Sheikh Abd Al Kishk

Dealing with Lust and Greed According to Islam Sheikh Abd Al Kishk

I have written this book in response to the numerous questions posed to me by young Muslim in the East and the West concerning the struggle taking place between their lower selves, which pursue their desires and appetites, and their souls, which year for purity and perfection and to follow the path of truth. Their struggle is between human nature, which is predisposed to the love of the lower appetites, and the Islamic way which they freely choose and desire to follow as their deen. How should these young people face that struggle which is an danger of taking them so far from the path of Allah? How can they gain the upper hand in it? How can they free themselves from the shackles of the lower self and its appetites, and master them and not be mastered by them? What should they do when their selves which command to evil urge them to commit fornication? What offence is more conducive to perdition and destruction? The sexual appetite is an natural instinct which is most beneficial if kept within proper limits. However, if it is allowed free rein it brings about destruction and ruin and even its awakening is a cause for Alarm. What should they do when love of wealth ove comes them and induces them to steal? Even if they can avoid the punishment of the law, they still have enough light to make them fear Divine retribution.