The Devils Deception by Imam Ibn AL-Jawzi

T H E D E V I L ' S
D E C E P T I O N S
There is no doubt that the effect of reliance appears on one who
has it during times of hardship. However, reliance does not necessitate
surrendering to the lion. In fact, it is not permissible to do so.
'Ali al-Razi was asked: Why do we not see you in the company of
Abii Talib al-Jurjani anymore? He replied: "Once we were traveling
together and slept in a place were there were many wildcats. When
he saw that I was unable to sleep (out of fear) he expelled me and
said: Never accompany me again."
This man wanted his friend to change his nature. This is beyond
his capability, and Islam does not require him to do so. Even Musa
('alqyhis-saldm) was not equal to it when he fled from the snake.
All such practice is based on ignorance
AJ::imad Ibn 'Ali al-Wajdi said: Al-Dinawari performed the pilgrimage
twelve times walking barefoot and bareheaded, when a thorn
got into his foot he would rub his foot against the ground without
bending his head, so sound was his reliance.
Look at what ignorance does to people. It is no act of obedience
to Allah to traverse that desert barefoot, which is highly injurious,
nor bareheaded; what merit is produced thereby?
Were it not obligatory to uncover the head during the pilgrim state.
And who commanded him not to pick the thorns out of his foot,
and what form of piety is involved therein? In fact, if he had died
because of his foot becoming poisoned, he would have been helping
his own destruction. And could he rub his foot against the ground
without removing some of the thorn? So, why not remove the rest
by extracting it? Where is reliance to be found in these acts which
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