Release From the Shackles of Desire By Ibn Qayim

Desires are part of the human being's creation — Allah placed them in the nafs as part of the test of this life. But what distinguishes the believer is not the absence of desire but the ability to govern it — to restrain the self from what is prohibited while channeling desire toward what is lawful and beneficial. Release from the Shackles of Desire by Imam Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah examines the nature of desire, its relationship to the intellect and the heart, and the Islamic means by which a Muslim frees themselves from its domination.

What This Book Covers

The Nature of Desire and Its Relationship to the Intellect

Ibn al-Qayyim opens by establishing the structure of the human self: the innate desires placed in it by creation, the intellect given to govern them, and the divine guidance sent to direct both. When desire overcomes the intellect and the guidance is ignored, the person becomes enslaved to their own nafs.

The Islamic Means of Release

The practical section addresses the specific tools Islam provides for breaking the hold of desire: fasting and its role in weakening the appetites, dhikr and its effect on the heart's orientation, contemplation of the consequences of following desire versus restraining it, and the specific supplications the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) made for protection from the harm of the nafs.

About the Author

Imam Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah (691–751 AH) was one of the greatest scholars of Islam and the foremost authority on the heart sciences. Published by Dakwah Corner Bookstore.

Who This Book Is For

Any Muslim who recognizes that their desires are shaping their life more than their faith is, and who wants the classical Islamic guidance on regaining control. Concise and direct — ideal for those who want a focused treatment of this specific challenge.