Dear Professor, there are times when we resolve not to sin and keep this in mind. When we look deeply at sin, we see its filth. But sometimes you can analyse a particular sin—you can enter into that situation and examine it, as though it were a formula or a method, whatever you want to call it. We want that formula. How can we analyse a sin? If we do, it seems the sin will have been exposed, and no one will be drawn to it again. I remember reading in one of your texts that you said someone who repeats a sin twice is, in the absence of others, a donkey. A person might repeat a sin ten times and still not realise that they have sunk to the level of a donkey. It seems to me that a person’s inner dimensions need to be set right, rather than simply hearing lots of words and advice. It is like giving a child a spoiled piece of fruit: without realising it has gone bad, the child simply eats it. Sin has the same effect on adults. Sometimes I manage to analyse a sin, and sometimes I don’t. Please advise me. َّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحيمِ
How Can We Reflect on Sin So We Do Not Repeat It?
The essence and first answer at a glance (60-word summary)
To reflect on sin and guard against repeating it, we must revive our innate nature by pondering Quranic verses such as verse 179 of Sūrat al-Aʿrāf and praying that faith be made beloved to us and disbelief and wrongdoing loathsome. If sin feels pleasurable, we should fear that the heart may have been turned upside down, and return to God through repentance and turning back to Him.
Answer by Master Ali Saei (Abdullah Meshkat)
Teacher and researcher in the intellectual tradition of wisdom and the Ahl al-Bayt | Soroush Bamdadān Cultural CenterI do not recall saying, “Anyone who repeats a sin twice is a donkey.” Rather, I said, “A donkey does not make the same mistake twice; a sinner who repeats his sin is worse than a donkey.”
The answer to your question is in this noble verse, which also accords with what you said at the beginning and end of your remarks:
الأعراف : 179 وَ لَقَدْ ذَرَأْنا لِجَهَنَّمَ كَثيراً مِنَ الْجِنِّ وَ الْإِنْسِ لَهُمْ قُلُوبٌ لا يَفْقَهُونَ بِها وَ لَهُمْ أَعْيُنٌ لا يُبْصِرُونَ بِها وَ لَهُمْ آذانٌ لا يَسْمَعُونَ بِها أُولئِكَ كَالْأَنْعامِ بَلْ هُمْ أَضَلُّ أُولئِكَ هُمُ الْغافِلُونَ
“Indeed, We have created many jinn and humans for Hell. They have hearts with which they do not understand, eyes with which they do not see, and ears with which they do not hear. They are like cattle—indeed, even more astray. They are the heedless.”
We should know that God has made sin repugnant to us and righteousness beloved to us. The least we can do is respond to the kindness of the Almighty Lord.
الحجرات : 7 وَ اعْلَمُوا أَنَّ فيكُمْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ لَوْ يُطيعُكُمْ في كَثيرٍ مِنَ الْأَمْرِ لَعَنِتُّمْ وَ لكِنَّ اللَّهَ حَبَّبَ إِلَيْكُمُ الْإيمانَ وَ زَيَّنَهُ في قُلُوبِكُمْ وَ كَرَّهَ إِلَيْكُمُ الْكُفْرَ وَ الْفُسُوقَ وَ الْعِصْيانَ أُولئِكَ هُمُ الرَّاشِدُونَ
“And know that the Messenger of God is among you. If he were to obey you in many matters, you would surely suffer hardship. But God has made faith beloved to you and adorned it in your hearts, and has made disbelief, wickedness, and sin hateful to you. Such are those who are rightly guided.”
If sin were pleasurable to us, we should fear that our hearts have been turned upside down and brought under the sway of the lower self and Satan. In that state, we must turn back through repentance and contrition, restoring our hearts to their original beauty.
اللَّهُمَّ حَبِّبْ إِلَيَّ فِيهِ الْإِحْسَانَ وَ كَرِّهْ إِلَيَّ فِيهِ الْفُسُوقَ وَ الْعِصْيَانَ وَ حَرِّمْ عَلَيَّ فِيهِ السَّخَطَ وَ النِّيرَانَ بِقُوَّتِكَ [بِعَوْنِكَ] يَا غَوْثَ [غِيَاثَ] الْمُسْتَغِيثِينَ [بِرَحْمَتِكَ يَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ] اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّد
إقبال الأعمال (ط - القديمة)، ج1، ص: 140
“O God, make goodness pleasing to me and make wrongdoing and disobedience hateful to me; forbid me Your wrath and the blazing Fire, by Your help, O Helper of those who cry out for justice.”
And may this be our constant, ever-present supplication:
اللَّهُمَّ لَا تَكِلْنَا إِلَى أَنْفُسِنَا طَرْفَةَ عَيْنٍ وَ لَا أَقَلَّ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَ لَا تَرُدَّنَا عَلَى أَعْقَابِنَا وَ لَا تُزِلَّ أَقْدَامَنَا وَ لا تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنا
“O God, do not leave us to ourselves, even for the blink of an eye—or less. Do not return us to the age of ignorance. Do not let our feet slip, and do not lead our hearts astray.”