Self
"The self represents the essence of a person; it is central to moral and spiritual development."
Spiritual & Deep Meaning
The self expresses a person's inner world, desires, and wishes. In Islamic culture and Sufi teachings, there are levels of the self. Among these levels are the self that commands evil (nafs al-ammara), the self that blames (nafs al-lawwama), and the tranquil self (nafs al-mutma'inna). From a Sufi perspective, the training of the self is essential for the development of the soul. While the self may sometimes guide a person towards goodness, it is often the source of negative desires. Therefore, it is recommended that individuals train their self; this is an important part of their spiritual journey.
Example / Wisdom Quote
"The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, 'He who knows his self knows his Lord.'"
Spiritual Dictionary
Continue expanding your spiritual vocabulary
Nafs al-Ammarah
Nafs al-Ammarah is the level of the self that represents the lowest and worst desires of a person.
SufismNafs al-Lawwama
Nafs al-Lawwama is the level of the self where the individual criticizes themselves and questions their mistakes.
nafs al-mutma'innaNafs al-Mutma'inna
Nafs al-Mutma'inna is the highest level of the self where a person finds peace with Allah and themselves.