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.
Appears in
1 book in the library
Hear the term in context.
Every book above uses Kasr al-Shahwatayn the way the classical scholars meant it. Listen with the full Study Kit in the app.