Remind it……

This posting was taken from The Book of
Assistance, which is written by Imam ‘Abdallah ibn ‘Alawi Al Haddad, as resumed by Mrs. Iffath Hasan….

Whenever you notice in your soul any laziness in His worship
or inclination to disobedience, remind it that God hears and sees you, and knows your secrets and secret conversation.

If this reminding does not benefit it because of inadequacy of its knowledge of the Majesty of God, remind it of the two noble angels who record good and evil deeds.

If this reminding does not influence it, remind it of the proximity of death, that it is the nearest of all hidden and awaited things; frighten it of its sudden pouncing, whereby if it does come when it is in an unsatisfactory state it will end up in endless perdition.

If this threat is of no use, remind it of the immense reward
which God has promised those who obey Him, and the painful torment with which He has threatened those who disobey Him. Say to it: 'O soul! After death there will be no opportunity to repent, and there will be, after this life, only the Garden or the Fire. Choose, if you will, obedience, the consequence of which is triumph, contentment, immortality in vast gardens, and looking at the Face of God, the Generous, the Beneficent; or else disobedience, the consequence of which is degradation, humiliation, mockery, deprivation, and imprisonment between layers of fire.' Endeavor to cure your soul through such reminders when it neglects obedience and inclines to rebellion, for they are useful medicines for the heart's diseases……