And among Christians, the faculty of anger was weakened, so they were forbidden to take revenge or defend themselves. Their faculty of appetite, however, was not weakened, so the foods forbidden to their predecessors were not forbidden to them; rather, some things previously forbidden were made lawful for them. Indulgence in food, drink, and desires appeared among them to a degree not found among the Jews. They also possess tenderness, compassion, and mercy not found among the Jews. Most of their sins therefore arise from desires rather than anger, while most of their acts of obedience concern securing victory rather than provision.

Since traits associated with Jesus existed among Sufis and jurists—whether in legitimate or distorted forms—they displayed desires and inclinations toward women, boys, and enchanting voices for which they deserved blame. Likewise, since traits associated with Moses existed among jurists—whether in legitimate or distorted forms—they displayed anger, harshness, arrogance, and similar qualities for which they deserved blame.

Section

The faculty of appetite falls under the general category of love, and the faculty of anger under that of hatred. Anger (ghadab) and hatred (bughd) are related through “greater derivation” (al-ishtiqāq al-akbar). Hence the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“The firmest bonds of faith are love for Allah’s sake and hatred for Allah’s sake.”

For these two faculties are the foundation. He also said:

“Whoever loves for Allah’s sake and hates for Allah’s sake