Nafs

Nafs is an arabic word, which is about 295 times used in Quran as a noun(نفس). Nafs is a combo of both good and bad which can be controlled by ones ownself.

In Literal Meaning:- Self / Person.

In Terminological way:- It reflects of a soul or ego.

         There are three types of Nafs which are mainly mentioned in Quran; Nafs-ul-Ammarah, Nafs-ul-Muthmainnah, and Nafs-ul- Lawamah.

1. The first one type Nafs-ul-Ammarah is explained on the basis of following Quranic verse:

“Indeed the nafs that overwhelmingly commands a person to do sin.”

[12:53]

     According to that, one’s self becomes a slave to his ego. Then whether it is an illegitimate desire or an illegitimate passion. Nafs is battle that never ends. Control it before it becomes dominant on yourself. Quran speaks of about 3 general levels of Nafs. And first type reflects by that verse; “Commands to sin”  Surah Yusaf.

2. On the contrary of that type, is

Nafs-ul-Muthmainnah, which mean is; A clear and bright soul with remembrance of Allah (SWT) and eradication of the influence of lust and contemptible features. The Quranic verse which tells us about it is;

“Nafs at peace with it self.”

Surah Fajar [89:27]

3. The third one Nafs-ul-Ammarah; namely the soul that regrets itself. For reference the following verse of Surah Qayimah shows that;

“Nafs that blames (itself ).”

 [75:2]

• JIHAD E AKBAR:

            The greatest jihad is to strive against  yourself and restrict yourself from evil impulses. Prophet Hazrat Mohammad (PBUH) once said:

” The best jihad is that one does against one’s self and desires.”

        Amar al-Naqib from Kathir Ibn Hisham from Ja’ far Ibn Burqan from Yazid Ibn al- Asam from Abu Hurairah: “The Prophet said; Verily  Allah doesn’t look at your likeness and not property you,  but He looks at your heart and your deeds.”

Indeed ; “Allah doesn’t burden a soul beyond that it can bear.”

[2: 286]

How to Save Yourself from the Evils of Nafs;

• First of all offer prayers ( 5 times a day regularly). And make Dua to Allah (SWT) to save us from the evils of our Nafs, never let us depend on our nafs for even a single blink. The most common sins we offer in our normal routine life by our tongue just for the sake of our nafs. Hazrat Ali (R.A) once said;

“Words Are under your control until you  speak them, but you come under their control once you have spoken them.”

• Create a clear cut difference between your necessities and accessories. First go for what pleases Allah SWT and then go for something that you want. But make sure that it should not be sinful or displeasing to the Almighty. Quranic words;

“And Those who strive in Our cause. We will certainly guide them in Our paths , For verily Allah is with those who do right.”

• Adopt Taqwa (be pious) for Allah SWT. Remember that Allah can see you , hear you, know you and also help you if you are willing (only by the will of Allah SWT).

“Neither your creation nor your raising is anything but as a single soul ; surely Allah is hearing, seeing. “

Surah Luqman [31:28]

• Make your tongue accustomed to remembrance of ‘Al- Rehamn’ the Beneficent, the Creator of the whole universe.

Your nafs; if don’t keep it busy with truth it will keep you busy with falsehood.”

Imam al- Shafi’i

For Tazqiyah (sanctification) of your soul, fully submit yourself to Allah SWT. May Allah SWT put ease in our matters which pleased Him. Ameen Sum Ameen Ya Rab-bul-Alemeen.