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Nafs

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Nafs is an Arabic word meaning self. In Sufi teachings, it means more of false ego. When Sufis talk about opposing Nafs, they mean Nafs Ammara that is explained later.

It is first among the six Lataif (cleanliness) or Lataif-e-sitta.


Stages of Nafs


There are four stages of Nafs or egos that you encounter as you attempt to master them.

Nafs Ammara


The Dictating Ego: In its primitive stage, the ego tells one to commit evil. This is what Sufis refer to when they speak of fighting Nafs. The prophet Muhammed said after returning from a war, "We now return from the small struggle [Jihad Asghar] to the big struggle [Jihad Akbar]". His companions asked, "Oh prophet of God, what is the big struggle?". He replied, "The struggle against Nafs".


It has seven heads that must be chopped off:

  1. False Pride (Takabbur)
  2. Greed (Hirs)
  3. Jealousy (Hasad)
  4. Lust (Shahwah)
  5. Back Biting (Gheebah)
  6. Stinginess (Bokhl)
  7. Malice (Keena)

Nafs Lawwama


The Loathing Ego: This is the stage of awakening. Here the Nafs is inspired by your heart, sees the results of your actions, agrees with your brain, sees your weeknesses, and aspires to perfection.


Nafs Malhama


The Inspiring Ego: This is the stage of action. Once you have seen your weeknesses and have set your targets, this ego inspires you to do good deeds and to be on the plus side. Sufi says that it is important that whenever you think of good, you must immediately act upon it. Abbas Bin Abdul Muttalib lays down three rules:

  1. Ta'Jeel or Swiftness. A good dead must be done immediately and there should be no laziness
  2. Tehqeer or Contempt. You must look at your good acts with contempt otherwise you will become self-righteous
  3. Ikhfa or Secrecy. You must keep your good acts secret otherwise people will praise you and it will make your self righteous


Nafs Mutmaina


This Satisfied Ego: This is the ideal stage of ego for Sufis. In this stage, the Sufi will be relieved himself of all materialism and world problems and would be satisfied with the will of God.

The excerpts are translations the Persian text "Shahid ul Wojood", written two hundred years ago.