The Evil within us, from whom?

[Steve Consilvio]

Sister Radiyah, JazaakAllah Khair for that clarification. That is what I meant... that is why I specifically didn't use the phrase "from Allah"... I just said that the evil is there, whether from Shaytan or from our own selves. :)


However, another point to keep in mind is that everything, even the evil, happens with the PERMISSION of Allah. For example, in the story of Prophet Ayyoob (as), when Shaytaan wanted to harm to harm him, he always had to ask Allah for permission first. So the evil thought was from Shaytan, but he could only do his evil with the permission of Allah so Allah may test Prophet Ayyoob (as) and show Shaytaan that His Prophet (as) is a true believer. I hope that is more clear inshaAllah. :)

ah, but is the story of the Prophet Ayyoob an example of what to do, or an example of what not to do?


In the Old Testament, Moses kills one one the guards who mistreats the Hebrews. Because this is known, he flees. Yet God still chooses him to return and free the Jews from their bondage. Some would say that because this violence is in the Bible, therefore it is "okay" to be violent. I look at it differently, the Scriptures are full of examples (confessions really) of the mistakes that people have made, and they are documented so we can learn from them.


I see all scripture as three things simultaneously, since they all come from one God. They are Description, Instruction and Prediction. It is very important to know what you are reading. If you take a Description of error as Instruction, then you go off and repeat the error. I think this phenomenom is at the heart of all religious conflict.