THE IMPORTANCE OF THE NAFS

We find that the Mashaaikh often speak about the Nafs and it’s functions because if one does not understand the Nafs then your spiritual life becomes extremely difficult. One can never destroy the Nafs, but yes, one can control it, and every person’s Nafs responds differently according to the individual. Therefore, to achieve this Taqwa it is important that we understand the Nafs. The Nafs is the king of all evil, whatever evil we commit on the earth whether it is the evil of the eyes, ears, tongue, heart, or mind is the result of the Nafs who is the king and Shaytaan is it’s councillor. On the other hand the king of all good is the Rooh and the councillor to that Rooh is the Aql and intellect. Therefore these two parties are always fighting. When the Nafs desires something, Shaytaan is there to assist it in acheiving that which displeases ALLAH. On the other hand, you find that the Rooh is pushing for good deeds and the Aql and intellect is there to help it along. Therefore, the natural quality of the Aql is to be saleem, i.e. to give peace to fellow Muslims and human beings. However, because of the influence of the outside world the Aql sometimes changes its cause. If this Nafs was not important then the great and pious people of before would not attach so much importance to it.