Spiritually manage your Nafs
As per Islam when living beings are born into the world, the ruh (the soul) is pure, full of God’s light and in a sound state within the heart.
When the human being develops throughout his life and becomes influenced by worldly surroundings, the soul becomes disturbed. Therefore, it struggles to maintain a spiritual relation with the heart and help it achieve a balance between spirituality and materialism. Without any form of spiritual discipline in this regard, the heart becomes accustomed to worldly distractions and adopts unhealthy attitudes towards the human soul. The human soul then becomes trapped by the impurities of the heart and struggles to shine through this internal conflict.
Once the heart is maintained through a process of self-discipline and divine and loving environment, then the low vibrations of the heart disappears and is enlightened by the light of the soul. The heart is then protected from negative influences and is recalibrated towards the presence and reality of God. Both the enlightened human soul and heart become entangled with spiritual quietude whilst achieving closeness to God. This changing process of the human soul and heart happens every day in our lives. With the right guidance and support, the calm state of the heart and soul can be achieved.
In Islam, conforming to rules and rituals may be simple enough for many, but it is only a form of external appreciation of God. The real work of spiritual progress starts from nurturing the soul and heart and is essential for the one aiming to become a human being with a spiritual heart in a troubled world.
Speaking of the heart, a very essential part of spiritual revival is the process of combating the most stubborn part known as the ‘Nafs’ in Arabic.
The Quran says: “As for one that fears standing before their Lord, and forbids the nafs of its desires, for them, Heaven shall be his place of abode” (al-Nazi‘at 79: 40).
Once the nafs is spiritually managed, the human soul beams its light towards the heart and infuses it with motivation towards virtuous deeds with ease. Hence, a greater way to maximise the potential benefits of Islam is to continuously condition the nafs to recalibrate the heart towards God
