Self

In Islamic philosophy, the self is a reflection of the soul and encompasses the elements that define an individual's identity and character. The self is also the center of a person's desires, feelings, and thoughts. In Sufism, the self is initially referred to as 'Nafs al-Ammarah', which describes a state where negative inclinations are dominant. A person undergoes spiritual training to overcome this state, and during this process, the self transitions to the stage of 'Nafs al-Mutmainnah'. The teachings of Sufism aim for individuals to confront their self, gain control over it, and achieve spiritual virtues. Struggling with the self is an important step towards spiritual maturity, and thus it imposes the obligation on the individual to discipline their self.