The Devils Deception by Imam Ibn AL-Jawzi

Chapter Thirteen: The Devil's Deception ef LCfYPeople
[ 13:6 ]
Devil's Techniques in deceiving the Majority of
Laypeople
He convinced them to follow practised customs, which is the major
reason for their falling into error.
For example, they imitate their parents in following customs without
question. Some of them become fifty years old practicing what
his father used to do without thinking if this custom was good or
bad.
Another example is imitatingJews, Christians and idol worshipers.
And many Muslims only perform $a/ah as a custom. Some people
spend years praying in a manner similar to what he sees others praying;
while he does not recite al-Fritipah properly and is not aware of
the al-wefjibrit (obligations of $alrih). They do not attempt to learn
how to pray properly, yet, if one of them plans to travel he would
ask others about the details of travel.
Some people make rnku'and szgud before the Imam. I saw people
making tas/im while the Imam is doing it and before completing reciting
tashahhud.
And some of them abandon performing obligatory rituals but
perfect performing voluntary rituals.
Other people neglect to properly wash some of the wurj.ii parts,
such as the ankles. And they do not make sure that water reaches
the areas of their fingers that are beneath their rings. This makes
their wmjii invalid.
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