There are three types of nafs*:
1.al-nafs al-ammara,
2.al-nafs al-lawwama and
3.al-nafs al-mutma’inna
1.al-nafs al-ammara
The nafs al-ammara is dominated by inner desires, self-satisfaction and immediate gratification — “The human soul is certainly prone to evil” (12:53) — namely, greed, power and dominance without regard for right or wrong, justice or inequity. It seeks the pleasures of this world and embraces such characteristics as self-admiration and self-praise, arrogance and pride, lying, gossip and backbiting, envy and jealousy, criticism, dissatisfaction, selfishness, greed and love of self. Any individual is urged to control such desires by treating others with humility, respect, dignity and similar qualities.
Wama obarrio nafsee inna alnnafsa laammaratun bialssooi illa ma rahima rabbee inna rabbee ghafoorun raheemun
وَمَآ أُبَرِّئُ نَفْسِىٓ إِنَّ ٱلنَّفْسَ لَأَمَّارَةٌۢ بِٱلسُّوٓءِ إِلَّا مَا رَحِمَ رَبِّىٓ إِنَّ رَبِّى غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
The nafs al-ammara is like a wild horse upon which you are riding. If you move your attention for one second, he will throw you off.”
Both al-Nafs al-Lawwama and al-Nafs al-Mutma'inna may be considered as stages in the spiritual journey of an individual. It begins with self-awareness, recognizing one's flaws and seeking repentance (al-Nafs al-Lawwama), and culminates in a state of inner peace and contentment with God's decree (al-Nafs al-Mutma'inna). This spiritual growth and purification of the soul are integral aspects of Qurans teachings and practices.
The highest jihad (that I can take from the Quran ) one should strive for is, to win over "nafs al-ammara" I.e the (al-jihad al-akbar) through jihad with one's heart (bil-qalb), with one's tongue (bil-lisan), with one's hand (bil-yad). This shall the most noble and relevant jihad.
Only this can bring peace to the mankind, rest jihad I.e. with a sword (bil-sayf) shall neither be required nor be relevant.
* This article is my own interpretation for being a better human being as well in a pursuit of a better world .
"Nafs" (نَفْس) is an Arabic term that has several meanings, depending on the context in which it is used. It is a word with deep philosophical and spiritual significance in Islamic thought, but it is also used in everyday language.
Soul/Self: In Islamic spirituality and psychology, "nafs" refers to the individual's self or soul. It is the inner dimension of a person, including their thoughts, emotions, desires, and consciousness. The nafs is believed to be influenced by both positive and negative forces, and part of the spiritual journey in Islam involves purifying the nafs and aligning it with the will of Allah.
Ego: In a broader psychological sense, "nafs" can be understood as the ego or the lower self, which can lead a person to self-centeredness, arrogance, and other negative traits. Overcoming the negative aspects of the nafs is considered essential in achieving spiritual growth and closeness to God.
Breath: In Arabic, "nafs" can also simply mean "breath" or "the act of breathing." This is a more literal and basic meaning of the word.
Given the spiritual and multifaceted nature of the term, interpretations of "nafs" may vary slightly within different cultural and religious contexts. However, in Islamic teachings, the concept of nafs plays a central role in understanding human nature and the path towards self-improvement and closeness to the divine.
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