]
• {Corruption has appeared throughout the land and sea by [reason of] what the hands of people have earned so He may let them taste part of [the consequence of] what they have done that perhaps they will return [to righteousness]. Say, [O Muhammad], “Travel through the land and observe how was the end of those before. Most of them were associators [of others with Allah].} [Quran 30:41-42]

In a Hadeeth (narration) on the authority of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, he said that the Messenger of Allah said: “Woe unto the Arabs because of an impending evil! Successful is the one who restrains his hand (i.e. from being involved in fighting at the times of Fitnah).” [Saheeh]

Allah The Almighty Is merciful to us and we supplicate Him not to punish us for the actions committed by the foolish people who live among us.

e- Loving the world and having a strong inclination to it. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And do not extend your eyes toward that by which We have given enjoyment to [some] categories of them, [its being but] the splendor of worldly life by which We test them. And the provision of your Lord is better and more enduring. And enjoin prayer upon your family [and people] and be steadfast therein. We ask you not for provision; We provide for you, and the [best] outcome is for [those of] righteousness.} [Quran 20:131-132]

In a Hadeeth (narration) on the authority of Thawbaan, may Allah be pleased with him, he said that the Messenger of Allah said: “People will soon summon one another to attack you as people, when eating, invite others to share their dish" Someone said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! Will that be because of our small number at that time?' He said: ‘No, you will be numerous at that time, but you will be like the scum left behind after a flood. Weakness will be put in your hearts, and terror will be removed from the hearts of your enemies, because you love the world and hate death.’ [Saheeh]

Duties of Muslim Women During Times of Fitnah - I