Book Review: The Devil’s Deception’s (Talbees e Iblees)
For Muslims, this book is extremely important since it guides people to closely follow the main principles of Islam. The book highlights the importance of unity in the Muslim community and the power that comes from following the Prophet Muhammad’s SAW teachings. It emphasises the idea that following these teachings and participating actively in the Muslim community are far better than trying to be an individual Muslim without community.
The warning against bringing innovations into the Deen is one of the themes that is discussed in the first few chapters. The Prophet Muhammad SAW and his Companions RA are quoted as strongly warning against such deviations and declaring that innovations will be rejected. Describing rebellious people from history, we are shown what they did and the consequences of deviating from Islam and the True Message.
The book’s discussion of the devil’s deviousness and power to manipulate us is another aspect. It draws attention to how likely people are to fall for the devil’s schemes to mislead them. Imam Jawzi asks readers to remain watchful, run to Allah for support, and ignore the devil’s waswasa (whispers). Guidance is provided when we walk on the right path, while being aware of the dangers and obstacles that the devil will naturally put in our way to lead us astray.
The idea of lying and deceit is also mentioned when comparing the guarded and unguarded heart. The explanation of the devil’s attempts to break down the defence of the guarded Muslim shows how Iman can be a brilliant mirror and a powerful defence against the devil’s schemes. The book shows the need for believers to remain alert, because the devil uses many tactics such as ignorance, lust, and heedlessness.
The book also speaks about the devil’s deception in Tawheed and the Deen. It speaks about different groups and sects that have been easily manipulated by the devil. It explains where these beliefs came from and how so many people follow them to the point that they will fight and die for these beliefs. It warns Muslims of how these could challenge their personal beliefs and cause problems in these beliefs. It not only gives room for dawah, so that the Muslim can feel empathy for such people who may not know the Truth, but also helps them to guard themselves from falling into the same traps of the devil.
The book also focuses a whole section on exposing the devil’s tricks. It explores the ways that many groups, including Sufis, secularists, naturalists, philosophers, horoscope readers, idolaters, fire worshippers, the pagan Arabs, Christians, Hindus, and Jews are misled. Every group is shown to have strayed from their actual views, because the devil deceived them and slowly made them believe something else. It begins with a small idea and grows over time until the real Truth becomes lost in the deception.
This book offers Muslims useful teachings to help them navigate their life. It serves as a reminder to uphold the Qur’an and Sunnah, avoid the devil’s temptations, and maintain unity in the Ummah. The stories and historical background throughout the book help Muslims gain a deeper understanding of the struggles the Muslim community has experienced throughout history. It tells us to strengthen our Iman and stick to the basic principles of Islam. It also helps us to look deeper at some ethical issues, cultural rituals and beliefs, and tells us to use critical thinking when looking at things that are outside of the Qur’an and Sunnah. The Qur’an is highlighted throughout since it is what we should base all our knowledge and actions on. It repeats the fact that being a Muslim that follows the Qur’an and Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad SAW not only strengthens the individual but the entire Ummah when those individuals come together to unite on them.
The book advises readers to follow the real teachings of religion and to avoid experimenting with new ideas or innovations. This is good advice, because it maintains the integrity and truth of our beliefs. It’s like following a good and trusted recipe. If you begin to change the ingredients too much, the meal will lose its original flavour and become something that cannot be called by its name and is distasteful to the people.
The devil and his attempts to persuade individuals to commit crimes or hold false beliefs is also discussed at length. Basic guidance such as being cautious and keeping Allah in mind are mentioned. Think of faith as your superhero shield, keeping you safe from the devil’s tricks. The book illustrates how views can be misguided or confused through fiction stories or even real-world instances, this could be like movies and books or success stories about famous people. It discusses several scenarios and how they make mistakes or deviate from the path.
You can begin implementing the teachings of this book in your life by preoccupying yourself with the Deen and participating in your local Muslim community and by attending masajid services or other events. Keeping Allah in mind seeking His Pleasure, studying the Qur’an and Sunnah daily is like possessing a superpower that keeps you on the right path and makes you strong against the devil’s plans to make you go astray. We should pay attention to these lessons and avoid inventing new religious rituals or beliefs.
Reviewing and thinking about the stories in the book when we are struggling or feeling lost is a good tool to guide us. We will not only live a good life when we correct our beliefs as individuals, but we can also help our brothers and sisters to do the same. This book serves as a guide to help you stay on the correct track and be your best self in the face of the challenges the devil puts in our paths and our minds.
I recommend this book for every Muslim, but especially those that grew up in different sects and want to know how they can know about the devil’s deceptions. My Abba always says that the first step to being better is to admit that you have a problem in the first place. There is nothing wrong with correcting our beliefs. It is a Noble quest.
If we were students in a class and we understood something wrong, would we be stubborn and stick to our ignorance just because it was something we were taught before or something we misunderstood? No! We would correct it and make sure we had it right, because we didn’t want to make mistakes or fail our tests. Learning the Deen is the same thing. Sometimes we make mistakes, so we must keep learning and correcting ourselves. The devil was arrogant and didn’t want to correct himself when Allah asked him to. We don’t want to be like that. We don’t want to be cursed like him. The Qur’an and Sunnah are the most important knowledge of our lives, and this life is the biggest test! We don’t have time, so we must be better now. This book can help Muslims in finding out if they have beliefs that may not be a part of Islam and how to fix these issues once and for all.
By following the guide in this book, we will live a good and simple life and help our community stay strong. The devil wants us to be disunited and not obey Allah. We cannot let him win. Books like these are weapons for us when read with sincerity.
I hope that you will read this book and use this weapon to be an even better Muslims, Insha’Allah. Please share with family and friends. May Allah SWT always guide and unite us on the Truth and protect us from the Shaytan, Ameen.
Source: https://thechoice.one/the-devils-deception-talbis-iblis-by-imam-ibn-al-jawzi-urdu-english-pdf-download/