Nafs al-Ammarah

Nafs al-Ammarah is an Arabic term that represents the most basic and evil emotions within humans. In Sufism, the term 'nafs' is considered to encompass the desires, wishes, and inclinations within a person, while Nafs al-Ammarah refers to the worst and most rebellious of these inclinations. This type of self is the source of a person's bad behaviors and rebellions. To cope with this self, one must undertake various spiritual methods and training. According to Sufi thought, every person is born with Nafs al-Ammarah, but this condition continues as long as the person does not discipline their self. A person can escape this state of self by passing through various stages in the journey of spiritual development. Overcoming Nafs al-Ammarah leads to the moral and spiritual maturation and the spiritual development of the individual.