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Inner Life
Inner Life
Levels of the Nafs - with Qur'an Authentications
Levels of the Nafs
1. Nafs al-ammaara bi is-suuw‘i, commanding to contention
Context: Yusuf is being examined by Pharoh after interpreting the dreams. He is saying
that he is not vying for Pharoh's place as would an ambitious man. Yusuf says that the
interpretation of dreams comes by Mercy, not by evil divination. Pharoh then awards him
the title of wazir after understanding his state, that Yusuf is not an ambitious usurper, but
Merciful by Power.
bi‘ismi illaahi ir-Rahmaan, ir-Raheem
in the Name God, the Merciful, the Compassionate.
wa maa ubarri’u nafsiy,
and not contending/vieing (are) my thoughts (for your position, Pharoh)
inna an-nafsa la ammaratu bi is-suuw‘i
surely the thought (is) by commanding in the abuse/disharmony (by nature).
illa maa rahima rabbiy.
except what Mercy Lord (sends)(to override that nature)
inna rabbiy ghafuruw raheem.
surely my Lord (is) a Forgiver, a Merciful.
(Qur'an 12:53)
Qualities: pride, enmity, cruelty, lust, stinginess, ambition.
ubarri'u II = contending/vying/usurping/displacing
suuwa’u = abuse/violence/disunity/jealousy
ammarat II = commanding/insisting forcefully/tasking - amir = commander
2. Nafs al-lawwamat: blaming/guilty nafs
Context: Tafseer says that if you have stood against Islaam, then Allaah swears: No! By
seeing this come to pass and accepting, and then through the feeling of guilt for standing
against Islaam, you can reckon. The ayat is supporting lawwamat as accepted thinking by
oath . If you feel guilty, you could form a repentance from that self awareness.
bi‘ismi illaahi ir-Rahmaan, ir-Raheem
in the Name God, the Merciful, the Compassionate.
laa uqsimu bi yawm al-qiyaamat
no! divide/examine/reckon by the day, the standing upright
wa laa uqsimu bi in-nafsi il-lawwamat
and no! divide/examine/reckon by the thoughts, the guilty
(Qur'an 75:2)
Qualities: backbiting, trickery, conceitedness, hypocrisy, self-consciousness, guilt,
fearfulness, wishful thinking, intense desire to please others.
uqsimu = IV - oath or established truth, to divide/reckon/examine by an agreement
qiyaamat = standing/erected/upright
Example: qawm al-kafiriyn = uprising/division/assertiveness of the disbelievers.
3. Nafs Mulhama: Inspired (musing) Nafs - ilham
Context: Surat ash-Shams; Allaah is swearing by the clear examples of the sun, the moon,
the daylight, the night, the heavens, and the earth. So in this example, so too is the human
soul (nafs) similar in this clarity, by Oath. By inspiration of thought this strengthens the
refuge and proximity. By growth in purity and refinement this ultimate success increases.
bi‘ismi illaahu ur-Rahmaan, ir-Raheem
in the Name God, the Merciful, the Compassionate.
wa nafsiw wa maa sawwaahaa
and a self and like similar/equivalent
faa alhamahaa fu juwrhaa taqwaahaa
then inspiration to your proximity/nearness/refuge, strengthening
qad aflaha man zakkaahaa
established, an ultimate success, then growing/increasing/progressing (purifying)
(Qur'an 91:8)
Qualities: generosity, gratitude, modesty, empathy; lacking discretion, spiritual inflation.
sawwaa’ = equal/similar/clear
lahamat = inspiration/diversion from/occupy
ujuwr = near/close by/proximate/ in refuge
qawiyy = strong/powerful/overpowering - taqwaa (verb) = strengthening/fearing by
awareness
aflah = falah is success - IV is ultimate success
zaka’ = II - growing in stature/progressing in state - zakiyya = purified/refined
4. Nafs al-Mutmaina: Tranquil Nafs
bi‘ismi illaahi ir-Rahmaan, ir-Raheem
in the Name God, the Merciful, the Compassionate.
yaa ayyuhaa an-nafsu al-mutma’innat
oh you all the minds (are) the tranquil/quiessent
arji’iy ilaa rabbiki radiyyatam mardiyyatan
return upon your Lord satisfied/happy, contented/silent
fa adkhuliy fiy ‘ibaadiy
then enter by worship/love (of God)
wa adkhuliy jannat.
and enter a garden
(Qur'an 89:27)
Qualities: dignity, sincerity, courage, compassion, complete loyalty, spiritual ambition.
tama’n = non moving/quiet/tranquil - mutma’innat = station of clarity/quiescence/silence
raduw = peaciful/quiet/repose - radiyyat = satifaction/pleased
mardiyyat = decorated/rewarded in quiet/silence/reward
ridwan = a quiet one - one that is finished
‘ibaadiy = lovers/worshippers/emulators of God (sound plural)
as they esteem God, so to are they estimed by God.
5. Nafs ir-Raduwiyya: Satisfied Nafs
Return to your Lord, content - (Qur'an 89:28)(same as above)
Qualities: personal acceptance of affliction, endurance, resignation, constancy.
6. Nafs al-Marduwiyya: Rewarded Nafs
- or His being pleased with you! (Qur'an 89:28)
Qualities: knowledge of Allah, sincerity, faith, and hope in existential communion.
7. Nafs ad-Darajaat Maghfirat: High Station Nafs
bi‘ismi illaahi ir-Rahmaan, ir-Raheem
in the Name God, the Merciful, the Compassionate.
wa faddala allaahu al-mujaahidiyn ‘alaa al-qaa’idiyn ajraan ‘azhiman
and benefitted (them, by) God, the strivers, upon the resistance, a reward, a Tremendous
darajaatim minhu wa maghfirataw wa rahmatan.
a divine/high station from Himselfand forgiveness/protection and Mercy
wa kaana allaahu ghafuwrar rahiymmaan.
and made God a Forgiveness, Mercies
(Qur'an 4:96)
Qualities: freedom from duality, acceptance of Allah's will, joy of union, freedom from
expectation, contentment.
faddal = II - benefit/prefered/blessed
qa’ad = intractable/unmoving/resistant
darajaat = high lofty stations - divinely high states
maghfirat = ongoing forgiveness - implies a state where protection is, by virtue of
continual forgiveness and trust.
A state where you are accepted, a station where you would be relieved of difficulties
because of the import of the station you occupy. That is faddal, or preferred favor.
Except him who repents, and believes and does good works; For those, Allah will change
their evil deeds to good deeds. Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Qur'an 25:70)
8. Nafs as-Safiyya: Pure and Perfected Nafs
This is a high nafs that has the quality of Perfection and Purity. This is a state where a
mureed would not be in this world. If his body is here, it is known that his heart and being
are not. This is more commonly called "Sophia" by other writers.
This is known by the statement; laa ialaaha ill allaahu Aadam safiyallaah (as).
This is the original station where Adam was forst created and before he reached form. In
the Qur'an the story is told that Adam knew the names of all the creations in the garden.
In this sense the nafs safiyya is the pure state that exists before this world and the shaytan
degraded the creation to mislead men.
Note:
This list is not suggesting that these nafs levels are mutually exclusive. You will find
times when you have remarkable clarity of ridwan. Other times you may feel the amara
nafs commanding you to eat from hunger. The movement will gradually rise as you work
on your spirituality. As this happens to you, you will feel satisfaction of peace from the
effects of that station.
Some authorities will denote different words for these states, but the qualities of the nafs
will be know by its actions.
Jesus said (as): "A tree will be known by it's fruit. A good tree can not produce
bad fruit, and a bad tree can not produce good fruit."
Top
1. Nafs al-ammaara bi is-suuw‘i, commanding to contention
Context: Yusuf is being examined by Pharoh after interpreting the dreams. He is saying
that he is not vying for Pharoh's place as would an ambitious man. Yusuf says that the
interpretation of dreams comes by Mercy, not by evil divination. Pharoh then awards him
the title of wazir after understanding his state, that Yusuf is not an ambitious usurper, but
Merciful by Power.
bi‘ismi illaahi ir-Rahmaan, ir-Raheem
in the Name God, the Merciful, the Compassionate.
wa maa ubarri’u nafsiy,
and not contending/vieing (are) my thoughts (for your position, Pharoh)
inna an-nafsa la ammaratu bi is-suuw‘i
surely the thought (is) by commanding in the abuse/disharmony (by nature).
illa maa rahima rabbiy.
except what Mercy Lord (sends)(to override that nature)
inna rabbiy ghafuruw raheem.
surely my Lord (is) a Forgiver, a Merciful.
(Qur'an 12:53)
Qualities: pride, enmity, cruelty, lust, stinginess, ambition.
ubarri'u II = contending/vying/usurping/displacing
suuwa’u = abuse/violence/disunity/jealousy
ammarat II = commanding/insisting forcefully/tasking - amir = commander
2. Nafs al-lawwamat: blaming/guilty nafs
Context: Tafseer says that if you have stood against Islaam, then Allaah swears: No! By
seeing this come to pass and accepting, and then through the feeling of guilt for standing
against Islaam, you can reckon. The ayat is supporting lawwamat as accepted thinking by
oath . If you feel guilty, you could form a repentance from that self awareness.
bi‘ismi illaahi ir-Rahmaan, ir-Raheem
in the Name God, the Merciful, the Compassionate.
laa uqsimu bi yawm al-qiyaamat
no! divide/examine/reckon by the day, the standing upright
wa laa uqsimu bi in-nafsi il-lawwamat
and no! divide/examine/reckon by the thoughts, the guilty
(Qur'an 75:2)
Qualities: backbiting, trickery, conceitedness, hypocrisy, self-consciousness, guilt,
fearfulness, wishful thinking, intense desire to please others.
uqsimu = IV - oath or established truth, to divide/reckon/examine by an agreement
qiyaamat = standing/erected/upright
Example: qawm al-kafiriyn = uprising/division/assertiveness of the disbelievers.
3. Nafs Mulhama: Inspired (musing) Nafs - ilham
Context: Surat ash-Shams; Allaah is swearing by the clear examples of the sun, the moon,
the daylight, the night, the heavens, and the earth. So in this example, so too is the human
soul (nafs) similar in this clarity, by Oath. By inspiration of thought this strengthens the
refuge and proximity. By growth in purity and refinement this ultimate success increases.
bi‘ismi illaahu ur-Rahmaan, ir-Raheem
in the Name God, the Merciful, the Compassionate.
wa nafsiw wa maa sawwaahaa
and a self and like similar/equivalent
faa alhamahaa fu juwrhaa taqwaahaa
then inspiration to your proximity/nearness/refuge, strengthening
qad aflaha man zakkaahaa
established, an ultimate success, then growing/increasing/progressing (purifying)
(Qur'an 91:8)
Qualities: generosity, gratitude, modesty, empathy; lacking discretion, spiritual inflation.
sawwaa’ = equal/similar/clear
lahamat = inspiration/diversion from/occupy
ujuwr = near/close by/proximate/ in refuge
qawiyy = strong/powerful/overpowering - taqwaa (verb) = strengthening/fearing by
awareness
aflah = falah is success - IV is ultimate success
zaka’ = II - growing in stature/progressing in state - zakiyya = purified/refined
4. Nafs al-Mutmaina: Tranquil Nafs
bi‘ismi illaahi ir-Rahmaan, ir-Raheem
in the Name God, the Merciful, the Compassionate.
yaa ayyuhaa an-nafsu al-mutma’innat
oh you all the minds (are) the tranquil/quiessent
arji’iy ilaa rabbiki radiyyatam mardiyyatan
return upon your Lord satisfied/happy, contented/silent
fa adkhuliy fiy ‘ibaadiy
then enter by worship/love (of God)
wa adkhuliy jannat.
and enter a garden
(Qur'an 89:27)
Qualities: dignity, sincerity, courage, compassion, complete loyalty, spiritual ambition.
tama’n = non moving/quiet/tranquil - mutma’innat = station of clarity/quiescence/silence
raduw = peaciful/quiet/repose - radiyyat = satifaction/pleased
mardiyyat = decorated/rewarded in quiet/silence/reward
ridwan = a quiet one - one that is finished
‘ibaadiy = lovers/worshippers/emulators of God (sound plural)
as they esteem God, so to are they estimed by God.
5. Nafs ir-Raduwiyya: Satisfied Nafs
Return to your Lord, content - (Qur'an 89:28)(same as above)
Qualities: personal acceptance of affliction, endurance, resignation, constancy.
6. Nafs al-Marduwiyya: Rewarded Nafs
- or His being pleased with you! (Qur'an 89:28)
Qualities: knowledge of Allah, sincerity, faith, and hope in existential communion.
7. Nafs ad-Darajaat Maghfirat: High Station Nafs
bi‘ismi illaahi ir-Rahmaan, ir-Raheem
in the Name God, the Merciful, the Compassionate.
wa faddala allaahu al-mujaahidiyn ‘alaa al-qaa’idiyn ajraan ‘azhiman
and benefitted (them, by) God, the strivers, upon the resistance, a reward, a Tremendous
darajaatim minhu wa maghfirataw wa rahmatan.
a divine/high station from Himselfand forgiveness/protection and Mercy
wa kaana allaahu ghafuwrar rahiymmaan.
and made God a Forgiveness, Mercies
(Qur'an 4:96)
Qualities: freedom from duality, acceptance of Allah's will, joy of union, freedom from
expectation, contentment.
faddal = II - benefit/prefered/blessed
qa’ad = intractable/unmoving/resistant
darajaat = high lofty stations - divinely high states
maghfirat = ongoing forgiveness - implies a state where protection is, by virtue of
continual forgiveness and trust.
A state where you are accepted, a station where you would be relieved of difficulties
because of the import of the station you occupy. That is faddal, or preferred favor.
Except him who repents, and believes and does good works; For those, Allah will change
their evil deeds to good deeds. Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Qur'an 25:70)
8. Nafs as-Safiyya: Pure and Perfected Nafs
This is a high nafs that has the quality of Perfection and Purity. This is a state where a
mureed would not be in this world. If his body is here, it is known that his heart and being
are not. This is more commonly called "Sophia" by other writers.
This is known by the statement; laa ialaaha ill allaahu Aadam safiyallaah (as).
This is the original station where Adam was forst created and before he reached form. In
the Qur'an the story is told that Adam knew the names of all the creations in the garden.
In this sense the nafs safiyya is the pure state that exists before this world and the shaytan
degraded the creation to mislead men.
Note:
This list is not suggesting that these nafs levels are mutually exclusive. You will find
times when you have remarkable clarity of ridwan. Other times you may feel the amara
nafs commanding you to eat from hunger. The movement will gradually rise as you work
on your spirituality. As this happens to you, you will feel satisfaction of peace from the
effects of that station.
Some authorities will denote different words for these states, but the qualities of the nafs
will be know by its actions.
Jesus said (as): "A tree will be known by it's fruit. A good tree can not produce
bad fruit, and a bad tree can not produce good fruit."
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