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.
- 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.
- 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.
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