Nafs

Nafs is an Arabic word occurring in the Qur'an meaning self , psyche , ego or soul . In its unrefined state, "the ego ( nafs ) is the lowest dimension of man's inward existence, his animal and satanic nature." Nafs is an important concept in the Islamic tradition, especially within Sufism and the discipline of gnosis ( Irfan ) in Shia Islam . The Sufi Path of Love .

Nafs (نَفْس) is an Arabic word ( cognate of the Hebrew word nefesh נפש ) occurring in the Qur'an and means self , psyche ego or soul . In the Quran, the word is used in both the individualistic (e.g. verse 2:48) and collective sense (verse 4:1), indicating that although humanity is united in possessing the qualities of a "soul/nafs/consciousness" they are individually responsible for exercising the agencies of their "free will" that it provides them. Much of the popular literature on nafs , however, is focused on the Sufi conceptions of the term, which were heavily influenced by Neoplatonism. According to the Sufi philosophies, which borrow heavily from Plato (see Plato's tripartite theory of soul ) as well as later influences, the nafs in its unrefined state, is "the ego", which they consider to be the lowest dimension of a person's inward existence, his animal and satanic nature. Nafs is an important concept in the Islamic tradition, especially within Sufism and the discipline of gnosis ( irfan ) in Shia Islam . The Sufi Path of Love .

Quranic Arabic word for the "self" This article is about the Quranic Arabic word. Nafs ( نَفْس ) is an Arabic word occurring in the Quran , literally meaning " self ", and has been translated as " psyche ", " ego " or " soul ". The term is cognate with the Hebrew word nephesh , נֶפֶשׁ. In the Quran, the word nafs is used in both the individualistic (verse 2:48) and collective sense (verse 4:1), indicating that although humanity is united in possessing the positive qualities of a nafs , they are individually responsible for exercising the agencies of the "free will" that it provides them. Much of the popular literature on nafs , however, is focused on the Sufi conceptions of the term. According to the Sufi philosophies , the nafs in its unrefined state is "the ego", which they consider to be the lowest dimension of a person's inward existence — his animal and Satanic nature. Nafs is an important concept in the Islamic tradition, especially within Sufism and the discipline of gnosis ( irfan ) in Shia Islam . The Journal of Natural and Social Philosophy . 14 (2): 315– 321. The Sufi Path of Love .

Quranic Arabic word for the "self" This article is about the Quranic Arabic word. A visual rendition of the Islamic model of the soul showing the position of " nafs " relative to other concepts, based on a consensus of 18 surveyed academic and religious experts Nafs ( نَفْس ) is an Arabic word occurring in the Quran , literally meaning " self ", and has been translated as " psyche ", " ego " or " soul ". The term is cognate with the Hebrew word nephesh , נֶפֶשׁ. In the Quran, the word nafs is used in both the individualistic (verse 2:48) and collective sense (verse 4:1), indicating that although humanity is united in possessing the positive qualities of a nafs , they are individually responsible for exercising the agencies of the "free will" that it provides them. Much of the popular literature on nafs , however, is focused on the Sufi conceptions of the term located within the sadr (the chest). According to the Sufi philosophies , the nafs in its unrefined state is "the ego", which they consider to be the lowest dimension of a person's inward existence—his animal and satanic nature. Nafs is an important concept in the Islamic tradition, especially within Sufism and the discipline of gnosis ( irfan ) in Shia Islam . The Journal of Natural and Social Philosophy . 14 (2): 315– 321.