The meaning of abstinence

Avoiding from what is forbidden of it.

I heard the Commander of the Believers, Allah’s blessings be upon him, say: Abstinence in this world is to have short aspiration, thankfulness to every grace and piety with regards to (avoiding) what Allah has forbidden…

Abu Abdillah, peace be upon him, said: Abstinence in this world is not by wasting property, nor by declaring the allowable as forbidden. Rather, abstinence in this world is that you are not, towards what is in your hand,…

a man asked him about abstinence. He said: Abstinence are ten things. The highest ranks of abstinence are the lowest ranks of piety, and the highest ranks of piety are lowest ranks of certainty, and the highest ranks of…

Isa bin Mariam, peace be upon him, said in a sermon in which he stood up among the sons of Isra’eel: I have awoken this morning among you, and my condiment is hunger, my food is what the earth vegetates for beasts and…