Treat Your Affliction As Small As a Fly

Dealing with a spiritual affliction, illness, or any other trial can feel overwhelming at times. When difficulties persist, it can be easy to become consumed by fear, anxiety, and constant worry about what is happening behind the scenes and around you.

This is why having sound aqeedah (Islamic creed) is so important.

When a person's understanding of Allah is weak, they may begin attributing every hardship, setback, or negative experience solely to jinn, sihr, or the evil eye. In doing so, they unknowingly give excessive attention to the creation instead of the Creator. This is one of the ways Shaytan enters the heart and distracts a person from what truly matters.

Remember: Shaytan's goal is not simply to make your life difficult. His ultimate goal is to take you away from your submission to Allah, your trust in Allah, and your religion.

When a person believes that the jinn is responsible for everything happening in their life, healing becomes much more difficult.

Why?

Because they begin giving that jinn a power and influence it does not deserve.

The Prophet ﷺ taught us not to magnify Shaytan. In an authentic narration, he instructed us not to curse the devil when something happens, because Shaytan swells with pride and says, "I did it with my power." Instead, we should say "Bismillah," upon which Shaytan becomes as small as a fly.

Treat your affliction as small as a fly - as something so small before the greatness and power of Allah.

Yes, jinn, sihr, and the evil eye are real. They can affect a person by Allah's permission. However, whatever ability they have is only because Allah has allowed it, and only for a limited time and purpose.

Nothing touches you except by the decree of Allah.

Every hardship, trial, illness, delay, and difficulty occurs with Allah's complete knowledge, wisdom, and permission. Long before it reached you, it was already written.

Allah may allow a trial to purify you, elevate your rank, increase your dependence upon Him, strengthen your faith, or bring you closer to Him than you have ever been before.

If you spend all of your time blaming Shaytan for everything, you may overlook the wisdom and lessons that Allah intends for you through the trial.

Allah says:

"Indeed, the plot of Shaytan has ever been weak." (Qur'an 4:76)

The believer's focus should not be on the power of the affliction, but on the power of Allah.

Turn to Him. Trust Him. Submit to Him. Surrender your affairs to Him. Continue your treatment while strengthening your tawheed and reliance upon Allah.

And know that the One who allowed the trial is fully capable of removing it at any moment.

With sincere faith, patience, and reliance upon Allah, healing will come in the way and at the time that is best for you, in shaa Allah.

Continue focusing on your personal development, your spiritual development, your relationship with Allah and creating better habits for your life. May Allah accept all your duas and efforts and grant you ease. 

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Reference:

Abu al-Malih reported: A man said, “I was riding on a mount behind the Prophet, and it stumbled, so I said: May Satan perish!” The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Do not say: May Satan perish! If you say that, he will swell with pride until he becomes as big as a house, and he says: By my might! Rather, you should say: In the name of Allah. If you say that, he will shrink until he becomes as small as a fly.”

Source: Sunan Abī Dāwūd 4982

Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Al-Arna’ut

Imam Ibn al-Qayyim commented, “Similar to this is asking Allah to disgrace or disfigure Satan. All of this makes him happy, and he says: The son of Adam knows that I have overtaken him by my strength! This helps him in his deviance, as it has no benefit at all. Thus, the Prophet instructed whoever is touched by anything from Satan to remember Allah Almighty, to mention His name, and to seek refuge in Him, for that is more beneficial to him and more irritating to Satan.”