The word “Nafs” or its derivatives has been used in the
Glorious Qur’an 298 times. It is a wide and broad topic, hence we are
concentrating on the Ayahs 7 to 10 of
Surah ash-Shams which says: “…and by the soul and that (Power) Who designed it
and inspired it with knowledge of evil and piety, those who purify their souls
will certainly have everlasting happiness and those who corrupt their souls
will certainly be deprived (of happiness).”
In this Surah, the word “Nafs “may be referred to for
both body and soul. And also the word “Alahamaha” may be used in Arabic for
meaning drinking or gulping, but some translators believe that its root word is
“Ilham”. The person who receives “Ilham” does not know the sender while in case of “Wahi” or revelation, the receiver
knows the sender and the messenger. In
this Surah, the All-Mighty Allah have sworn on His other “Signs” like sun,
moon, day, night, sky, and earth. Then He is swearing on the soul or “Nafs” and
Himself Who designed it.
After acquiring the knowledge about vice and virtue, it
is within the power of every soul to protect it from sins and vices, perform
virtuous deeds and develop his Nafs to the zenith of piety.
Human beings are the combination of body and soul. Body
is matter while soul is not matter. We need food for the growth of our body and
the food for soul is knowledge (Ilm). There is a limit for the consumption of
food for body but there is no limit for acquiring knowledge. Dream is a good
manifestation of soul. When we dream, our bodies are in the bed while the soul
travels to any part of the world. We cannot see beyond our scope of vision but
the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) could see at the back as perfectly as in front.
In order to attain perfection of soul, we need the
knowledge (Ilm) and virtuous deeds (Amal). Any one of the two is insufficient. The alphabets of both Ilm and Amal are the
same-Ain, Laam, Meem. To attain perfection of Nafs (soul), we need the
knowledge (Ilm) and in the light of knowledge we should perform (Virtuous)
deeds. As the knowledge increases it becomes part of faith (Yaqeen). There is no limit of faith (Yaqeen). Hence, Allah (s.w.t.) ordered the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) to pray
for the increase of knowledge- Rabbe Zidni Ilma. Surah Ta-Ha Ayah 114: “Allah
is the Most High and the True King, (Muhammad), do not be hasty in reading the
revelation to the people before its revelation is completed. Say, “My Lord,
grant me more knowledge.” The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) prayed for more and
more knowledge and whatever knowledge he received, he transferred it to the
Gateway of Knowledge, the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (a.s.). Hence, in
one of His sermons, Imam Ali (a.s.) had said that there will not be any change
in his faith even if the curtains were removed for him.”
There is a
tradition of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.): “Whoever sees me as if he is
seeing the haq.” Imam Ali (a.s.) is “Nafs-e-Rasul”. That is the reason the
Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) said: “Looking at Ali is ibadat (prayer), Ali is
with haq and haq is with Ali. O Allah, turn the haq wherever Ali goes.” For the
generations who came after Imam Ali (a.s.), it is narrated that zikr of Imam
Ali (a.s.) is ibadat (prayer); Azadari is ibadat (prayer). Imam Ali (a.s.) had
said: “Whoever knows his soul (Nafs) knows his Creator”
During our life-time we see through our eyes, hear with
our ears; hence Nafs comprehends things with the help of the five senses, but
as soon as the Nafs leaves this material body, it does not need the five
senses. Hence, the Noble Prophet
(s.a.w.a.s) having supreme Nafs, even now sees and hears everything.
The unit of faith or
(Yaqeen) is Salaat or namaaz. It is one of the most important factors of the
progress of our souls.
Hakim Luqman said to
his son: “Son, Take care of your Nafs (soul). Always think that Allah is in
front of you. He is watching your activities, speech, actions and thought. So
do such deeds that please Allah.
Sources used:
The Glorious Qur’an, Nahjul Balagha, Wasiyatnama, LastWill
& Testament by Ayatollah Shaikh Abdullah Mamkani
Marefat-e-Nafs by Ayatollah Sayyid Aqeel-ul-Gharavi
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