Stages of NAFS

Society Religion & Philosophy
1

AOA

I have started reading about stages of nafs and would like detailed information about each stage.Are t heir any helpful books or Websites that you may suggest. All I have found is the Wikipedia ones

Thankyou

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Asalaamu Alaikum wr wb,

The spirit or nafs of a human being is compsed of 4 qualities,

a)ruboobiya qualities, where the nafs persuades the heart to take the qualities of arrogance, pride,self apprisal and self appreciation.

b)shaytaniyya qualities, where the nafs pushes and insists upon the heart to be envious of someone, to express anger, play tricks on others, and harm other beings,

c)haywaniyya or animal qualities, like those of eating, drinking, sleeping, having conjugal relations,

d)Uboodiya qualities, where the nafs requires and persuades the heart to be God concious, to have mercy to the creation, and bear care and kindness to others.

Hope that helps in some way, Please remember me in your duas. Wasalaam

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Re: Stages of NAFS

This is where I was getting my info
Nafs is an Arabic word meaning self or psyche.[1]](Nafs - Wikipedia) It is first among the six Lataif (cleanliness) or Lataif-e-sitta.
In Sufi teachings, it means more of false ego. When Sufis talk about opposing Nafs, they mean Nafs Ammara that is explained later. For psychological interpretations of Nafs, see Islamic psychological thought.
Nafs-i-ammara (The Commanding Self)

The Quran refers to “the Nafs commanding to evil” (Qur’an 12:53]). 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 Muhammad 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”[4]](Nafs - Wikipedia).
It has seven heads that must be defeated:

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

edit] Nafs-i-lawwama (The Regretful Self)

The Quran refers to “the regretful Nafs” (Qur’an 75:2])This is the stage of awakening. On this level the conscience is awakened and the self accuses one for listening to one’s ego. One repents and asks for forgiveness, but falls back into bad behaviour.
Here the Nafs is inspired by your heart, sees the results of your actions, agrees with your brain, sees your weaknesses, and aspires to perfection.

Nafs-i-mulhama (The Inspired Self)

This is the stage of action. On this level one becomes more firm in listening to one’s conscience, but is not yet surrendered.
Once you have seen your weaknesses 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 deed 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 you self righteous
  • Comment: Charity should be given both secretly and openly, as mentioned in Qur’an 14:31 “[And] tell [those of] My servants who have attained to faith that they should be constant in prayer and spend [in Our way], secretly and openly, out of what We provide for them as sustenance, ere there come a Day when there will be no bargaining, and no mutual befriending.” from Muhammad Asad’s translation, Quran Search

Nafs-i-mutma’inna (The Contented Self)

The Quran refers to “the Nafs at peace” (Qur’an 89:27]). This is the ideal stage of ego for Sufis. On this level one is firm in one’s faith and leaves bad manners behind. The soul becomes tranquil, at peace.
At this stage Sufis will have relieved themselves of all materialism and worldly problems and be satisfied with the will of God.

Nafs-i-radiyya (The Pleased Self)

On this level one is pleased with whatever comes from Allah and doesn’t live in the past or future, but in the moment. One thinks always: ‘Ilahi Anta Maqsudi wa ridhaka matlubi’. One always sees oneself as weak and in need of Allah.

Nafs-i-mardiyya (The Pleasing Self)

On this level the two Ruhs in man have made peace. One is soft and tolerant with people and has good Akhlak, good manners.

Nafs-i-safiyya (The Pure Self)

On this level one is dressed in the attributes of the Insan Kamil, the perfected man, who is completely surrendered and inspired by Allah. One is in full agreement with the Will of Allah.

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Re: Stages of NAFS

some 1 said every thing is fair in love & war, bt 2 my surprise love is connected 2 lust, can any body tel me tht wht is love actually? is it nt the part of nafs?

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Nafs-ul-Ammara, which most of us are probably at is the nafs which commands you to sin, like said above. If you again read the post above, fighting lust is there.

Timepass - March 2014
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Only Allah puts love into the hearts of people. Sometimes Allah removes the love from people because of something in their hearts which Allah does not like. When you see haraam relationships going on the people are not in real love, they may care for each other and have strong feelings of lust but true love is only put into the hearts of 2 people when they do nikah legitimatley. Only Allah puts love into the hearts of people. Allah put so much love into the hearts of mothers for their children but Allah loves us 70 more than a mother loves its children! Subhanallah - REPEAT IT

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Re: Stages of NAFS

thanx 4 the clear answer. i apreciate it.