Understanding the Components of the Self in Islam: A Path to more Fulfillment
Length: 2977 words
Read Time: 12-15 minutes
In Islam, understanding the components of the self is essential for spiritual growth and fulfillment. The self is composed of multiple elements that are interconnected yet distinct. These elements— the physical body, the soul (Rūḥ), the Nafs (consciousness and subconsciousness), and the heart (Qalb)— each play a vital role in our spiritual journey. By understanding these components, we can work towards a more fulfilled life in an easier way.
The Components of the Self in Islam
Islam provides a profound and detailed understanding of what constitutes the human self. These components, as outlined in the Qur'an and Hadith, include the physical body, the soul, the Nafs, and the heart. Each component has its own significance and function.
The Physical Body
The physical body is described in three different contexts in the Qur’an:
Al-Jasad (Non-Human Body): Al-Jasad refers to the non-human body, particularly before it is “received” by the mother. This includes the egg cell and the embryo up to 120 days. At this stage, the body is living but not yet human.
Al-Jism (Human Body Without Consciousness): Al-Jism refers to the human body after the 120th day of pregnancy. It is at this stage that the soul (Rūḥ) and the Nafs (consciousness and subconsciousness) are breathed into the body, marking the point at which it becomes truly human. This body, however, does not yet have responsibility, feelings, or full consciousness. As narrated by ‘Abdallah ibn Mas’ud, our Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) described the stages of human development in the womb, highlighting the moment when the soul is breathed into the body with the following:
“Each one of you is constituted in the womb of the mother for forty days, and then he becomes a clot of thick blood for a similar period, and then a piece of flesh for a similar period. Then Allah sends an angel who is ordered to write four things. He is ordered to write down his deeds, his livelihood, the date of his death, and whether he will be blessed or wretched. Then the soul is breathed into him…” (Sahih al-Bukhari: 3036).
Al-Badan (Body in the World): Al-Badan refers to the body as it exists in the world. The Qur’an describes people as Al-Badan who live in the world but wander without purpose, focusing only on desires, temptations, and superficial pleasures.
The Soul (Rūḥ)
The soul is a deeply complex and mysterious aspect of the self. Allah mentions in the Qur'an that little has been revealed about the soul because it is beyond human comprehension.
"They ask you ˹O Prophet˺ about the spirit. Say, “Its nature is known only to my Lord, and you ˹O humanity˺ have been given but little knowledge.” (Al-Isra’ - 17:85)
Nature and Characteristics of the Soul: The soul is described as a spiritual essence or entity created by Allah by His divine command. It is implanted in humans and jinn, giving "life" to the body and serving as the essence of a person's true identity. Unlike physical life, the soul's fulfillment, described as "life" before, comes from living according to Islamic principles. The sooner one aligns their life with their soul's needs, the more fulfilled they are in this world and the hereafter.
The soul has unique characteristics:
- It is a creation or command of Allah and can only be controlled by Him.
- It is perfectly combined with our conscience and consciousness.
- The soul is eternal, unchangeable, and pure, even in bad people and cannot be tarnished
- It knows the truth and the afterlife and is aware of the body's death.
- Every single soul of mankind is already created, and every soul is given exactly one body.
The Five Connections of the Soul with the Body:
- Before Birth: The soul already exists, ready for the body it will "inhabit".
- At the 120th Day of Pregnancy: The soul is breathed into the body.
- During Sleep: The soul partially leaves the body but remains connected.
- At Death: The soul leaves the body completely until the Day of Resurrection.
- On the Day of Resurrection: The body is restored to life, and the Soul and Nafs are reunited with it.
The Soul After Death: Upon death, the soul ascends to another heaven. The soul also meets other deceased souls and may inquire about the living.
The Special Honor of the Soul: The soul holds a special honor in Islam. Because Adam was honored with the soul, the angels prostrated before him, not just because he was human. This means it is actually a mercy of Allah to us that we have a soul, as the soul is honorable.
“˹Remember, O Prophet˺ when your Lord said to the angels, “I am going to create a human being from clay. So when I have fashioned him and had a spirit of My Own ˹creation˺ breathed into him, fall down in prostration to him.” So the angels prostrated all together—but not Iblîs, who acted arrogantly, becoming unfaithful." (As-Sad 38:71-74)
The Nafs (Consciousness & Subconsciousness)
Nature of the Nafs: The Nafs is a balanced entity with desires that can lead to both good and bad. It is our free will that determines whether these tendencies incline towards righteousness or sin. The Nafs can control us, or we can control it, influencing our connection with the soul and Allah.
Origin and Role: The Nafs, like the soul, was taken from the back of Adam before the creation of humanity. This is linked to the original confession, where every soul testified to the Lordship of Allah. This event signifies the origin of the Fitrah, the natural disposition towards believing in a higher power.
"And ˹remember˺ when your Lord brought forth from the loins of the children of Adam their descendants and had them testify regarding themselves. ˹Allah asked,˺ “Am I not your Lord?” They replied, “Yes, You are! We testify.” ˹He cautioned,˺ “Now you have no right to say on Judgment Day, ‘We were not aware of this." (Al-Araf 7:172)
The Struggle with the Nafs: Life is a continuous struggle between pursuing distractions and seeking knowledge. The Nafs can descend into infinite evil or rise to infinite good, depending on how it is nurtured.
Resurrection and Accountability: On the Day of Resurrection, the Nafs, along with the body and soul, will be held accountable. The (bad) Nafs may try to lie, but the body will speak the truth, revealing the deeds committed in life.
"˹Consider˺ the Day ˹when˺ the enemies of Allah will be gathered for the Fire, all driven in ranks." When they reach it, their ears, eyes, and skin will testify against what they used to do. They will ask their skin ˹furiously˺, “Why have you testified against us?” It will say, “We have been made to speak by Allah, Who causes all things to speak. He ˹is the One Who˺ created you the first time, and to Him you were bound to return. (Al-Fussilat 41:19-21)
The Heart (Qalb)
The heart in Islamic teachings is not just the physical organ but also the center of moral and spiritual understanding.
Dual Nature of the Heart: The heart has both a physical aspect and an inner moral compass. It is where sincere prayer, recitation, dhikr (remembrance of Allah), and good deeds that are purely for Allah's sake originate. These actions strengthen the connection to Allah and enhance spirituality.
Feeling the Iman (Faith): True Iman starts with a sincere intention and decision. The heart's purity and connection to Allah determine the depth of one’s faith.
The Modern Causes of Unhappiness
In today's world, many people struggle with unhappiness due to various modern challenges. These issues are deeply connected to the neglect or misuse of the self’s components.
Overconsumption of Disadvantageous Knowledge
Distractions and Superficiality: The modern world bombards us with information, much of which is superficial or distracting. The brain absorbs everything, whether beneficial or not, leading to a cluttered mind that struggles with focus and clarity.
Dopamine Imbalance and Addiction: The constant pursuit of quick pleasures, such as those provided by social media and unhealthy foods, disrupts the brain's dopamine balance. This can lead to symptoms like listlessness, dwindling concentration, and a lack of motivation.
Happiness Tied to Materialism: Happiness is often mistakenly measured by material possessions and fleeting pleasures. This leads people to chase after short-term gains while avoiding pain and discomfort, ultimately resulting in a numb and complacent life.
The Disruption of Self-Love and Emotional Intelligence
Lack of Self-Reflection: Many people today avoid critical self-reflection, leading to a distorted concept of self-love. Instead of nurturing the soul and Nafs, individuals follow their feelings without questioning them, and any form of criticism is dismissed as toxic.
Individualism Over Community: The focus on individualism has led to the neglect of communal responsibilities and family cohesion. People see obligations and rules as intrusions into their lives, leading to a fragmented society.
Exploitation and Degradation: In pursuit of personal gain, some individuals exploit others, mistreat them, or degrade them to boost their own self-esteem. This behavior, driven by resentment and false superiority, only deepens unhappiness.
All of this is the result of an untamed Nafs. A Nafs that is not controlled, but controls the human being - a Nafs that is led unrestrained into evil and wickedness.
Paths to a More Fulfilled Life
Islam offers a comprehensive approach to achieving a more fulfilled life by taming and purifying the Nafs and aligning the self with spiritual and moral principles. Yet, it is important to mention that complete contentment is unreachable in this Dunya.
Detachment from Worldly Desires and Frequent Remembrance of Death
Prophetic Wisdom: Our Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) compared life to a temporary rest under the shade of a tree, emphasizing the transient nature of this world:
Abdullah narrated :"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was sleeping upon a mat, then he stood, and the mat had left marks on his side. We said: 'O Messenger of Allah! We could get a bed for you.' He said: 'What do I have to do with the world! I am not in the world but as a rider seeking shade under a tree, then he catches his breath and leaves it." (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2377)
He also taught that the wisest believers are those who frequently think about death and prepare for the hereafter:
It was narrated that Ibn ‘Umar said: "I was with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and a man from among the Ansar came to him and greeted the Prophet (ﷺ) with Salam. Then he said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, which of the believers is best?’ He said: ‘He who has the best manners among them.’ He said: ‘Which of them is wisest?’ He said: ‘The one who remembers death the most and is best in preparing for it. Those are the wisest." (Sunan Ibn Majah 4259).
Focusing on the Hereafter: Allah reminds us in the Qur'an that this worldly life is merely a pastime, while the abode of the hereafter is the true life. Detaching from worldly desires and remembering death can help one focus on what truly matters.
"And this worldly life is not but diversion and amusement. And indeed, the home of the Hereafter - that is the [eternal] life, if only they knew." (Surah Al-’Ankabut 29:64)
Minimizing Distractions and Actively Acquiring Knowledge
The Obligation of Knowledge: The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) stressed that acquiring knowledge is obligatory for every Muslim, both male and female. Also, the Qur'an encourages reading and learning as a way to connect with Allah’s creation and wisdom.
It was narrated from Anas bin Malik that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Seeking knowledge is a duty upon every Muslim, [...]". (Sunan Ibn Majah 224)
Additionally, it states in the Quran:
"Read, ˹O Prophet,˺ in the Name of your Lord Who created—created humans from a clinging clot. Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous, Who taught by the pen—taught humanity what they knew not." (Al-Alaq 96:1-5)
Combating Ignorance: In a world full of distractions, actively seeking beneficial knowledge is crucial for spiritual and personal growth.
Building Discipline and Routines
Time Management: Our Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) advised taking advantage of five blessings before they are lost: youth, health, wealth, free time, and life itself:
Ibn Abbas reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Take advantage of five before five: your youth before your old age, your health before your illness, your riches before your poverty, your free time before your work, and your life before your death.” (Shu’ab al-Imān lil-Bayhaqī 10250).
The Importance of Routines: Establishing a disciplined routine, such as regular prayers, helps to cultivate self-control and dedication. This also extends to habits like healthy eating, exercise, and maintaining a balance between work and personal time...
Emotional Growth and Self-Reflection (Tafakkur)
Worship Through Reflection: Regular self-reflection and self-improvement is a form of worship in Islam. It allows believers to examine their actions, intentions, and relationship with Allah. This introspection leads to personal growth and positive development.
Identifying Weaknesses: Self-reflection also helps in recognizing personal weaknesses and areas for improvement. It encourages humility and a constant striving for betterment.
Striving for Good Deeds with Sincere Intentions (Niyyah)
The Power of Intention: Our Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) taught that actions are judged by their intentions, and everyone will be rewarded according to what they intended. This highlights the importance of sincerity in every action.
Narrated Ibn `Abbas: The Prophet (ﷺ) narrating about his Lord and said, "Allah ordered (the appointed angels over you) that the good and the bad deeds be written, and He then showed (the way) how (to write). If somebody intends to do a good deed and he does not do it, then Allah will write for him a full good deed (in his account with Him); and if he intends to do a good deed and actually did it, then Allah will write for him (in his account) with Him (its reward equal) from ten to seven hundred times to many more times: and if somebody intended to do a bad deed and he does not do it, then Allah will write a full good deed (in his account) with Him, and if he intended to do it (a bad deed) and actually did it, then Allah will write one bad deed (in his account)." (Sahih al-Bukhari 6491)
Rewarding Good Intentions: Even if a good deed cannot be completed due to circumstances beyond one's control, a person is still rewarded for their sincere intention. This encourages maintaining pure motives and striving for righteousness.
Conclusion
Understanding and nurturing the different components of the self— the body, soul, Nafs, and heart— is crucial for achieving a more fulfilled and spiritually aligned life in Islam. By detaching from worldly distractions, actively seeking knowledge, building disciplined routines, and cultivating sincere intentions, believers can align their lives to Islamic principles and values and with this experience true contentment in this Dunya.
References and Further Reading
- Qur'an
- Hadith Collections
- Islamic Scholars and Texts
- Psychological texts
One more Note for You
This text has been prepared to the best of my knowledge and conscience and also agreed with a person of knowledge - but as it is the nature of mankind errors are unavoidable. All good comes from Allah and all mistakes from me. And Allah knows best. If you recognize any mistake do not hesitate to inform me at info@yourdigitalukhti.com.
Thank you very much for reading my blog post - May Allah bless you immensely!
Wassalamu Alaykum.
Your sister, Aleyna