Beyond the rules and rituals, there’s a beautiful world of mysticism and inner exploration which is called Sufism – it’s like the heart of Islam, beating with love, devotion, and a deep connection to the Divine.
Sufism is a mystical form of Islam, a school of practice that focuses on the spiritual search for God and rejects materialism. It’s a mystical, spiritual dimension of Islam that focuses on the love of God, personal transformation, and seeking a deeper understanding of the Divine. Sufis, the practitioners of Sufism, are the poets, the lovers, and the seekers in the world of Islam.
At the heart of Sufism lies a profound understanding of the self, or “nafs,” as described in the Holy Quran. The self or ego is referred to as “nafs” in the Quran. This concept is central to Sufism, as it explores the seven stages of the nafs, each representing a distinct aspect of our inner world. In sufisim, a transformative spiritual journey begins with breaking down the 7 stages of nafs and ascending from the lowest to the highest self.
7 Stages of Nafs:
7 Stages of Nafs or the 7 types of ego are as followed:
- The Commanding Self (Nafs- al- ammara)
This is the lowest stage of the ego, that excites us to do the evil. It is characterized by worldly desires and material possessions. It depicts impulsive behavior, lust, anger, greed, envy, arrogance, lying, and ignorance. At this stage, the self is dominated by worldly cravings and tends to act without reflection or hesitation.
- The Accusing Self (Nafs-al-lawwama)
In Sufism, as individuals become more aware of their ego’s negative traits and actions, they enter the stage of self-criticism. The higher self keeps your conscience in check by the constant reminder of the evildoing, thus it is called an ‘accusing self.” This is a pivotal point in self-awareness, as individuals start recognizing their moral failings and seeking repentance.
- The Inspired Self (Nafs-al-mulhama)
The ego at this stage has not totally surrendered but is inspired by a higher spiritual calling and connected to the divine. It seeks to do good and is motivated by a sincere desire to please God and serve humanity thus called an “inspired self.” The good traits start to develop like gratitude, empathy, and modesty.
- The Peaceful Self (Nafs-al-mutma’inna)
At this stage, the ego is at peace and acts in harmony with the guidance of the higher self. It has achieved a level of self-control and detachment from worldly desires hence there is little or no conflict remaining. It is content with the divine command and trusts in God’s plan.
- The Pleased Self (Nafs-al-radiyya)
This is a stage of spiritual development where the ego is content with God’s decree in all circumstances. At this level, one finds deep inner peace and satisfaction, regardless of life’s ups and downs. The ego lives peacefully in the moment, not in the past or the future. This stage is marked by a genuine acceptance of divine will and an absence of resentment or complaint. It is a profound state of contentment and submission to God’s plan, reflecting a deep sense of trust and surrender.
- The Pleasing Self (Nafs-al-mardiyya)
This is a highly advanced stage of the ego’s transformation in Sufism. In this stage, the individual experiences profound contentment with God’s will and fully surrenders to the divine plan. The ego is entirely free from self-centered desires. It is marked by an unwavering sense of union with the Divine and a deep commitment to living in accordance with divine principles.
- The Pure Self (Nafs-al-safiyya)
The highest stage of the Nafs is one of complete purification. At this level, the ego is entirely free from egocentric desires, attachments, and worldly influences and is solely devoted to God. The main trait of this stage is the total surrender to God’s will.
In conclusion, the journey through the seven stages of Nafs in Sufism represents a transformative process of self-awareness, self-purification, and spiritual enlightenment. It is important to note that this progression is not linear and can vary from person to person. The goal is to reach a state of complete purification and oneness with the Divine, transcending the ego’s limitations and worldly attachments. The Sufi path teaches individuals to be mindful of their egos, continually strive for self-improvement, and seek a profound connection with the Divine as they progress along their spiritual journey.
Blog By : DEEBHA SITHTA
