nafs Archives - Page 2 of 3 - Al Kawthar Academy

Ramadan Day 16

Ramadan Day 16: We know that the shayateen (devils) are locked up in Ramadhan so why do we still persist in sin during this blessed month? This is not due to the shayateen misleading us but rather our own nafs. Committing certain sins has almost become second nature for us hence we feel no remorse… Continue reading

Ramadan Day 8

Ramadan Day 8: Fasting curbs the cravings of the lower self, for when the body is hungry the nafs is full but when the body is full the nafs is hungry.

Ramadan Day 7

Ramadan Day 7: In Ramadan we should deny our overindulged bodies their earthly gratification and instead provide heavenly food for our malnourished souls.

When to Speak

An alim said that whenever the nafs tell me to speak that I know that is when I should keep quiet. Whenever the nafs tell me to remain quiet, I know that is when I should speak. [This short excerpt is based on a spiritual gathering held by Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq on 17th April… Continue reading

Self-Reflection

Allah سبحانه وتعالى says of Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم in the Holy Qurān, فَلْيَنظُرِ الْإِنسَانُ مِمَّ خُلِقَ So let man look – from what is he created. [at Tariq 85/5] This verse reminds us that we should focus on ourselves. When man thinks about his lowly origin, it will lead to humility. Many of… Continue reading

Control the Nafs

In a hadeeth Rasūl Allāh صلى الله عليه وسلم mentions: الكيس من دان نفسه وعمل لما بعد الموت والعاجز من اتبع نفسه هواها وتمنى على الله Intelligent is he who suppresses his nafs and works for that which is to come after death, and the weak is he who allows his nafs free reign and… Continue reading

The Resident Enemy

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ “O believers, fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those who came before you so that you may attain taqwa(consciousness of Allah).” [al Baqarah 2/183] The nafs is the resident enemy in the heart of a… Continue reading

Adorn Your Character

Mawlana Rashid Ahmad Gangohi رحمة الله عليه, a great a scholar of the Indian subcontinent who died in 1905, wrote an article in which he listed the attributes and characteristics that are manifested in those who reach the rank of ihsaan. We should work towards these attributes which are: 1. To adopt humbleness and regard… Continue reading

Annihilate Your Nafs

One of the goals of tazkiya is to annihilate one’s nafs before one’s death. We should realise that in order to extinguish the nafs and thereby to be instilled with sublime qualities, much sacrifice has to be made. We will have to tolerate some pain (to the nafs) in doing so; only then can we… Continue reading