Every once a while, someone with very high status takes a fall.  The feeding frenzy starts ....how can such a person do something like this?  No one seems too safe from taking the "Fall" -- female Astronaut, religious leaders, x-president, congressmen, and many famous stars.  Is anyone safe? Does education, social status, or religious believes matter?  Can we blame this on Satan? Can something good come out of it? 

Many centuries prior to the time of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH), there was a monk who was known among the people as a very good man who devoted all his live to worshiping God, lived in solitude in the mountains, and dedicated the rest of his life to his creator.

During a military campaign, two brothers had to leave and join with their army, but they had a younger sister, and no one to look after her during their absence.  They decided that leaving her with this monk is perhaps the best and safest idea for her well being.  They approached the monk and asked him for the favor to look after her.  He refused and did not want to get involved or take the responsibility, but they insisted, and finally convinced him.  The sister stayed in a room, kept the door closed, and from time to time, the monk would come by, and left her food by the door.

One day, the monk thought it maybe an act of kindness if he was to deliver the food inside her room.  Days passed, he continued to deliver the food in her room and began to make small conversations.  More days passed and one thing led to another, and the girl became pregnant, and then delivered her baby.  No one knew as the monk continued to live in solitude with the girl.

One day, the monk learnt that the two brothers are on their way back and the military campaign is over.  He could not face them and face his betrayal to their trust, which led him to take an action that appeared to the monk as a "good action".  He killed the girl and her baby and buried them.

Later the two brothers came to take their sister and thank the monk.  They were told the girl became very sick and died shortly after they left.  They were very sad to hear the news, but what can they do.  They thanked him for his efforts and looking after her, and went on their way.  Later, one of the brothers had a dream about his sister,  that she was killed and she had a baby from the monk.  Quickly they went back and confronted the monk, who denied everything, but one of the brothers started to dig his sister's grave, and found next to her body, another body of a small baby.

At that moment, visions came to the monk, that if he was to believe in Satan as his lord, Satan will find a way out for him and protect him from these two brothers.  He agreed and committed to Satan to worship him, but the brothers took out their swords and killed him anyway.  While the monk was in his last moments realizing that he is dying from the injuries, he was questioning the vision again, as if "you betrayed me, and never protected me as you said you would".  The monk died shortly and is in hell.

Muslims recognize the abilities of Satan to make bad things seem good at the time, and how to gradually lure us in small steps that eventually drive us completely off the straight path.  Satan understands our strength and weaknesses, and approaches every person differently than the other.  He often uses sex, money and power very successfully as part of his arsenal.  Satan's ultimate goal is to have us commit the biggest sin possible, "Disbelieve in God".  This includes the worship of people, angels, or objects as Gods, or associating others in the worship of God.

But, we can't blame Satan for every bad act that we do, after all, Allah gave us the ability to think, reason, and make choices.  He has sent to us thousands and thousands of Prophets throughout the ages, and several scriptures one after the other to guide us to the straight path.  Also, many of the sins that we may commit over and over, often Satan has absolutely nothing to do with it.  Maybe just the first time, but not every time.  For example, if you are a heavy drinker and addicted to alcohol, or if you are among the tens of millions of Americans who keep on spending collectively billions and billions of dollars in Porn making it one of America's largest industry. 

So, what is the solution?  Well, since no one is safe, the best one can do is to recognize the danger, to understand the need for Jihad within (self struggle against Satan, and your own Soul and its temptations).  In fact, Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) told us that this is the toughest Jihad and it is highly rewarded.

When you see some of your brothers or sisters that take a fall, pray for them that they will repent, and repent sincerely and quickly, so that Allah may forgive them.  Pray for them that they will learn from their mistakes and use the experience to become better human beings.  Don't take part with others who enjoy shredding them to pieces, or engage in back biting.  Ask Allah to help you find the straight path, and keep your feet steadfast.

Staff Writer:  Muslim Bridges.org