It is said that Al-Hawaa is a hidden trap that one must not feel secure from. Ash-Sha’bee [34] said: “It is called Hawaa because it throws down its’ adherent.” In its general and unrestricted meaning, it demands ready pleasure without thinking about the outcome. It incites the immediate obtainment of lusts even though it is, sooner or later, the cause of greater sufferings. This life has an outcome before that of the Hereafter, and Al-Hawaa blinds its follower from giving notice to this.
Man’s Muroo’ah, [35] religion, and rationalism all forbid the pleasure whose outcome will be painful and prohibit lust whose legacy is sorrow and regret, each telling the self when it desires [pleasure and lust], “Don’t do it!” The self would obey the winner.[36] Don’t you see because of the weakness of the rationalistic restraint in a child, he prefers what he desires even though it may lead to his own destruction. On the other hand, the one who does not abide by the Deen prefers and likes what he desires even if it would lead to his destruction in the Hereafter because of the weakness in compliance to the Deen’s prohibitive code. The one who does not respect his Muroo’ah prefers what he likes even if he injures [or shatters] or even loses his Muroo’ah because of the weakness in adhering to its prohibitive code. What place does this hold in comparison with the saying of Ash-Shaafi’ee [37]: “If I knew that cold water would injure my Muroo’ah, I would not drink it.”
Read More “Al-Hawaa (Lowly Desires): 50 Matters to free Oneself from it – Imam Ibn al Qayyim”


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