Renewal of the Heart and Soul

Phase 1 – Entering Ramadhan – Understanding the Heart and Soul

Know Your Heart, Awaken Your Soul

Understanding the Struggling Soul

Nafs al-Ammārah & Nafs al-Lawwāmah

Introduction: What is the Nafs?

Allah speaks about the nafs (soul/self) in the Qur’an in different states. The scholars explain that the nafs is not three different souls — but one soul that moves through different conditions depending on our choices, environment, and relationship with Allah.

In this discussion, we focus on the two struggling stages of the soul.

1. Nafs al-Ammārah (The Soul that Commands Evil)

Mentioned in the Qur’an in Surah Yusuf:

إِنَّ ٱلنَّفْسَ لَأَمَّارَةٌۢ بِٱلسُّوٓءِ ۚ

“Indeed, the soul is surely a persistent enjoiner of evil…” — Qur’an 12:53

This is the lowest state of the soul.

Characteristics:

• Inclined toward desires
• Easily tempted
• Justifies wrongdoing
• Acts impulsively
• Prioritizes dunya over akhirah

This soul:

Says “Just this once.”

Delays repentance.

Loves comfort over discipline.

It is not that a person is evil — but the soul is uncontrolled.

Reflection:

Every one of us experiences this state. When we feel lazy to pray, when anger controls us, when we gossip — that is the nafs al-ammārah pulling us.

The danger is when a person becomes comfortable in this state and stops feeling guilty.

2. Nafs al-Lawwāmah (The Self-Reproaching Soul)

Mentioned in Surah Al-Qiyāmah:

وَلَآ أُقْسِمُ بِٱلنَّفْسِ ٱللَّوَّامَةِ

“And I swear by the self-reproaching soul.” — Qur’an 75: 2

This is the awakening soul.

Characteristics:

• Feels guilt after sin
• Reflects on actions
• Struggles internally
• Makes tawbah
• Wants to improve

This soul:

• Says, “Why did I do that?”
• Feels regret after missing salah
• Cries after wrongdoing
• Keeps trying again
• This stage is a sign of Imaan. Feeling guilty is a mercy from Allah.

Important Point:

The believer constantly moves between Ammārah and Lawwāmah. The struggle itself is worship.

Closing Reflection

Ask:

• When I sin, do I feel regret?
• Do I justify my mistakes?
• Am I fighting my nafs or feeding it?

The goal is not perfection.

The goal is progress.