“Yes, there is one situation in which this happens”, I began to say. “Listen carefully. When you fight against the desires presented to you by your nafs, every disease of the heart will be taken away, and the very same illnesses that once plagued it will become a cure.”

The man heard this and let out a solemn sigh. “I have received this answer seven times tonight, but I wanted to hear this from you. By the grace of Allah, this wish was fulfilled, and I have now received from you an answer to my question.” After saying this, the man left, and I never saw him again.^[1]

Dear Islamic brothers! The renowned saint Junayd Baghdādī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه gave the man an excellent remedy for the inward, spiritual diseases of the heart. If you fight against your desires, this will dispel all these diseases, and they will become a cure for you instead.

We also learn how falling into self-indulgence, following one’s desires and fulfilling the wishes of the nafs are hugely damaging diseases. They lead to the heart becoming packed with the filth left behind after sin.

Now think, is this why good words have no effect on us? Is this why our hearts are not drawn to acts of worship? The incident we have just heard should teach us a profound lesson. Instead of ruining ourselves by chasing desire after desire, we should try our best to act upon the sunnah and lead righteous lives instead.

Obedience of Desires

Following one’s desires means to act out every wish of the nafs, without caring for what is allowed and what is not.^[2] Categorically, there is