Renewal of the Heart and Soul

Phase 1 – Entering Ramadhan – Understanding the Heart and Soul

Know Your Heart, Awaken Your Soul

How the Soul (Nafs) Influences Our Choices and Behaviour

Every day, we make countless decisions — what to say, how to respond, whether to act with patience or anger, generosity or selfishness. While we often think these choices are random or situational, Islam teaches us that they are deeply connected to the state of our nafs, our inner self.

The nafs is the driving force behind our impulses, emotions, and reactions. It pushes, desires, resists, and inclines. If it is disciplined and purified, it guides us toward goodness. If it is neglected, it can lead us toward sin and regret.

Allah makes this clear when He says:

﴿إِنَّ النَّفْسَ لَأَمَّارَةٌ بِالسُّوءِ إِلَّا مَا رَحِمَ رَبِّي﴾

“Indeed, the soul is surely inclined to command evil, except those upon whom my Lord has mercy.” (Surah Yusuf 12: 53)

This verse refers to nafs al-ammarah, the commanding soul — the aspect of the self that seeks immediate gratification. It prefers comfort over discipline, anger over patience, pride over humility. Left unchecked, it influences our behaviour in subtle but powerful ways.

For example, when someone offends us, the nafs urges revenge or harsh words. When we see someone succeed, it may whisper envy. When we feel tired during fasting, it may push toward laziness in prayer. These impulses originate within the nafs.

Yet Allah has not left us without guidance. He reminds us that we are accountable for how we respond to these internal urges:

﴿وَكُلُّهُمْ آتِيهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ فَرْدًا﴾

“And each of them will come to Him on the Day of Resurrection alone.” (Surah Maryam 19: 95)

We are responsible for disciplining our souls. This is why the Prophet ﷺ taught self-restraint as a sign of true strength:

لَيْسَ الشَّدِيدُ بِالصُّرَعَةِ، إِنَّمَا الشَّدِيدُ الَّذِي يَمْلِكُ نَفْسَهُ عِندَ الغَضَبِ

“The strong person is not the one who overcomes others in wrestling, but the one who controls himself when angry.” (Bukhari 6114, Muslim 2609)

Notice that true strength lies in mastering the nafs. When anger rises, the soul influences behaviour — but the believer chooses control. When temptation appears, the nafs calls — but the heart remembers Allah.

The Qur’an also speaks of a higher stage of the soul:

﴿وَلَا أُقْسِمُ بِالنَّفْسِ اللَّوَّامَةِ﴾

“And I swear by the self-reproaching soul.” (Surah Al-Qiyamah 75: 2)

This is nafs al-lawwamah, the soul that feels remorse after wrongdoing. It is a sign of life within the believer. When we sin and feel regret, it means our conscience is active. That regret influences future behaviour — encouraging repentance and improvement.

Ultimately, the goal is to reach the highest level:

﴿يَا أَيَّتُهَا النَّفْسُ الْمُطْمَئِنَّةُ ۝ ارْجِعِي إِلَىٰ رَبِّكِ رَاضِيَةً مَّرْضِيَّةً﴾

“O tranquil soul, return to your Lord, pleased and pleasing.” (Surah Al-Fajr 89: 27–28)

This is the nafs al-mutmainnah — the peaceful soul. Its choices reflect faith naturally. Patience becomes easier. Generosity feels natural. Obedience becomes beloved.

Ramadhan is a month of training the nafs. When we abstain from halal food and drink for the sake of Allah, we prove to our souls that obedience is possible. When we lower our gaze, control our tongues, and increase charity, we reshape our habits.

Every time we choose patience over anger, forgiveness over revenge, sincerity over showing off — we are shaping our nafs.

So as we move forward in Ramadhan, we should ask ourselves:

What is influencing my behaviour today? Is it my desires, or my devotion? My impulses, or my Imaan?

The renewal of the heart and soul is not an abstract idea. It is found in daily choices — in every moment where the soul calls, and the heart answers with remembrance of Allah.