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AlGhazalisIhya-Book_of_Discipline_of_the_Soul_Character_Sick, page : 6
fruit in the form of wisdom, which is the chief of the good traits of character, and
regarding, which Allah has said: “…He gives wisdom to whom He will, and he
who is given wisdom has been given a lot of good. …” (Ch. 2 verse 269)
Regarding the irascible faculty, this is sound when its movements lie within the
bounds required by wisdom. Likewise, the appetitive faculty is sound and good
when it is under the command of wisdom, by, which I mean the command of the
Law and the intellect. As for the faculty to effect a just equilibrium, it is this, which
sets desire and anger under the command of the intellect and the Law. For the
intellect has the status of a guiding counselor, while the faculty for just
equilibrium is the (actualizing) power, and has the status of something, which
carries out its orders. The same command is carried out by the irascible faculty,
which is like a hunting dog, which needs to be trained before it‟s unleashing and
restraint can conform it to orders rather than to the outbursts of the soul‟s desire.
In turn, desire is like a horse, which one rides during the chase, and, which is
sometimes tractable and well disciplined, and sometimes endeavors to bolt.
Therefore, the man in whom these characteristics are sound and balanced is
possessed of a good character under all circumstances. The man in whom some
regarding, which Allah has said: “…He gives wisdom to whom He will, and he
who is given wisdom has been given a lot of good. …” (Ch. 2 verse 269)
Regarding the irascible faculty, this is sound when its movements lie within the
bounds required by wisdom. Likewise, the appetitive faculty is sound and good
when it is under the command of wisdom, by, which I mean the command of the
Law and the intellect. As for the faculty to effect a just equilibrium, it is this, which
sets desire and anger under the command of the intellect and the Law. For the
intellect has the status of a guiding counselor, while the faculty for just
equilibrium is the (actualizing) power, and has the status of something, which
carries out its orders. The same command is carried out by the irascible faculty,
which is like a hunting dog, which needs to be trained before it‟s unleashing and
restraint can conform it to orders rather than to the outbursts of the soul‟s desire.
In turn, desire is like a horse, which one rides during the chase, and, which is
sometimes tractable and well disciplined, and sometimes endeavors to bolt.
Therefore, the man in whom these characteristics are sound and balanced is
possessed of a good character under all circumstances. The man in whom some