A summary of the concepts held by the Ahl al-Sunnah.
How a person repels base desires and the fruits of this struggle.
The most powerful means by which a person repels base desires from himself.
Is the taqwa of Allah—Mighty and Majestic is He—and the fear of His punishment.
And keeping in mind the fruits of this taqwa and its reward.
For that is the solid barrier against the violent onslaughts of base desire.
One must know that Allah has not tasked him with preventing base desires from arising within himself.
For that is beyond his capacity.
Rather, He has tasked him with restraining his soul from such desires and repelling them.
And for this struggle and arduous jihad, He has written for him.
Paradise as a reward and a dwelling place.
Allah the Exalted said:
“But as for him who feared to stand before his Lord and restrained his soul from lust,” (79:40)
“Lo! the Garden will be his home.” (79:41)
He must also remember the consequences of unchecked base desire and where it leads.
"As for him who transgressed and preferred the life of this world."
“Lo! hell will be his home.” (79:39)
Also included in the aforementioned points.
Is to remember the nobility of the truth and the virtue of its people.
And the baseness of falsehood and the ignominy of its people.
And what they deserve of Allah’s wrath and punishment.
Among the things that help in abandoning base desire.
Which inclines one toward the opinions of his predecessors and teachers even when they contradict the truth.
Is to keep in mind that what concerns him.
Is his own state before Allah.
It will not harm him before Allah to disagree with his teachers.
As long as the truth has become clear to him in opposition to them.
Rather, what harms him is following them in what he knows to be contrary to the truth.
His teachers may be excused and rewarded for the positions they took.
Due to the evidence of the truth not having been established for them in the matter.
Or because of a plausible interpretation they held.
While the proof was not established against them regarding what they opposed.
Among the things that also help in opposing base desire.
Is adopting the most cautious approach in a matter.
Even if it contradicts his desires and what he was raised upon.
If he finds among the people of knowledge those who reject some of what his soul has become accustomed to and what his desires incline toward.
Despite their nobility and high standing.
He should adopt the most cautious path for his religion.
And abandon what he was accustomed to, in order to safeguard his religion and prioritize safety.