Nafs النَّفس
An individual, the self, the inner self, the spirit; frequently a synonym of Ruh, yet is different from it. That is why Jihad against oneself is Jihad al-Nafs or Jihad ma` al-Nafs and never Jihad ma` al-Ruh (Jihad against the soul).
It is thought that when a man sleeps, his Ruh remains, but a part of Nafs leaves out, while a part remains in the body, but the two remain in contact with each other. It is this part of the Nafs (which leaves the body and goes up), which meets with other A nfas in the `Alam al-Arwah ( عَالَم الأرْوَاح ), and which sees those dreams that come out true. It informs the Ruh all about it has seen when it returns to the body. But if Allah wills death for the person, the Nafs which had left is held back, while the Nafs within body and Ruh are both drawn and joined with the Nafs which was already out, as one entity, now combined and known as Nafs, Ruh or Nasmah.
Although attempted, differences between Nafs and Ruh cannot be clearly delineated. What can be generally stated is that: the body is from the earth, the Ruh is from the heavens. The two brought together, create a new entity called Nafs. If this new entity is more heavenly inclined, a person is more likely to be virtuous, inclined to acts of worship, etc.; but if more inclined towards the earth, then he is dominated by animalistic qualities and animalistic behavior. In the meantime, both the entities Ruh and Nafs influence each other; while on the other hand, the body and the soul also receive influences on a permanent basis, the body from the earthly, animalistic and Satanic forces, and the Ruh from the heavenly, angelic forces (from al-Mala’ al-A`la (the Higher Council of angels: Shah Waliyullah). Allah said (42: 5):
The struggle for domination remains the story of the whole life so that (91: 7-10),
1. A high angelic with a strong animalistic
2. A high angelic with a weak animalistic
3. A lower angelic with a strong animalistic
4. A lower angelic with a weak animalistic
(Shah Waliyullah)
Although
in a different context, and not meant to be applied here as an
inference derived from the above, we could quote Shah Waliyullah’s
analysis about the broad nature of human beings, as a result of the
variety of forces acting upon them. Broadly speaking, there can be four
kinds of persons with the following four tendencies, with many in
between:
1. A high angelic with a strong animalistic
2. A high angelic with a weak animalistic
3. A lower angelic with a strong animalistic
4. A lower angelic with a weak animalistic
In a rough analysis, there are three facets of the existence of Nafs, and, therefore, three types of it: (1) Nafs al-Ammarah bi as-ssu’, the Nafs which incites to evil; (2) al Nafs al Lawwamah, the nafs which blames when a wrong is committed; and, (3) al Nafs al Mutma’innah, the satisfied or comforted soul (or a soul in peace), which is in bliss when a good act is accomplished. The four states above determine the kind of personality that develops, either Zalim, Muqtasid or Sabiqun bi al-Khayrat (transgressor, moderate and the outrunner in good deeds, respectively). Allah said,
This
is about the personalities that emerge. With reference to the mind, it
can be seen from the above that there are three psychological states:
the inner base self, which incites to evil action; then, depending on
how evil the action was, remorse follows, but if it was a good act, it
feels bliss in some measure or the other.
Actually, all worldly things that are not essential to life have the same kind of psychological relationship with the Nafs (of which the mind is yet another expression): the base self incites to material possessions, but as soon as they come into possession, the other part of the self begins to reproach. It applies to minor situations too, such as, e.g. purchase of an item that is not of immediate need to a person. As soon as he purchases one of them, a mild chill runs through the body and regret follows. ‘If I hadn’t paid for it,’ he says to himself as it is being packed, ‘I would rather back out.’ This is so well-realized by the salesmen that when some products are unpacked, a note emerges that assures the buyer that ‘you have bought the right thing,’ to prevent him from returning the commodity within the stipulated time of purchase.
Since things are first created in the `Alam al-Mithal ( عَالَم : the World of Images), which the Nafs witnesses whenever it leaves the body, it is possible that when a man acquires a thing or a piece of pleasure (e.g. music, or a wife), he is immediately dissatisfied with his acquisition because, his Nafs having seen it in a perfect form in the `Alam al-Mithal, is dissatisfied with its imperfect physical form that it takes in this life. If he sacrifices his desires, remaining within the basic needs, driven over to him by the forces let loose by Allah, the thing of the `Alam al-Mithal is reserved for him which he will inherit in Paradise. On the other hand, if someone indulges and engages himself in obtaining all that the Nafs desires, he loses the right to what he witnessed in the `Alam al-Mithal, in their perfect form and he is told:
The Prophet advised `Umar that he may not seek after wealth, but if it comes his way, say welcome to it and enjoy it: it is Allah’s bestowal.
This is a complicated subject, and we shall have more to add with later editions, Allah willing.
It is thought that when a man sleeps, his Ruh remains, but a part of Nafs leaves out, while a part remains in the body, but the two remain in contact with each other. It is this part of the Nafs (which leaves the body and goes up), which meets with other A nfas in the `Alam al-Arwah ( عَالَم الأرْوَاح ), and which sees those dreams that come out true. It informs the Ruh all about it has seen when it returns to the body. But if Allah wills death for the person, the Nafs which had left is held back, while the Nafs within body and Ruh are both drawn and joined with the Nafs which was already out, as one entity, now combined and known as Nafs, Ruh or Nasmah.
Although attempted, differences between Nafs and Ruh cannot be clearly delineated. What can be generally stated is that: the body is from the earth, the Ruh is from the heavens. The two brought together, create a new entity called Nafs. If this new entity is more heavenly inclined, a person is more likely to be virtuous, inclined to acts of worship, etc.; but if more inclined towards the earth, then he is dominated by animalistic qualities and animalistic behavior. In the meantime, both the entities Ruh and Nafs influence each other; while on the other hand, the body and the soul also receive influences on a permanent basis, the body from the earthly, animalistic and Satanic forces, and the Ruh from the heavenly, angelic forces (from al-Mala’ al-A`la (the Higher Council of angels: Shah Waliyullah). Allah said (42: 5):
وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لِمَنْ فِي الْأَرْضِ
“The angels chant glories of their Lord and seek forgiveness of those on the earth”.
وَنَفْسٍ وَمَا سَوَّاهَا (٩١:٧) فَأَلْهَمَهَا فُجُورَهَا وَتَقْوَاهَا
(٩١:٨) قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَنْ زَكَّاهَا (٩١:٩) وَقَدْ خَابَ مَنْ دَسَّاهَا
“And,
by the soul and what molded it. Then He inspired to it, its wickedness
and its piety. Surely, succeeded he who purified it; and surely, ruined
(himself) he who seduced it.” (Ash-Shams :7-10)
Broadly, there can be four kinds of persons with four tendencies:
1. A high angelic with a strong animalistic
2. A high angelic with a weak animalistic
3. A lower angelic with a strong animalistic
4. A lower angelic with a weak animalistic
(Shah Waliyullah)
1. A high angelic with a strong animalistic
2. A high angelic with a weak animalistic
3. A lower angelic with a strong animalistic
4. A lower angelic with a weak animalistic
In a rough analysis, there are three facets of the existence of Nafs, and, therefore, three types of it: (1) Nafs al-Ammarah bi as-ssu’, the Nafs which incites to evil; (2) al Nafs al Lawwamah, the nafs which blames when a wrong is committed; and, (3) al Nafs al Mutma’innah, the satisfied or comforted soul (or a soul in peace), which is in bliss when a good act is accomplished. The four states above determine the kind of personality that develops, either Zalim, Muqtasid or Sabiqun bi al-Khayrat (transgressor, moderate and the outrunner in good deeds, respectively). Allah said,
ثُمَّ أَوْرَثْنَا الْكِتَابَ الَّذِينَ اصْطَفَيْنَا مِنْ عِبَادِنَا ۖ
فَمِنْهُمْ ظَالِمٌ لِنَفْسِهِ وَمِنْهُمْ مُقْتَصِدٌ وَمِنْهُمْ سَابِقٌ
بِالْخَيْرَاتِ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ الْفَضْلُ الْكَبِيرُ
“Then
We gave the Book in inheritance to such of Our servants as We chose. Of
them are some who wrong their own souls, of them some who are on the
middle course, while some who are, by Allah’s leave, forerunners in good (works). That is the great bounty.” (Al-Fatir:32)
Actually, all worldly things that are not essential to life have the same kind of psychological relationship with the Nafs (of which the mind is yet another expression): the base self incites to material possessions, but as soon as they come into possession, the other part of the self begins to reproach. It applies to minor situations too, such as, e.g. purchase of an item that is not of immediate need to a person. As soon as he purchases one of them, a mild chill runs through the body and regret follows. ‘If I hadn’t paid for it,’ he says to himself as it is being packed, ‘I would rather back out.’ This is so well-realized by the salesmen that when some products are unpacked, a note emerges that assures the buyer that ‘you have bought the right thing,’ to prevent him from returning the commodity within the stipulated time of purchase.
Since things are first created in the `Alam al-Mithal ( عَالَم : the World of Images), which the Nafs witnesses whenever it leaves the body, it is possible that when a man acquires a thing or a piece of pleasure (e.g. music, or a wife), he is immediately dissatisfied with his acquisition because, his Nafs having seen it in a perfect form in the `Alam al-Mithal, is dissatisfied with its imperfect physical form that it takes in this life. If he sacrifices his desires, remaining within the basic needs, driven over to him by the forces let loose by Allah, the thing of the `Alam al-Mithal is reserved for him which he will inherit in Paradise. On the other hand, if someone indulges and engages himself in obtaining all that the Nafs desires, he loses the right to what he witnessed in the `Alam al-Mithal, in their perfect form and he is told:
أَذْهَبْتُمْ طَيِّبَاتِكُمْ فِي حَيَاتِكُمُ الدُّنْيَا وَاسْتَمْتَعْتُمْ بِهَا فَالْيَوْمَ تُجْزَوْنَ عَذَابَ الْهُونِ
“You
(have already) exhausted your good things in the life of the world, and
enjoyed them well. Today you shall be recompensed with a punishment of
extreme humiliation.” (Al-Ahqaf :20)
This is a complicated subject, and we shall have more to add with later editions, Allah willing.
See related articles
- Allah
- Prophet
- Jihad
- Ruh
- Al-Nafs-Al-Hayawaniyah
- Al-Nafs Al-Ammarah
- Al-Nafs Al-Lawwamah
- Al-Nafs-Al-Mutmainnah
- Al-Nafs-Al-Shahwaniyyah
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02XwfT75Vyk
Dear Brother Abdassamad
Assalamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullahi ta'ala wa barakatuhu!
I welcome this very beautiful explanation. Most of us in the colonised world have always recited this duah during our lifetime without much understanding of its meaning!
I had to wait until I was 67 to learn from Sheikh Hamza Yusuf Mark Hanson that food must be not only halaal, but also TAYYAB (pure)! This is how bad my teachers of the past have been!
Basheer Ahmad
30 January 2013
Ramadan TV 2010
- Shaykh Abdalhaqq Bewley
Reflect - The Night of Power (Laylatu'l-Qadr)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVEN14jyUI0
Extraordinary!
Subhaan Allah, I had to wait for 67 years to finally understand the difference in Islam between Forgiveness and Pardon!
Will the teachers of our present generations learn the lesson and be better teachers than our predecessors?
Let us pray and make sure that they do, insha'Allah.
Basheer
30 January 2013