Issue No: 269
2nd September 2016
29th Dhulqada 1437 A.H.
Salamun alaykum,
It's the barbeque season:
All around the Nation, the Country Parks, Camping sites, Common areas and sea side locations are swarmed with people who are enjoying the sweltering heat in summer. An item of fun which is not missed out on such days is the lighting of barbecues or bonfires to prepare food for eating in the open. The essential items for the day out would include matchsticks, firelighters, fuel and disposable barbecue sets.
Lighting a barbecue:
In those days when the disposable barbecue sets were not yet in use, lighting a barbecue was not as easy as it has now become. Thin, light, dry twigs would be gathered and then placed next to the pieces of coal or logs of wood for setting the fire. Then a flint or match stick would be used to light up the thin twigs whilst blowing hard over them. As the tiny flames on the twigs become larger they would set on fire the larger pieces of coal or logs of wood. Finally the flames would dance high with the coal or logs all now glowing hot. This is when the barbecue is ready......
A critical role:
The burning of the larger coal pieces is dependent on the smaller twigs. It is the setting to fire of the thin twigs that leads to the blazing of the barbecue.
The sins become a habit
One is aware of the major sins such as adultery, murder, gambling, alcohol consumption and others that invite great Divine wrath. Daily one is striving utmost to distance oneself from committing the major sins.
However there are some sins which don't need much effort and commonly they are wrongly estimated to be insignificant. Without realizing, these deeds of sin multiply in course of actions and end up becoming a habit. Some examples are such as speaking a lie, glancing at na-mahram, lack of hijab, listening to slander, participating in gossip, use of swear words, disobedience to parents and other discourteous manners.
Tricks of Shaytan:
"..the small and little sins are among the deceits and tricks of Shaytan. He makes them insignificant for you and belittles them in your eyes. So these sins get multiplied and become plenty in number thus surrounding you.." (7th Imam Musa Al Kadhim a.s.)
Beware of the 'twig sins':
It is these 'light' sins that require little effort and which are commonly considered insignificant that one falls into repeatedly doing and later they become part of one's habit. These 'light sins' can be considered like the twigs. The 'twig sins' are lethal.
Why? For they can set off the huge flames of the major sins leading one to finally end up in the barbecue of hell.
Identify your twig sin:
As you continue enjoying the blessed bounties of Ash-hurul Hurum –the sacred months- shall you not identify these 'twig sins' for yourself and be cautious of them? Will you rip these 'twig sins' off you?
Wa ma tawfiqi illa billah
With salaams and duas
Fazle Abbas Datoo
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Resident Alim
Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat