ABSTRACT
The chapter focuses on the psychological understanding of the ‘self’ (nafs) in the writings of early mystics. In philosophical terms, nafs may be rendered ‘soul’ or ‘spirit’; but from the angle of Islamic mysticism, such rendering fails to convey the overriding negative characteristic of nafs and its antagonistic, militant operation against the heart (qalb). In terms of mystical psychology, the nafs is a vital energy associated with the ‘adversaries’, Satan and the ‘inclination’ (al-hawā). Residing in the chest, close to the heart and the lungs, the nafs operates with the downward-pulling earthly and worldly energies as the prime opponent of the heart’s aspirations. Nevertheless, when placed under special observation and submitted to strict ‘training’ (riyāḍa), and with divine help, the nafs can transform into a positive entity complying with the ‘heart’ (qalb) and joining in its spiritual journey. Thus, the climax of this chapter relates to the possibility of the transformation of the nafs from a harmful, belligerent part of the human make-up into a peaceful, integrated entity that shares with the mystics the sweetness of God’s proximity.
