As for what is to be renounced, it is this world: everything encompassed by night and day, sheltered beneath the sky, and borne by the earth. People have been commanded to renounce it by regarding it as insignificant and holding all of it in little esteem. They have been encouraged to leave aside every permissible thing in it that does not help them obey Allah. They have not, however, been encouraged to abandon it altogether and withdraw from it. Rather, they are obliged to take from it whatever is necessary to fulfil their obligations, and encouraged to take every permissible thing that helps them obey Allah.
Thus, whatever permissible thing helps one obey Allah, of whatever kind it may be, asceticism consists in taking it; if it does not help one obey Him, asceticism consists in leaving it.
As for what induces renunciation of this world, two of its features have led some who do not believe in the Resurrection, as well as some who do, to renounce it. The first is its many afflictions; the second is its passing away, the perishing of its inhabitants within it, and their departure from it before it passes away.
As for the motivating reasons that give rise to asceticism, there are five:
First, this world is a source of temptation that distracts hearts from reflecting on Allah’s command.
Second, it lowers the standing before Allah Most High of those who incline towards it.
Third, renouncing it is a means of drawing near to Allah and attaining a higher rank with Him among the degrees of Paradise.
Fourth, the lengthy detention and standing on the Day of Resurrection for the reckoning and questioning about gratitude for blessings.
Fifth, Allah’s good pleasure and safety from His displeasure—and this is the greatest of them. Allah, Mighty and Majestic, says:
“But approval from Allah is greater. That is the great attainment.” [al-Tawbah: 72]
As for the One for whose sake asceticism is practised, He is Allah, Mighty and Majestic. The ascetic has rejected this world, despite its appeal to him, seeking Allah’s pleasure, fearing His questioning, drawing near to Him, and conforming to Him by regarding as insignificant what He has deemed insignificant and hating what He has hated—all out of longing for the abundant reward that is with Him, Mighty and Majestic. Success comes only through Allah.
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A group of scholars has said: Asceticism does not concern anything lawful; rather, asceticism