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AlGhazalisIhya-Book_of_Discipline_of_the_Soul_Character_Sick, page : 13
fallen, which imagines that the purpose of spiritual struggle is the complete
suppression and effacement of these attributes. Such a view is absurd, for desire
has been created for a purpose, and is an indispensable part of human nature;
should the desire for food cease man would die, should the desire for sexual
intercourse cease man would die out; and should man feel no anger he would
not be able to defend himself from those things, which threaten his life. When the
basis of desire remains, the love of property must necessarily remain also, which
encourages one to guard it. What is required is not the total extirpation of these
things, but rather the restoration of their balance and moderation, which is the
middle point between excess and defect. With regard to the trait of anger, what is
needed is sound ardor, which lies in the avoidance of both recklessness and
cowardice, and generally to be strong in oneself but nevertheless under the
control of the intellect. It is for this reason that Allah, the Almighty has said:
“…Those who are with him are harsh against the unbelievers but merciful to one
another…” (Ch. 48 verse 29), describing the believers as „harsh‟; harsh can only
arise from anger, and were there to be no anger, there could be no Jihad against
the unbelievers. And how could one intend to uproot anger and desire entirely
when the Prophets themselves were not divested of them? The Messenger of
Allah, praise and peace be upon him, once said: “I am only a man, and, like other
suppression and effacement of these attributes. Such a view is absurd, for desire
has been created for a purpose, and is an indispensable part of human nature;
should the desire for food cease man would die, should the desire for sexual
intercourse cease man would die out; and should man feel no anger he would
not be able to defend himself from those things, which threaten his life. When the
basis of desire remains, the love of property must necessarily remain also, which
encourages one to guard it. What is required is not the total extirpation of these
things, but rather the restoration of their balance and moderation, which is the
middle point between excess and defect. With regard to the trait of anger, what is
needed is sound ardor, which lies in the avoidance of both recklessness and
cowardice, and generally to be strong in oneself but nevertheless under the
control of the intellect. It is for this reason that Allah, the Almighty has said:
“…Those who are with him are harsh against the unbelievers but merciful to one
another…” (Ch. 48 verse 29), describing the believers as „harsh‟; harsh can only
arise from anger, and were there to be no anger, there could be no Jihad against
the unbelievers. And how could one intend to uproot anger and desire entirely
when the Prophets themselves were not divested of them? The Messenger of
Allah, praise and peace be upon him, once said: “I am only a man, and, like other