How do we then stop the things that we are used to?
1- Mentality. It’s all about the mind. Ward off thoughts whenever it crosses the mind. Avert those thoughts to something else, don’t succumb to your desire for it will lead in doing those acts. Make a firm determination, as days passed, you’ll see it’s been days, weeks, months you’ve left them.
Ward off passing thoughts, for if you do not, they will become ideas.
Ward off ideas, for if you do not, they will become desires.
Fight the desires, for if you do not, they will become resolve and determination.
And if you do not ward them off, they will become actions.
If you do not resist them with its opposite, they will become habits.
And it will be difficult for you to get rid of them. – Ibn al-Qayyim
2- Effort. YOU have to put in the effort and Allah will help you. Self-restraint is key. Bearing patience from committing the forbidden. To endure and restrain something you love for Allah’s love. He will compensate you with something more than you can ask for and imagine.
3- Make du’a regularly, sincerely hoping your du’a will be answered by He who responds His servants calls.
A du’a taught by the messenger of Allah:
يَا مُقَلِّبَ الْقُلُوبِ ثَبِّتْ قَلْبِي عَلَى دِينِكَ
اللَّهُمَّ مُصَرِّفَ الْقُلُوبِ صَرِّفْ قُلُوبَنَا عَلَى طَاعَتِكَ
O Turner of the hearts, make my heart firm upon Your Religion.
O Allah, Turner of the hearts, direct our hearts to Your obedience. [Muslim]
It is only called the heart (al-qalb) because it changes so rapidly (yataqallib). May Allah make our hearts steadfast in adhering to the straight path.
May Allah ease us in safeguarding our ‘awrah (parts that is needed to be covered) properly and unrevealing, one that is not tight. Also in our speech from foul speech, lying and backbiting. Our eyes and thoughts. Our bodies from smoking and intoxicatants. And also from bad akhlaq(manners).
By Allah, the pleasures of this worldly life are sweet and tempting, but the sweetness in the hereafter are sweeter and everlasting. Therefore be mindful of Allah, and He will be mindful of you.
We ask Allah to make us steadfast in adhering to goodness ameen.
Tags: How to become good, How to become righteous and pious, How to increase good deeds, How to avoid sins, evil and bad thought, evil desires, temptation, How to protect from zina, fornication, adultery, backbitting,