By Azka Fathima Palsarak
Vaniyambadi, Tamil Nadu
Temptation begins,
And the nafs whispers within;
Boundaries begin to fade,
As small sins become unnoticed habits.
But now, it is time to say:
Resist your nafs,
Question yourself,
Return to Allah,
Set your limits again.
Have sabr when it becomes difficult,
Seek Allah when you are weak;
Leave it for the sake of Allah,
For in Him, let your heart seek.
– Azka
Notification pings. As soon as you hear one, your brain urges you to check it, react to it, and respond to it. You grab your mobile, only to become disappointed when you discover that it was a promotional notification from a service – not the one you expected, and not the one you needed.
Everyone experiences temptations, but acting upon them can draw us into the trap of instant gratification. Though not every temptation is followed by instant gratification, the later consequences can be overwhelming. This can also be understood as an inner struggle – a battle within ourselves, where no blood is shed and no weapons are used. It is the ability to differentiate between what we truly need and what our nafs desires.
The word jihad (جِهَاد) comes from the Arabic root j-h-d, which conveys the meaning of striving, exertion, or struggle. In this article, Jihad al-Nafs refers to the believer’s ongoing effort to discipline the self, resist sinful desires, and remain obedient to Allah.
Jihad Al-Nafs: Seeking Guidance
وَٱلَّذِينَ جَـٰهَدُوا۟ فِينَا لَنَهْدِيَنَّهُمْ سُبُلَنَا ۚ وَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَمَعَ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ
And those who strive for Us – We will surely guide them to Our ways. And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good. (The Qur’an, 29:69)
We cannot always control what we feel, but we can strive to control how we respond. Guidance can help you lead a purposeful life.
Allah has given mankind certain commands, boundaries, and limitations, and striving to follow them can be considered part of our struggle for His sake. If we strive in the cause of Allah, He will guide us, as the above verse states: “And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good.”
The Qur’an: A Means of Great Striving
فَلَا تُطِعِ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ وَجَـٰهِدْهُم بِهِۦ جِهَادًۭا كَبِيرًۭا
So do not obey the disbelievers, and strive against them with the Qur’an a great striving. (The Qur’an, 25:52)
The main question arises here, Allah does not leave us without guidance or support; He also gives us a means of great striving. The Qur’an was revealed as guidance to mankind. Allah commands the prophet ﷺ not to obey the disbelievers, but to strive against them with the Qur’an. Although this verse addresses the Prophet ﷺ in his engagement with the disbelievers, it also reminds us of the central role of the Qur’an in guiding our choices and strengthening our resolve.
We can also strive against our temptations with the help of the Qur’an. When we are confused about a decision or struggle to differentiate between right and wrong, we can turn to the Qur’an as our ultimate guide. Read it, understand it and act upon it.
The Path to True Success
ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَهَاجَرُوا۟ وَجَـٰهَدُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ بِأَمْوَٰلِهِمْ وَأَنفُسِهِمْ أَعْظَمُ دَرَجَةً عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْفَآئِزُونَ
The ones who have believed, emigrated and striven in the cause of Allah with their wealth and their lives are greater in rank in the sight of Allah. And it is those who are the attainers [of success]. (The Qur’an, 9:20)
True success is not only measured by what we achieve in this world; it is also determined by what we prepare for the Hereafter. Those who believe, sacrifice and strive in the cause of Allah are given a higher rank in His sight. This encourages us to strive for what is right and reminds us of the efforts and contribution it requires. In the context of Jihad al-Nafs, this verse can also remind us that controlling our desires, choosing obedience over temptation, and remaining committed to Allah also require continuous effort. True success comes when we are willing to struggle against what pulls us away from the path Allah has commanded us to follow.
وَمَن جَـٰهَدَ فَإِنَّمَا يُجَـٰهِدُ لِنَفْسِهِۦٓ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَغَنِىٌّ عَنِ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
And whoever strives only strives for [the benefit of] himself. Indeed, Allah is free from need of the worlds. (The Qur’an, 29:6)
This verse teaches us that when we strive in Allah’s cause, we are ultimately striving for our own good, as Allah does not need any of His creation or their efforts.
When a servant of Allah strives in Allah’s cause, this can be reflected in the way they live, the way they spend, speak and respond to others. It guides an individual towards a purposeful life. When we strive against forbidden things, we are ultimately making an effort for our own well-being, seeking a peaceful mind and a sound heart. Allah has prohibited certain things to guide and protect mankind from their harmful consequences.
Jihad al-Nafs in Today’s World
Addiction and emotions are the areas of struggle, challenges, or things that can test self-control. Addiction can develop through actions that provide instant but temporary rewards. The urge for instant relief can make a person repeatedly turn to such actions. That temporary relief can eventually lead to long-term harmful consequences. It can affect our choices and lifestyle, leading to harmful consequences over time.
Addiction can strongly influence our choices; this is where our relationship with Allah becomes important. When we remember that Allah has given us guidance, we can resist choices that harm us, even when the desire is strong. In simple words, it means choosing Allah and His commands over our strong and harmful desires.
Turning away from alcohol and gambling and maintaining appropriate boundaries in relationships that are not permissible can be difficult. However, repeatedly giving in to such temptations can lead to overwhelming consequences. We must learn to strive against them and maintain our mental and emotional well-being. Small temptations become a powerful habit that can devastate many lives and relationships.
Emotions can become stronger than our ability to think calmly. When something does not go according to our expectations, or when difficult experiences from the past affect us, we may react instantly without thinking. The urge to react immediately to circumstances can sometimes lead us down the wrong path.
Instead of allowing our emotions to control our actions, we should learn to manage our reactions for the sake of Allah. Controlling anger and being mindful of our speech can help us preserve peace within ourselves and with others. The struggle to pause for a moment and choose a better option that obeys the limits of Allah is important. In simple words, it is the struggle to control our reactions and choose obedience to Allah over impulse.
These are the struggles that are often invisible because the real battle takes place within us, between what we desire and what we know is right.
وَأَمَّا مَنْ خَافَ مَقَامَ رَبِّهِۦ وَنَهَى ٱلنَّفْسَ عَنِ ٱلْهَوَىٰ
But as for he who feared the position of his Lord and prevented the soul from [unlawful] inclination. (The Qur’an, 79:40)
فَإِنَّ ٱلْجَنَّةَ هِىَ ٱلْمَأْوَىٰ
Then indeed, Paradise will be [his] refuge. (The Qur’an, 79:41)
Dua for Protection from the Evils of the Nafs
