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The Price of Unlawful Paths: Reflections on Parenthood and Shaytan's Deception

Case Narrative

A long time ago, a woman in her forties brought a boy, about 7 to 8 years old, to me for Ruqyah. She confessed that she no longer understood his behavior. Out of frustration, both at home and in school, the boy had been severely beaten and punished countless times.

She explained that if she allowed him freedom, he would begin eating all the papers on my table. His school teachers had also punished him severely for eating pencils, notebooks, and other writing materials belonging to his classmates. What shocked me most was when she said: “If he enters a garden, he will begin eating grasses and other unpleasant things.”

I was surprised, because I had never encountered such a case in my years of experience.

When I began Ruqyah, the Jinn within him spoke in less than two minutes. He identified himself as Shaytan and ordered me to stop. Then he said: “Why are you interfering in what does not concern you? Ask his mother what she did before she gave birth to this child. She came to me, seeking a child, and I told her she could manage with my child. But she refused and promised to manage him. How then do you expect such a child to behave?”

The Jinn went further to reveal the secret practices the woman engaged in before and after her pregnancy. These included eating at midnight (Àsèje jíje, Ebu Lílá around 1am, e.t.c); bathing outside at midnight (1am), at times with different incantations; distributing gifts to underage children (known as Saara); e.t.c. All these were rituals dictated by the Jinn as conditions for her to deliver safely.

AlhamduliLlāh, after intensive Ruqyah, the boy was eventually freed from the Shaytan. Today, he lives peacefully with his mother.

Lessons from the Case

This experience contains several timeless lessons for Muslims, especially those navigating the challenges of parenthood, infertility, and spiritual struggles:

1. Be cautious of unlawful means of seeking children: Islam teaches patience, reliance on Allah, and lawful efforts when desiring offspring. Resorting to practices rooted in superstition, shirk, or dealings with Jinn only brings long-term suffering and consequences for both parents and children. Allah says: “And do not approach unlawful acts. Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way.” (Qur’an 17:32).

2. The danger of desperation in times of trial: Infertility and delayed childbirth are tests from Allah. However, many Muslims, out of desperation, fall into traps set by sorcerers, magicians, or direct dealings with Jinn. Such desperation, instead of providing relief, only enslaves the person further to the very agents of Shaytan they sought help from.

3. Jinn can influence human behavior: The boy’s uncontrollable urge to eat paper, pencils, and even grass was not a medical condition but a spiritual affliction. This demonstrates how Jinn possession manifests through unusual, unexplained behaviors. When medical diagnoses fail, Islam encourages lawful spiritual remedies such as Ruqyah, dhikr, and prophetic medicine.

4. Parents’ actions affect their children: The spiritual decisions parents make, even before childbirth, can have lasting consequences on their offspring. Just as piety and supplication bring blessings, unlawful practices and dealings with Jinn can transfer harm to innocent children.

5. The importance of authentic Ruqyah: Not every healer or exorcist operates upon the Sunnah. Muslims must be vigilant and ensure they only seek Ruqyah from those who follow Qur’an and Sunnah, without engaging in dubious practices. A true Islamic healer will never request items like hair, clothing, or the mother’s name, nor perform seclusion with women.

6. Patience and reliance upon Allah: True relief and healing come only from Allah. The case of this boy reminds us that no matter the hardship, Muslims must seek lawful remedies, make constant du‘ā’, and trust in Allah’s wisdom and timing. Allah says: “And whoever fears Allah, He will make for him a way out. And will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allah then He is sufficient for him.”(Qur’an 65:2-3)

Conclusion

The story of this boy should serve as a warning and a lesson for all Muslims. In seeking solutions to life’s challenges, whether infertility, illness, or any other trial, we must guard against walking paths that contradict Islamic teachings. Shaytan often exploits human desperation to lead people into sin and bondage.

As Muslims, let us hold firmly to the Qur’an and Sunnah, practice patience, and seek lawful means. May Allah protect us and our offspring from the whispers of Shaytan, grant us sound faith, and bless us with righteous children who will be the coolness of our eyes.

We seek refuge in Allah from the evils of Jinn and men.

• Musa Akintola is the CEO of Al Awwal Multi Ventures, Home of Prophetic Medicine, located in the Muslim Area of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. He can be contacted via akintolamusalekan@gmail.com.