Kasr al-Shahwatayn
Definition
Kasr al-shahwatayn — the breaking of the two desires — is the title and the central teaching of this book: the deliberate, systematic governing of the appetite for food and the appetite for sexual gratification through disciplinary practice. Al-Ghazali uses the word kasr (breaking) rather than elimination — he is not prescribing the destruction of these desires but their taming, their subordination to the governance of reason and religious guidance. The broken horse is still a horse, but it is now a servant rather than a tyrant; the governed appetite is still present but is now directed by the person rather than directing the person.
As understood in the classical tradition of Imam al-Ghazali and the scholars of his school.
How the scholars use Kasr al-Shahwatayn.
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"The same wording was narrated by Ibn Hibban in the section of weak narrators. And God knows best. Book of the Breaking of the Two Desires His driving force was the truth, eager to call the servants of Allah to His straight path, which greatly increased his joy. He would say, "Praise be to Allah who has strengthened and supported me with those who aid me in reforming His servants."
— Imam al-Ghazali, Book 22: The Book of Disciplining the Soul
Appears in
1 book in the library
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Every book above uses Kasr al-Shahwatayn the way the classical scholars meant it. Listen with the full Study Kit in the app.