Following desires means following what the soul craves. The word shahawāt (desires) is the plural of shahwah, which is originally a verbal noun. The object of desire is also called shahwah, thus applying the verbal noun to its object. Allah Most High says:

“Those who follow their desires wish you to stray far away.”

He thus contrasts repentance with following desires, for He wishes to accept our repentance—that is, Allah loves this for us, is pleased with it, and commands it. “Those who follow their desires”—who are the wayward—“wish you to stray far away”: to turn you far away from the straight path toward following desires. The basic meaning of mayl (inclination) is deviation, which is inevitable for those who follow desires. As the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Remain steadfast, though you will never fully attain it. Know that the best of your deeds is prayer, and none but a believer consistently maintains his ablution.”

Ahmad and Ibn Mājah narrated this from Thawbān. He thus tells us that we cannot fully sustain steadfastness—or encompass its reward if we remain steadfast.

Allah also says:

“You will never be able to treat your wives with complete fairness, however hard you try. But do not incline wholly toward one, leaving another in limbo.”

His words, “incline wholly,” refer to the utmost extent of deviation: straying from the path and turning away from the straight way toward the furthest reaches of evil. Rather, if you are afflicted with this, exercise moderation and return to the path through repentance. As related in the hadith from the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace:

“A believer’s straying is like that of a tethered horse: it wanders, then returns to where it is tethered. Likewise, the believer wanders, then returns