In Islamic spirituality, the term "Nafs" refers to the human self or soul. It is considered the seat of human emotions, desires, and passions. The Nafs is often divided into three categories: the lower self (nafs al-ammara), the self-reproaching self (nafs al-lawwama), and the tranquil self (nafs al-mutma'inna). The lower self is driven by base desires and impulses, while the self-reproaching self is aware of its faults and seeks repentance. The tranquil self is at peace with itself and has achieved a state of spiritual maturity.
The concept of Nafs is an important aspect of Islamic spirituality and is related to the Islamic understanding of the human being. According to Islamic teachings, human beings are created with a complex nature that includes both physical and spiritual dimensions. The physical dimension is associated with the body, while the spiritual dimension is associated with the soul.
The Nafs is considered to be the center of the spiritual dimension of the human being. It is the locus of the human emotions, desires, and passions. The Nafs is said to be prone to negativity and is often driven by base desires and impulses. It can become easily attached to the material world and may be prone to greed, envy, anger, and other negative emotions.
However, Islamic spirituality emphasizes that the Nafs can be purified and transformed through spiritual practice and discipline. One of the key practices that is recommended for purifying the Nafs is called Mujahada, which means to strive or struggle against the lower self. This involves recognizing and resisting the negative impulses of the Nafs and striving to cultivate positive qualities such as compassion, generosity, and humility.
The Islamic tradition also teaches that the Nafs can be divided into three categories, which correspond to different levels of spiritual development. The first is the lower self (nafs al-ammara), which is characterized by base desires and impulses. The second is the self-reproaching self (nafs al-lawwama), which is aware of its faults and seeks repentance. The third is the tranquil self (nafs al-mutma'inna), which is at peace with itself and has achieved a state of spiritual maturity.
Islamic teachings emphasize that achieving spiritual growth and purifying the Nafs is a lifelong process that requires commitment, discipline, and self-reflection. By recognizing the negative aspects of the Nafs and striving to cultivate positive qualities, the individual can achieve greater spiritual fulfillment and come closer to God.
Here are some verses from the Quran related to Nafs:
"And [by] the soul and He who proportioned it. And inspired it [with discernment of] its wickedness and its righteousness, he has succeeded who purifies it, and he has failed who instills it [with corruption]." (Surah Ash-Shams, 91:7-10)
"Say, 'Indeed, the death from which you flee - indeed, it will meet you. Then you will be returned to the Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, and He will inform you about what you used to do.' O you who have believed, let not your wealth and your children divert you from remembrance of Allah. And whoever does that - then those are the losers. And spend [in the way of Allah] from what We have provided you before death approaches one of you and he says, 'My Lord, if only You would delay me for a brief term so I would give charity and be among the righteous.' But never will Allah delay a soul when its time has come. And Allah is Acquainted with what you do." (Surah Al-Munafiqun, 63:8-11)
"And when those come to you who believe in Our verses, say, 'Peace be upon you. Your Lord has decreed upon Himself mercy: that any of you who does wrong out of ignorance and then repents after that and corrects himself - indeed, He is Forgiving and Merciful.'" (Surah Al-An'am, 6:54)
"And recite to them, [O Muhammad], the news of him to whom we gave [knowledge of] Our signs, but he detached himself from them; so Satan pursued him, and he became of the deviators. And if We had willed, We could have elevated him thereby, but he adhered [instead] to the earth and followed his own desire. So his example is like that of the dog: if you chase him, he pants, or if you leave him, he [still] pants. That is the example of the people who denied Our signs. So relate the stories that perhaps they will give thought. How evil an example [is that of] the people who denied Our signs and used to wrong themselves." (Surah Al-A'raf, 7:175-177)
"And [remember] when your Lord took from the children of Adam - from their loins - their descendants and made them testify of themselves, [saying to them], 'Am I not your Lord?' They said, 'Yes, we have testified.' [This] - lest you should say on the day of Resurrection, 'Indeed, we were of this unaware.' Or [lest] you say, 'It was only that our fathers associated [others in worship] with Allah before, and we were but descendants after them. Then would You destroy us for what the falsifiers have done?'" (Surah Al-A'raf, 7:172-173)
These verses highlight the concept of the Nafs in the Quran, as well as the importance of purifying and correcting oneself in order to attain success in the hereafter. The verses also emphasize the consequences of denying Allah's signs and following one's own desires, and the importance of remembering Allah and seeking His mercy and forgiveness.
"And I do not acquit myself. Indeed, the soul is a persistent enjoiner of evil, except those upon which my Lord has mercy. Indeed, my Lord is Forgiving and Merciful." (Quran 12:53)
"But as for he who feared the position of his Lord and prevented the soul from [unlawful] inclination, Then indeed, Paradise will be [his] refuge." (Quran 79:40-41)
"And [by] the soul and He who proportioned it. And inspired it [with discernment of] its wickedness and its righteousness. He has succeeded who purifies it, And he has failed who instills it [with corruption]." (Quran 91:7-10)
"O you who have believed, let not your wealth and your children divert you from remembrance of Allah. And whoever does that - then those are the losers. And spend [in the way of Allah] from what We have provided you before death approaches one of you and he says, "My Lord, if only You would delay me for a brief term so I would give charity and be among the righteous." (Quran 63:9-10)
"Indeed, the hearing, the sight and the heart - about all those [one] will be questioned." (Quran 17:36)
These verses illustrate the concept of Nafs in the Quran and the struggle between the human soul's inclination towards evil and the pursuit of righteousness and closeness to Allah.
"And He has succeeded who purifies the soul (nafs) (ash-shams: 9)
"And do not kill the soul (nafs) which Allah has forbidden, except by right" (al-An'am: 151)
"Allah takes the souls (an-nafs) at the time of their death, and [the souls] of those that do not die during their sleep. He retains those souls for which He has ordained death, whereas He releases the rest for an appointed term" (az-Zumar: 42)
"Say [to them], "O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful" (az-Zumar: 53)
These verses highlight the importance of purifying the soul and refraining from killing it or harming it through sinning. They also remind believers that Allah is merciful and forgiving, and encourages them to seek forgiveness for their sins and to strive towards spiritual purification.
"And by the soul (nafs) and He who proportioned it" (ash-Shams: 7)
"But as for he who feared the position of his Lord and prevented the soul (nafs) from [unlawful] inclination, then indeed, Paradise will be [his] refuge" (an-Nazi'at: 40-41)
"And do not follow your desire, as it will lead you astray from the way of Allah" (al-Qasas: 50)
"O you who have believed, let not your wealth and your children divert you from remembrance of Allah. And whoever does that - then those are the losers" (al-Munafiqun: 9)
These verses emphasize the importance of fearing Allah and avoiding unlawful inclinations and desires that can lead one astray. They also warn against being distracted by material wealth and worldly attachments, and encourage believers to prioritize their relationship with Allah above all else.
"Then He showed him what is wrong for him and what is right for him. Indeed, he succeeds who purifies his own self (nafs)" (ash-Shams: 8-9)
"And [by] the soul (nafs) and He who proportioned it. And inspired it [with discernment of] its wickedness and its righteousness. He has succeeded who purifies it, and he has failed who instills it [with corruption]" (ash-Shams: 7-10)
"And [mention, O Muhammad], when your Lord said to the angels, "I will create a human being out of clay from an altered black mud. And when I have proportioned him and breathed into him of My [created] soul (nafs), then fall down to him in prostration." (Sad: 71-72)
These verses emphasize the importance of purifying one's soul and striving to do good, while being mindful of the evil inclinations that can lead one astray. The last verse also mentions the creation of human beings from clay and Allah's breathing of His own soul into them, highlighting the spiritual nature of human beings and their potential to connect with Allah through their souls.
In summary, Nafs is an Arabic term that refers to the self or the soul of an individual. It is often used in the Quran to describe the inner state of a person, including their desires, inclinations, and motivations. The Quran describes the Nafs in different ways, including the commanding self (Nafs al-Ammara), the reproachful self (Nafs al-Lawwama), and the peaceful self (Nafs al-Mutma'inna). The Quran also emphasizes the importance of purifying and disciplining the Nafs in order to achieve spiritual growth and closeness to God.
No comments:
Post a Comment