Renewal of the Heart and Soul

Phase 1 – Entering Ramadhan – Understanding the Heart and Soul

Know Your Heart, Awaken Your Soul

The Relationship Between the Heart (Qalb) and the Soul (Nafs)

In our previous discussions, we learned that the qalb is the spiritual centre of belief and intention, while the nafs is the inner self that experiences desires and inclinations. But how do these two interact? How do they shape who we become?

Understanding the relationship between the heart and the soul is essential, because much of our spiritual struggle happens in the space between them.

The qalb is like a leader — it perceives truth, recognizes guidance, and inclines toward Allah. The nafs, on the other hand, is like a force within us that pulls toward desire, comfort, and immediate satisfaction. When the heart is strong and connected to Allah, it guides and disciplines the nafs. But when the heart is weak or heedless, the nafs begins to dominate.

Allah describes this internal tension when He says:

﴿وَنَفْسٍ وَمَا سَوَّاهَا ۝ فَأَلْهَمَهَا فُجُورَهَا وَتَقْوَاهَا ۝ قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَن زَكَّاهَا ۝ وَقَدْ خَابَ مَن دَسَّاهَا﴾

“By the soul and He who proportioned it, and inspired it with its wickedness and its righteousness. Successful indeed is the one who purifies it, and failed is the one who corrupts it.” (Surah Ash-Shams 91: 7–10)

This passage highlights something profound: the soul has the capacity for both righteousness and wrongdoing. The determining factor is whether it is purified (tazkiyah) or neglected. And what purifies it? A heart that is conscious of Allah.

The Prophet ﷺ taught that the heart is the controlling centre of the body:

أَلَا وَإِنَّ فِي الْجَسَدِ مُضْغَةً… أَلَا وَهِيَ الْقَلْبُ

“Indeed, in the body there is a piece of flesh… indeed, it is the heart.” (Bukhari, Muslim)

If the heart is sound, it regulates the desires of the nafs. It reminds the soul of accountability, of the Hereafter, and of Allah’s pleasure. But if the heart becomes hardened through sin or neglect, the nafs finds freedom to pursue whatever it desires.

This is why the struggle against the nafs is often called the greater jihad — the internal striving to align one’s desires with divine guidance. The Prophet ﷺ said:

الْمُجَاهِدُ مَنْ جَاهَدَ نَفْسَهُ فِي طَاعَةِ اللَّهِ

“The true struggler (mujahid) is the one who strives against his own soul in obedience to Allah.” (Tirmidhi)

Notice that obedience to Allah requires effort against the nafs. That effort begins in the heart.

When the heart remembers Allah through dhikr, reflects upon the Qur’an, and humbles itself in prayer, it grows stronger. Allah says:

﴿أَلَا بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوبُ﴾

“Indeed, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find tranquillity.” (Surah Ar-Ra’d 13: 28)

A tranquil heart brings calmness to the nafs. Instead of chasing every desire, the soul begins to feel satisfied with what pleases Allah. This is the journey from nafs al-ammarah (commanding soul) to nafs al-mutmainnah (peaceful soul).

Ramadhan provides the perfect training ground for this relationship. When we fast, the nafs desires food and drink, but the heart reminds it: Allah is watching. When anger rises, the heart whispers: I am fasting. When laziness creeps in, the heart urges the soul toward prayer.

The more the heart leads, the more disciplined the nafs becomes. The more the nafs obeys, the more peaceful the entire being feels.

If the qalb and nafs work together under the guidance of revelation, the result is harmony — a believer whose desires align with faith. But if the nafs overpowers the heart, confusion and restlessness take over.

As we continue this Ramadhan, we must ask ourselves: Who is leading within me? Is my heart guiding my soul, or is my soul dragging my heart?

The renewal of the heart and soul begins when the heart returns to its rightful place — as the leader, illuminated by the light of Allah’s guidance.