so when they picture a particular kind, the beloved object draws near to them. This is why Allah Most High forbade the spreading of sexual immorality. He likewise commanded that such sins be concealed, as the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Whoever falls into any of these filthy sins should conceal himself beneath Allah’s concealment, for whoever exposes his wrongdoing to us, we shall enforce Allah’s prescribed judgment upon him.”

He also said:

“All of my community will be pardoned except those who publicize their sins. One form of publicizing sin is for a man to spend the night committing a sin that Allah has concealed, then speak of it in the morning.”

As long as a sin remains concealed, its punishment falls upon its perpetrator alone. But when it becomes public and is not condemned, its harm becomes widespread. How much worse, then, when making it public encourages others to commit it!

This is why Imam Ahmad and others disapproved of reciting tender love poetry: it stirs souls towards sexual immorality. Thus, whoever is afflicted with passionate infatuation is instructed to remain chaste, conceal it, and be patient. He will then be among those of whom Allah said:

“Indeed, whoever fears Allah and remains patient—Allah does not let the reward of those who do good go to waste.”

The point is that he is rewarded for this struggle, and the true striver is the one who struggles against his own soul for Allah’s sake.

As for those who introduce innovations into asceticism and worship, following the path of monks, they may renounce marriage, surplus food and wealth, and similar things. This is commendable; nevertheless, most of them inevitably fall into sins of this kind. Thus, we find many of them afflicted with keeping company with young men and attending to women, and so they become afflicted with an inclination