Chapter 32

CHASTITY

Ethicistsdefinechastity,asthe self-controlandequanimity ofthe in-
clinationstodesiresincludingthebodily,likeeatingandthelike,andthe
mental,likeagitationsandemotions.Thequalityofchastityisappliedto
thosewhoaremoderateinallofthesestates.Thisvirtueaimsatachiev-
ingpeople’sself-restraintawayfrombeingtheslavesoflustsandinclin-
ations.ThereportsoftheImamsregardingthisvirtuehavebeenuninter-
rupted.ImamAlisaid,“Chastityisthebestofworship.”Imamal-Baqir
said,“No worship ispreferred to the chastity ofthe abdomen andthe
genitals.”
Thisvirtue saves manfroma greatdeal of mentalandphysicaldis-
easesandillmanners,suchasgluttony,fornication,greed,squandering,
rage, hatred, blabber, and many others.
Chastity pushesmanto ageneral rectitude. Itdismisses the qualityof
overeatingthat bringsabout manydiseasesandcausesrepetitive visits
to clinics. The holy Quran encouragedon adhering to the virtue. God
says:
Eat, drink and be not extravagant.
Besides, the extravagant abstinence and avoidance of the good matter
thatGodhasdeemedlawfulareexcludedfromchastity,whichismerely
the moderation. God says:
Say:Who has prohibited the embellishmentof Allah, which He has
broughtforthforHisservantsandthegoodprovisions?Say:Theseare
forthebelieversinthe lifeonthisworld,purelytheirsontheresurrec-
tion day.
Chastityrequiresself-restraintandguardianshipagainstfullreleaseof
thewholementallusts,theintemperanceofwhichcorruptsthelife,en-
feeblesthespirituality,andleadstofailing.Ethicistssaid,“Lustsarein-
finite.Iftimeisextended,lustswillsurelyleadtoothersandsoon.Fin-
ally, manwill be the captive of endless lusts and the slaveof untold