The Battle Within Us – Soul/Rooh vs Self/Nafs

All Humans have positive and negative forces within them. The positive force is the Soul (the Rooh) and the negative force is the self (the Nafs).

The negative force within us, the Nafs/Self is like a bull. It needs all those things that every other animal needs, which is better food, better shelter, more comfort, more importance, better partner(s), better off springs. The more you feed this Nafs, the bigger/stronger it becomes. Bigger ==> stronger ==> hungrier ==> more/better food ==> bigger ==> stronger ==> hungrier. And this is a vicious circle, that continues until the death. This Nafs does not care how we feed it, legitimate sources or illegitimate sources, by hook or by crook, whatever it takes. This is one of the strongest drivers which forces humans to go on a path of sin, oppression and corruption.

The opposite of this “Nafs” in our body is the Rooh/Soul. This is the principle positive force within us which comes directly from Allah. This is what changes an evolved animal called “Homo Sapien” into the “Ashraful makhlooqat” – The best of the Created. This soul of ours feeds on remembrance of Allah, goodness towards fellow human beings and the words of Allah such as the Quran, Taurat (Old Testament) and Injeel (The New Testament). The most powerful feed for this soul of ours is the word of Allah as both our souls and the word of Allah have similar origins.

Whether we are a good human being or a bad one, will depend on this internal struggle between our Nafs/Self and our Rooh/Soul. If our Nafs/Self becomes stronger than the Rooh/Soul, then the “Ashraful Makhlooqat” Insan gives way to the “Homo Sapien” which is nothing more than an evolved animal. Animal instincts take over and then this evolved animal beats even the fiercest of animals in corruption, leading to unimaginable destruction and blood bath. However, if the Rooh/Soul becomes stronger than the Nafs/Self, then this same Human being will be the opposite – The best of the created. Even better than the angels.

Lets feed our Soul/Rooh with remembrance of Allah, goodness towards fellow human beings and #AlQuran. Lets limit the feed for our Nafs/Self and keep it in check from crossing the limits of legitimacy in satisfying its needs. Lets try and become better human beings.

May Allah help us all.