Al-Qurtubi reported: One of the righteous predecessors said to his student, “What will you do if Satan entices you to sin?” The student said, “I will fight him!” The elder said, “And if he returns?” The student said, “I will fight him!” The elder said, “And if he returns?” The student said, “I will fight him!” The elder said, “This will take too long. What do you think if you passed by some sheep and its guard dog barked at you and prevented you from crossing? What would you do?” The student said, “I would endure and renew my efforts.” The elder said, “This would take too long. Rather, seek help from the owner of the sheep and He will suffice you.”
Source: Tafsīr al-Qurṭubī 7:200
عن القرطبي عَنْ بَعْضِ السَّلَفِ أَنَّهُ قَالَ لِتِلْمِيذِهِ مَا تَصْنَعُ بِالشَّيْطَانِ إِذَا سَوَّلَ لَكَ الْخَطَايَا قَالَ أُجَاهِدُهُ قَالَ فَإِنْ عَادَ قَالَ أُجَاهِدُهُ قَالَ فَإِنْ عَادَ قَالَ أُجَاهِدُهُ قَالَ هَذَا يَطُولُ أَرَأَيْتَ لَوْ مَرَرْتَ بِغَنَمٍ فنبحك كلبها ومنع مِنَ الْعُبُورِ مَا تَصْنَعُ قَالَ أُكَابِدُهُ وَأَرُدُّهُ جَهْدِي قَالَ هَذَا يَطُولُ عَلَيْكَ وَلَكِنِ اسْتَغِثْ بِصَاحِبِ الْغَنَمِ يَكُفُّهُ عَنْكَ
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