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Well, the literal meaning of 'nafs' is 'The Soul which Commands'. Some scholars think that it's only the desire to do wrong things. Other suggest that it is the the desire to do all things that are for oneself but not out of need.
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nafs basically is refered to two entirely different things.
The only difference between alive and dead is breath or nafs or rooh.
1a. On a side note, in Urdu/Arabic languages we also use 'nafs' for word 'person' and 'nafoos' for word 'people'. And it is because we refer nafs as a person (who breaths).
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I think I am beginning to see light, thanks smoothie and Hunk :k:
PD, you may be right, but even in this modern day and age, I dont think anyone can expect to travel safely - whether in a car or in a plane - a woman is always vulnerable. There are always wierdos out there, people ready to pounce and take advantage. I think I’d prefer to have that sense of protection rather than gallavanting around by myself.
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"a woman is always vulnerable". Maybe in the muslim world. Where they are still treated as chattle.
You do such disservice to women all around the world. There are weirdos out there? the biggest weirdos are those who cannot figure out that that islamic decree is unadaptable for modern times and should be sent back.
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NOTE to Admin:
It seems that some people are here just to create trouble. If one is not interested in religion and getting information about it and discussing it in a positive way, they should not be allowed here. It only disrupts the atmosphere.
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How is this creatng trouble? Someone makes a statement that "..but even in this modern day and age, I dont think anyone can expect to travel safely - whether in a car or in a plane - a woman is always vulnerable"...to justify blind faith in anachronistic tenets.
Travel now is safer than it has ever been in the history of mankind. Traveling 20 miles in teh desert was much harsher in the 7th century than traveling 7000 miles for women 20 years ago. It is even more safe now. Which part of this do you disagree with? It is directly applicable to point catty raised.
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Common sense suggest that discussion should be done in calm manner. And Emotionally charged impolite words should be avoided at all costs
If you are not able to converse in calm fashion, please go and drink some water.
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How is my note to admin not valid but this nudniks ghoststory is? Who si creating trouble?
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Please notice " Someone is holding a Danda "
Avoid off-topic posts, And fasten your seatbelts 
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aaah the irony of it...you should change the name of this forum to the Illogical forum..where people can discuss all the irrelevant stuff from eons ago and how it illogically applies today and then take the danda and swing swing swing... enjoy the cluster ****
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My 1 cent:
The instructions on women travelling should not just be blindly applied without thinking about the larger picture. Its not that we should try our best to restrict women from walking around alone, but that we should make an effort to improve our society to the level where it is safe for any individual to do so. That should be our focus. What I don't understand is, if its the GOAL of society (such as an islamic society) to protect its citizens; then will punishing a woman who does walk alone result in them protecting the society or the woman? It would be better that they used the "policekeepers" who are busy punishing such women to instead provide them with a service by being close to the vicinity in case of an emergency (and also to act as a repelent to the real problem: idiotic men).
Hence, it makes more sense that this instruction on women is not an instruction but a recommendation until the societal conditions change to allow greater freedom.
I doubt God wants a 17 year old boy to walk down dark alley's at 2am all alone.
This is first most about safety and it is highly dependent on where this is occuring.
Dark-alley at 2am: don't walk alone and try to avoid anyways ..men or women
Mall at 11pm (if open): risk is extremely low due to presence of security
This is all commen sense people..i dont see why we have to become so dogmatic about these things.
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Nafs means different things in different contexts, ranging from 'soul, spirit, psyche, human being, person, essence, desire...'
A few Qur'anic examples:
"Every soul (nafs) will taste death" (29:57)
"Nay! I swear by the self-accusing soul (al nafs al lawwama)" (75:2)
"And as for him who fears to stand in the presence of his Lord and forbids the soul (al nafs) from low desire" (79:40)
"O soul that art at rest! (al nafs al mutmaina)" (89:27)
"On no soul (nafsan) does Allah place a burden greater than it can bear" (2:286)
"Moses said: "Have you slain an innocent person (nafsan)" (18:74)
"Thou knowest what is in my mind (nafsi), and I do not know what is in Thy mind (nafsik)" (5:116)
"Allah cautions you to beware of Himself (nafsahu)" (3:28)
"Whoever works righteousness benefits his own soul (fa li nafsihi); whoever works evil, it is against his own soul (fa alayha)" (41:46)
"Those saved from the covetousness of their own souls (nafsihi), they are the ones that achieve prosperity" (59:9)
"Shed no blood amongst you, nor turn out your own people (anfusakum) from your homes" (2:84)
"Come! let us gather together, our sons and your sons, our women and your women, ourselves (anfusana) and yourselves (anfusakum)" (3:61)
"The Prophet is closer to the believers than their own selves (anfusihim)" (33:6)
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PD, I don't think I'm doing a disservice to women. Perhaps in your perfect little world which is as large as an oyster shell, there is perfect harmony, where man and woman are equal in nature and strength and there is no violence and suppression of women.
As a woman who has travelled by herself, lived away from home for a few years, I can very well say that a woman should refrain from travelling by herself, especially on long journeys. But you wouldnt understand that as you're not a Muslim woman.
828 - ofcourse, we have to be sensible and use our heads when considering Islamic ruling on these issues. Women should be capable of driving, commuting from place to place, travelling be it by bus, train or air - however, she should do it within the limits of need and the situation.
Re: Couple of Questions
Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam
Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (AS)
The Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi
The Physical, Moral and Spiritual States of Man
In the first few pages of this paper I have set forth certain introductory matters which might at first sight seem irrelevant, and yet it is necessary to have a clear concept of those matters for the proper appreciation of the reply to the question that has been set out above.
*Three Types of Human Actions *
The first question relates to the natural and moral and spiritual states of man. The Holy Quran has indicated three separate sources of these three states. In other words, it has pointed out three springs out of which these respective states flow.
First Source: The Self That Incites to Evil
The first spring which is the source of all natural states is designated by the Holy Quran the Nafse Ammarah, which means the self that incites to evil, as it says: The mind of man is ever ready to incite to evil (12:54). This means that it is characteristic of the human self that it incites man to evil and is opposed to his attainment of perfection and to his moral state, and urges him towards undesirable and evil ways. Thus the propensity towards evil and intemperance is a human state which predominates over the mind of a person before he enters upon the moral state. This is man's natural state, so long as he is not guided by reason and understanding but follows his natural bent in eating, drinking, sleeping, waking, anger and provocation, like the animals. When a person is guided by reason and understanding and brings his natural state under control and regulates it in a proper manner, that state ceases to be his natural state and is called his moral state.
*Second Source: The Reproving Self *
The source of the moral state of man is designated by the Holy Quran Nafse Lawwama, as is said: I call to witness the reproving self (75:3); that is to say, I call to witness the self that reproves itself for every vice and intemperance. This reproving self is the second source of human state from which the moral state is generated. At this stage man ceases to resemble the animals. Calling it to witness is for the purpose of doing it honor, as if by advancing from the state of the self that is prone to evil and arriving at the state of the reproving self, it has become worthy of honor in divine estimation. It is so called as it reproves man on vice and is not reconciled to man's submitting to his natural desires and leading an unbridled existence like the animals. It desires that man should be in a good state and should practice good morals, and no kind of intemperance should be manifested in any aspect of human life, and natural emotions and desires should be regulated by reason. As it reproves every vicious movement, it is called the reproving self. Though it reproves itself in respect of vices, yet it is not fully effective in practicing virtue and occasionally it is dominated by natural emotions, when it stumbles and falls. It is like a weak child who does not wish to stumble and fall but does so out of weakness, and is then remorseful over his infirmity. In short, this is the moral state of human self when it seeks to comprehend within itself high moral qualities and is disgusted with disobedience, but cannot achieve complete success.
*The Third Source: The Soul at Rest *
The third source which should be described as the beginning of the spiritual state of man is called by the Holy Quran Nafse Mutmainnah, that is to say, the soul at rest, as is said: O soul at rest that has found comfort in God return to thy Lord, thou well pleased with Him and He well pleased with thee. Now join My chosen servants and enter into My garden (89:28-31). This is the stage when the soul of a person being delivered from all weaknesses is filled with spiritual powers and establishes a relationship with God Almighty without Whose support it cannot exist. As water flowing down from a height, on account of its volume and the absence of any obstruction, rushes with great force, in the same way the soul at rest flows towards God. That is indicated by the divine direction to the soul that has found comfort in God to return to its Lord. It undergoes a great transformation in this very life and is bestowed a paradise while still in this world. As this verse indicates in its direction to such a soul to return to its Lord, it is nourished by its Lord and its love of God becomes its nurture and it drinks at this fountain of life and is thus delivered from death. This is indicated at another place in the Holy Quran where it is said: He who purifies his soul of earthly passions shall be saved and shall not suffer ruin, but he who is overcome by his earthly passions should despair of life (91:10-11).
In short, these three states may be called the natural, moral and spiritual states of man. As the natural urges of man become very dangerous when they are roused and often destroy the moral and spiritual qualities, they are described in God's Holy Book as the self that incites to evil. It may be asked what is the attitude of the Holy Quran towards the natural state of man, what guidance does it furnish concerning it and how does it seek to control it? The answer is that according to the Holy Quran the natural state of man has a very strong relationship with his moral and spiritual states, so much so that even a person's manner of eating and drinking affects his moral and spiritual states. If the natural state of a person is subjected to the control of the directions of divine law it becomes his moral state and deeply affects his spirituality, as is said that whatever falls into a salt mine is converted into salt.
That is why the Holy Quran has laid stress on physical cleanliness and postures, and their regulation in relation to all worship and inner purity and spiritual humility. Reflection confirms that physical conditions deeply affect the soul. For instance, when our eyes are filled with tears, even if the tears are artificially induced, the heart is immediately affected and becomes sorrowful. In the same way, when we begin to laugh, even if the laughter is artificially induced, the heart begins to feel cheerful. It has also been observed that physical prostration in prayer induces humility in the soul. As a contrast when we draw ourselves up physically and strut about with our neck raised and our breast pushed forward, this attitude induces a mood of arrogance and vain glory. These instances establish clearly that physical conditions certainly affect spiritual conditions. Experience also shows that different types of food affect the intellect and the mind in different ways. For instance, careful observation would disclose that people who refrain altogether from eating meat gradually suffer a decline of the faculty of bravery; they lose courage and thus suffer the loss of a divinely bestowed praiseworthy faculty. This is reinforced by the evidence of the divine law of nature that the herbivorous animals do not possess the same degree of courage as do carnivorous ones. The same applies to birds. Thus there is no doubt that morals are affected by food. Conversely those who are given to a diet consisting mainly of meat and eat very little of greens suffer a decline of meekness and humility. Those who adopt the middle course develop both types of moral qualities. That is why God Almighty has said in the Holy Quran: Eat and drink but do not be immoderate (7:32); that is to say, eat meat and other foods but do not eat anything to excess, lest your moral state be adversely affected and your health might suffer.
As the soul is affected by physical conduct, in the same way sometimes the soul affects the body. For instance, when a person experiences sorrow his eyes become wet, and a person who feels happy smiles. All our natural actions like eating, drinking, sleeping, waking, moving about, resting, bathing etc., affect our spiritual condition. Our physical structure is related intimately to our total humanity. If a certain part of the brain is injured memory is immediately lost. An injury to another part of the brain causes loss of consciousness. Poisonous air affects the body and through it the mind, and the whole inner system, to which the moral impulses are related, is impaired and the unfortunate victim passes out quickly like a madman. Thus physical injuries disclose that there is a mysterious relationship between the soul and the body which is beyond the ken of man. Reflection shows that the body is the mother of the soul. The soul does not descend from outside into the womb of a pregnant woman. It is a light that is inherent in the sperm which begins to shine forth with the development of the embryo. The Word of God Almighty conveys to us that the soul becomes manifest from the framework that is prepared in the womb from the sperm, as is said in the Holy Quran: Then we develop it into a new creation. So blessed is Allah, the Best of Creators (23:15). This means that God bestows a new creation on the body that is prepared in the womb and that new creation is called the soul. Greatly blessed is God Who has no equal as a creator.
The affirmation that a new creation is manifested from the body is a mystery that reveals the reality of the soul and points to the strong relationship between the soul and the body. We are also instructed thereby that the same philosophy underlies the physical acts and words and movements when they are manifested in the cause of God, that is to say, all these sincere actions are charged with a soul as the sperm is charged with a soul. As the framework of those actions is developed, the soul with which they are charged begins to shine and when that framework becomes complete the soul inside it shines forth in its full manifestation and discloses its spiritual aspect. At that stage those actions become fully alive. This means that when the framework of actions is completed, something shines forth from it suddenly like a flash of lightning. This is the stage concerning which God Almighty says in the Holy Quran: When I have completed his framework and have set right all his manifestations of glory and have breathed into him My spirit, then fall down in prostration all of you, on his account (15:30). This verse indicates that when the framework of actions is completed, a soul shines forth in it, which God attributes to Himself inasmuch as that framework is completed at the cost of worldly life. Thus the divine light which is dim in the beginning suddenly flares up, so that on the beholding of this divine manifestation, it becomes incumbent on everyone to fall into prostration and to be drawn to it. Everyone perceiving that light falls into prostration and is naturally drawn to it, except Iblis who loves darkness.
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Cat-woman,
Shouldn’t everyone do things within the limits of the need and the situation? Why are you trying to put some psychological constraint on women?
Are men given free-reign on what they are to do? If so..why? Why not limit men and let women roam? After all, statistically..men have a worse effect on society and mother nature then women. We should do something about this male-problem.:bash:
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nafs deifinitely means desire..faisal bhai u r correct
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Good points cat-woman. Refreshing to not hear a western feminist brainwashed rant once in a while. :)
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Do these rules preclude a woman from being an astronaut?