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-i Ammara', which describes a state where negative inclinations dominate a person. To overcome this state, one undergoes spiritual training, and during this process, the self transitions to the stage of 'Nafs-i Mutmainna'. The teaching of Sufism aims for the individual to confront their self, control it, and achieve spiritual virtues. Struggling with the self is an important step towards spiritual maturation, and thus it imposes the obligation on the individual to discipline their self.