Breaking Bad by Suhaib Webb

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Khutba Cliff Notes

Theology of Breaking Bad (Avoiding Becoming Walter)

1. Understand choices - "Indeed we showed him to the way (of truth)...."

2. There is no moral neutrality - Choices breed consequences for the soul and life. "Every soul will bear its burden."

3. Test and trials cannot be address with narcissism. Walter said, "For once I want a say in this," but submission. The first leads to calamity, the second leads to futuhaat.

4. Sin and moral decline are a slow burn - don't underestimate thoughts. Breaking bad took 5 seasons. Al-Ghazzali said, "Zina starts in the mind." Ibn al-Qayyim said that Satan "Is forebearing; he will wait to catch you when you are weak."

5. Trust in Allah means through the good and the bad - hardships should not be used as an excuse. "Fear Allah wherever you are." Wherever you are means you physical, spiritual and mental states must be aware that, "At least you know God see you!"

6. Understand the value of the Hereafter vs. This life. If that is there, Walter will never exist. "Paradise is surrounded by difficulties."

7. Sins are a slippery slope - once you fall in, it is hard to get out. Walter got better and still sold meth. In the Qu'ran we find the story of people whose boat was rocked by a storm and "supplicated to God in earnest" but, when they were saved, "Ran through the earth in insolence."

8. Blessings can be curses if they are not met with a renewed commitment to God. Walter's wealth is a curse as is health and other niam. It is not so much about what, buy who it is used. Even the Qur'an can be a potential threat to a person, "The Qur'an is a proof for you or against you." Hadith

Moral decline is based on a few things - often intangibles - Fear, Illness, Doubt and Desires. Fight them with knowledge, ihsan, love good friends (Walter was a loner and Jesse needs loves), and understanding the value of the Hereafter.

The following formula plays out in our lives every day: Fear and Fear (of God) or Fear and (love of God) or Fear (of God) and Love of this life happen everyday in our lives. Clean hearts are able to see through that and make choices based on divine teachings and a good support system,

The theology of Breaking bad is a lesson in how a person can lose his moral compass by making a series of choices that are rooted in fear.

On a final note, the fatalism of breaking bad is problematic. Some folks do evil and do not see it in this life. Walter continues to get worse. Some folks do good and don't see it. The unseen and how a person is addressed in this world is rooted in the divine knowledge. Fatalism is not a means to measure Good or evil. The book and the sunna are!

What are your thoughts on Breaking Bad? Please share!

Imam Suhaib Webb