Unveiling the Devil's Deception and the Dangers of Miniature Sins

Like the example of Satan when he says to man, “Disbelieve.” But when he disbelieves, he says, “Indeed, I am disassociated from you. Indeed, I fear Allāh, Lord of the worlds.” — Qur’an 59[Al-Hashr]:16

In the realm of Islamic teachings, the concept of sin holds great significance. While major sins are often well-known and cautioned against, the subtlety of miniature sins often escapes our notice. No one attains the peak of spirituality and righteousness through sinfulness, without sincere repentance. This is why believers are called upon not only to avoid major sins but also to be vigilant against the subtleties of minor sins.

The Quran and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ shed light on the insidious nature of these seemingly insignificant transgressions, revealing the far-reaching consequences they may have on an individual’s faith and spiritual well-being. This article delves into an understanding of the devil’s deception and sheds light on the dangers posed by seemingly insignificant sins in the eyes of people.

The Tactics

Shaytan is an open enemy to man and this is why Allah warned us in several verses to be wary of his tricks. The same methodology that he used to prank our forefather Adam is still in existence with more sophistication. It’s only that it takes a gradual process, one leading to the other.

And he [Shaitân (Satan)] swore by Allâh to them both (saying): “Verily, I am one of the sincere well-wishers for you both.” So he misled them with deception. Then when they tasted of the tree, that which was hidden from them of their shame (private parts) became manifest to them and they began to cover themselves with the leaves of Paradise (to cover their shame). And their Lord called out to them (saying): “Did I not forbid you that tree and tell you: Verily, Shaitân (Satan) is an open enemy unto you?” — Qur’an 7[Al-’Araf]:21–22

• The Gradual Deceit: The devil employs a gradual approach to deceive humans. Miniature sins often begin with a whisper and then are dismissed as inconsequential. These are tools the devil uses to slowly distance individuals from the path of righteousness into a rabbit hole.
• The Gradual Descent: Once the devil successfully puts you into the rabbit hole, it takes the mercy of Allah to get out of it. One sin leads to the other and before you know it, you’re gradually transforming into a professional sinner. Allah’s Apostle ﷺ warned us about this scenario thus:

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, ﷺ said, “Verily, when the servant commits a sin, a black mark appears upon his heart. If he abandons the sin, seeks forgiveness, and repents, then his heart will be polished. If he returns to the sin, the blackness will be increased until it overcomes his heart. It is the covering that Allah has mentioned: No, rather a covering is over their hearts from what they have earned.” (83:14) — Sunan al-Tirmidhī 3334

• The Gradual Impact: Miniature sins may seem insignificant, but when left unchecked, they can lead to a gradual decline in one’s moral and spiritual well-being. The danger lies in underestimating the impact of seemingly minor sins. These sins, if not repented for, may pave the way for more grievous transgressions. Over time, these miniature sins can erode the purity of the heart, making it susceptible to the major sins. This is why the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ cautioned us about the dangers of smaller sins piling up in this famous narration thus:

“Beware! There is a piece of flesh in the body; if it becomes good, the whole body becomes good, and if it becomes corrupt, the whole body becomes corrupt. That piece of flesh is the heart” — Sahih al-Bukhari.

• The Gradual Accumulation: As one continues to dwell in sins and transgressions without repentance, they can accumulate and lead to spiritual erosion over time. The devil succeeds in making us delay or forget repentance while having incessant hopes. An illustrative story will be shared up next for us to understand the severity of these acts. Allah’s Apostle ﷺ cautioned us in a hadith narrated below:

On the authority of Abu Huraira, who reported that Allah’s Apostle said: “Beware of the minor sins, for they add up until they destroy the person — Bukhari and Muslim.”

The Story of Barsisa

The story of Barsisa is a cautionary tale mentioned in Islamic tradition to highlight the dangers of succumbing to miniature sins and the importance of maintaining one’s commitment to the path of righteousness. While the story is not explicitly found in the Qur’an, it is narrated in various ahadith, and its root source is traced to the israiliyaat.

The full narrative can be found here but its summary goes as follows:

Barsisa was a devout worshiper and monk who lived in a monastery. He was known for his piety and asceticism. Three brothers from a nearby village left their sister in Barsisa’s care owing to her illness. Barsisa agreed to look after the sister, but over time, he allowed the whisperings from Shaytan to drop his guard, and he began to entertain sinful thoughts.

Shaytan seized this opportunity to exploit Barsisa’s weaknesses. He whispered doubts and desires into Barsisa’s heart, leading him astray. Eventually, Barsisa committed the grave sin of fornication with the woman under his care. Realizing the enormity of his transgressions, Barsisa became deeply distressed and fearful of the consequences.

The woman got pregnant and later had a baby. Shaytan then appeared to Barsisa in the guise of a wise advisor, suggesting that Barsisa should kill the woman and her child to hide his sin. The misguided Barsisa, thinking he was following the advisor’s counsel for the greater good, committed the heinous act of murdering both the mother and child.

Later, when the three brothers returned, Shaytan, in the guise of a man, approached them and informed them that Barsisa had killed their sister and her child. The grieving brothers were understandably furious, and they sought revenge. They went to the monastery and found out indeed the man whom they entrusted their sister to, had murdered her. While they sought to kill Barsisa, Shaytan came to him again and told him

They then took him and were about to crucify him. When they had him on the wooden cross, Shaytan said to Barsisa, “You know that I am your companion who tempted you by the woman until you got her pregnant and you killed her and her son. If you obey me today and deny Allah, who formed and shaped you, I will rescue you from your predicament.” Barsisa then believed him again and belied Allah. At this point, Shaytan departed from being with him and the brothers were able to crucify him.”

The Lessons and Wayforward

When Prophet Muhammad ﷺ narrated this story to his companions, he emphasized the moral lessons. The key takeaway from the story of Barsisa includes the dangers of giving in to temptation, the significance of guarding one’s faith, and the severe consequences of straying from the path of righteousness. Here are some derivable lessons we can learn and implement:

1. Vigilance in Faith: As Muslims, the story reminds us to maintain our commitment to Islamic principles and remain vigilant against trodding the footpaths of Shaytan.
2. The Deceptive Nature of Sin: We saw how miniature sins can start with seemingly small actions and gradually escalate. This emphasizes the deceptive nature of sin and the importance of resisting even minor transgressions to prevent a downward spiral into the rabbit hole of major wrongdoing.
3. The Impact of Small Compromises: Barsisa’s initial good intentions became tainted through a series of small compromises. This teaches us the importance of avoiding any compromise in religious principles, as small deviations can lead to significant consequences.
4. The Role of Shaytan: Shaytan showed his cunning nature and was persistent in leading Barsisa astray. The story serves as a reminder of the constant spiritual struggle we face and the need to seek refuge in Allah from the whispers of Shaytan.
5. The Mercy of Allah: If only Barsisa realized his errors and sought repentance from Allah, he would have earned His mercy and forgiveness. No matter how far one has strayed, sincere repentance and seeking forgiveness can lead to redemption and Allah’s mercy.

Islam is one sure faith filled with hope for the believers. Allah’s mercy is vast and all-encompassing. This emphasizes the importance of turning to Allah in repentance and seeking His forgiveness, as He is the Most Merciful Lord. Allah says in Suratul Az-Zumar Qur’an 39 verse 53 assuring the believers thus:

“Say, ‘O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.’”

In sum, understanding the devil’s deception and the dangers of miniature sins requires a heightened sense of spiritual awareness. Muslims are reminded to be vigilant in their actions, seeking forgiveness for even the smallest transgressions. By acknowledging the subtlety of sin and the potential for its cumulative impact, believers can strive for a heart that remains pure and steadfast in the face of the devil’s deceit. May Allah grant us the wisdom to recognize the dangers of sin and the strength to resist the temptations of Shaytan.

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Yaumul Jumah 15th Rajab 1445H // Friday 26th January 2024

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