Feelings and Intellect or Deen?

Feelings and Intellect or Deen?

In a bout of anger, he issued three talaaqs… in a frenzy of excitement, he began to jump for joy… in a fit of rage, he drew his firearm and committed a murder… in the throes of love, he bought his wife a R1 million gift… in the depths of depression, he leapt to his death and committed suicide…

The list of examples is endless; however, the point is that a person’s emotions and feelings are a most powerful force which spur a person into action.

Animals too have feelings. They feel hunger, anger, happiness, sadness, fear and many other emotions. According to the feeling they are experiencing, they display certain types of actions and behaviour.  When hungry, they eat, when tired, they sleep, and when threatened, they attack or flee.

In this regard, the difference between a human and an animal is that a human has feelings, but also has the ability to reason and understand. Hence, in situations where his emotions command him to do something, but his intellect warns him that it is detrimental for him to do it, he gives preference to his intellect over his emotions and feelings. For example, a person wishes to steal to satisfy his desires, but his intellect warns him that there is a high-risk of being caught as people are watching him, thus he will face disgrace and imprisonment, therefore he refrains from it.

However, as far as a believer is concerned, then he understands that there is a level above intellect – following the command of Allah Ta‘ala, and he understands that whatever actions he will do, he will have to give an account for them in the Hereafter. Hence, a believer is also overcome by emotions and also has an intellect which is above his emotions, but his emotions and intellect will be governed by the command of Allah Ta‘ala.

In a situation where a believer’s emotions urge him to steal, and his intellect tells him that there is no risk or danger which he faces as no one is present to watch him – he will still refrain from stealing as he is governed by the command of Allah Ta‘ala and has the fear of the Hereafter before him. However, if a disbeliever was in the same situation, he would not hesitate to steal and fulfil his desires.

Look at the loyalty of a believer to his Creator! As hungry as a Muslim may be, he ignores his hunger and refrains from eating, even though nobody is watching him, as he knows that it is the month of Ramadhaan and he is fasting for Allah Ta‘ala. As tired as he may be, he forces himself to wake up, as it is the time for the Fajr Salaah. As tantalizing and tempting as the food may smell, he refrains from eating it if it is not halaal. All this shows that he is cognisant of the fact that his entire life is governed by the command of Allah Ta‘ala and the fear of accountability in the Hereafter.

In the blessed hadeeth, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “None of you possesses (perfect) imaan until his desires conform to that (sharee‘ah and sunnah) which I have brought.” (As-Sunnah libni Abi ‘Aasim #15)

From this hadeeth we understand that Deen is not for one to follow his emotions and intellect as one feels, rather Deen is to follow the sharee‘ah and the sunnah at all times and keep one’s emotions and intellect in conformity to the sharee‘ah. If one’s feelings and intellect conform to the law of Deen, and one carries out the law of Deen, then well and good. On the contrary, if one’s feelings and intellect do not conform to the law of Deen, then one must oppose his feelings and intellect and compel his nafs (carnal self) to comply with the law of Deen.

If one only follows the laws of Deen and only practices on the sunnah when he feels like it or it appeals to his intellect, then in reality, he is not following Deen but is following his feelings and intellect. By doing so, he is not obeying and worshipping Allah Ta‘ala, but is rather obeying and worshipping himself.

There are many situations and examples which can be cited to illustrate this point, such as a person going to perform a nafl ‘umrah while leaving his aged parents at home alone, despite them requiring his assistance and care. Caring for his parents and serving them is a fardh duty, yet he neglects it because going for ‘umrah is more appealing to his feelings. Such a person has not followed Deen, but has ignored the law of Deen and has given preference to his feelings.

Contrary to this is the example of a woman who performs her salaah in the confines of her home and does not go to the masjid for salaah. She understands that this is more pleasing to Allah Ta‘ala and conforms to the burning desire that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had for the women of the Ummah to perform their salaah in their homes.

Once, Sayyidah Ummu Humaid (radhiyallahu ‘anha) came to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and said, “O Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), I long to perform salaah behind you.”

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “I am aware that you long and desire to perform salaah behind me. However, your salaah in the inner portion of your bedroom is more rewarding than your salaah in your bedroom. Your salaah in your bedroom is more rewarding than your salaah in any other part of your home. Your salaah in your home is more rewarding than your salaah in the musjid of your locality. Your salaah in the musjid of your locality is more rewarding than your salaah in my musjid (i.e. Musjidun Nabawi).”

Sayyidah Ummu Humaid (radhiyallahu ‘anha) (in compliance and obedience with the blessed desire of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)) instructed that a small area be reserved for her salaah in the innermost and darkest portion of her bedroom, and she would devotedly perform all her salaah in that area until the end of her life. (Musnad Ahmad #27090)

When Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was most pleased for the women of the Ummah to perform their salaah within their homes, thereby saving themselves from being seen by strange men, then most certainly, this is the only way of success for the women of this Ummah.

If any woman who wishes to go to the masjid is asked the reason why she wants to go to the masjid, she cannot say that it is for extra reward, as the hadeeth clearly mentions that the most rewarding salaah for her is in her bedroom. Rather, the reason will be that she wishes to go to the masjid as it makes her feel different. Thus, the sad reality is that she wishes to follow her feelings, and not the command of sharee‘ah and the sunnah.

May Allah Ta‘ala guide us all, bless us with sincerity and assist us to lead lives conforming to Deen and the sunnah, aameen.