There are a few different ways you can define and compare the different types and levels of the Nafs.
I prefer to keep things super simple and relatable.
Here is how I break down the three levels of the nafs as inspired and defined by Quranic terminology.
Level 1: Basic(ally) Evil
The Qur’an calls the lowest level of the nafs the “Commanding Self”. The phrase it uses is “Nafs Amara bi Sou” – the ego that commands to evil.
This is the default, base setting of the human ego. If it’s not trained and there’s zero awareness around it, it starts to run rampant. It has a very low level of awareness of itself and others and leaves the person that it inhabits in such a low state of spiritual unconsciousness that they unwittingly do harm to themselves and others.
The most dangerous thing about this low level of awareness is that the person doesn’t even really realize how much harm they’re doing. They just want their own desires.
They fully identify with their own thinking and big negative feelings.
They’re in so much suffering mentally, emotionally, and psychologically that it looks to them that the only way out is to get what they want.
The Nafs convinces them that if they finally get what they want, then they’ll have peace and happiness and they can move on with their lives. Of course, this never ends up happening in reality – they just keep wanting more and more – no matter who gets harmed in the process.
Level 2: Intermediate – The Judgy Self
The Quran calls this one “nafs al-lawama”. That means the Blaming Self.
I call it, “The Judgy Self”.
It’s a higher level than the completely Basic Unconscious Self because this version of the self has woken up a little bit – at least enough to realize that it’s been doing some crazy bad things.
There’s just enough awareness or glimpses of awakening that this person can tell the difference between acting from spirit and consciousness versus acting from a place of complete self-absorption.
Every time this ego harms themselves or others due to their unconsciousness, they get super judgy and blame themselves. It doesn’t realize that, as soon as it starts blaming and scolding itself for falling into ego patterns, it has once again fallen into… yet another ego pattern.
The very trap of self-judgment and blame implies a slightly higher level of awakening, but nowhere near enough to be free and reach any level of inner peace.
This person may try to change their behavior, build good habits, start trying to be more religious on the outside, but internally, it’s still a hot mess.
To be totally free, there needs to be more glimpses into the awakened state of presence that is completely free from thought.
And perhaps most importantly, with more awareness, there can be forgiveness, which is the ultimate cure for self-sabotage, blame, and guilt.
That brings us to…
Level 3: Advanced – The Totally Peaceful Self
As the Quran calls it, “Nafs al Mutmaina” – The Peaceful Self
This person moves beyond judging themselves and others and turning everything into black and white, right and wrong. They stop trying to prove themselves right and prove everyone else wrong.
They realize it’s better to be loving than to be right.
They’re at one with what is. They no longer resist Allah’s will.
Most importantly, they’re able to spend most of the time in a state of Zikr Allah – psychologically and spiritually.
In other words, they spend much of their time in a quiet, mindful state of presence, fully aware that Allah is with them, watching them, and they are able to enjoy and appreciate the presence of Allah most of the time.
Of course, a person may fluctuate between the different levels of the nafs depending on their momentary level of awareness and their level of “iman” or faith in any given moment.
There is a difference in the Islamic tradition between a “taste” of a spiritual state versus a “station”.
For many of us, the taste comes first.
If you want to give yourself a taste of the state of The Peaceful Self, so you can know for yourself what it’s like to have your soul be in a relaxed, joyful state of mind for a while, then you’re going to absolutely love The Nafs Mastery Program.
The very first session gives you seven different ways you can enter this beautiful state of mind, if only for a few minutes.
And over the coming weeks and months, you might find yourself living into this Peaceful Self state more and more.
You can access it all instantly, by joining here:ge of inspiration to dive in and join the program, then I recommend you listen to it:
