The Inner-Self

The human self/soul (Nafs) also incites to Evil, not only the Devil – شر النفس

We basically have 2 different enemies:

1- Evil of the soul (شَرِّ نَفْسِي)
2- Evil of the devil (شَرِّ الشَّيْطَانِ)

Most of us seek refuge with God against the devil – but how often do we seek refuge against the evil inclinations of our own souls?

Don’t ignore the Nafs/soul.

We get attacked on both fronts – not just one.

The soul craves for forbidden things.

Discipline your soul, chain it – until it submits to God’s obedience.

The plots of the Devil are actually “weak” – but very few people have conquered their souls (and reached the stage of النفس المطمئنة ).

Our defence-walls are God consciousness & supplications.

Don’t just lock the door, while leaving the windows open.

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Evidences:

1- The Qur’an states:
إِنَّ النَّفْسَ لَأَمَّارَةٌ بِالسُّوءِ إِلَّا مَا رَحِمَ رَبِّي
“Indeed, THE SOUL (Nafs) INCITES TO EVIL, except for those upon whom my Lord has bestowed His mercy.” (Qur’an 12:53).

2- And the Qur’an also states:
وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْإِنسَانَ وَنَعْلَمُ مَا تُوَسْوِسُ بِهِ نَفْسُهُ ۖ وَنَحْنُ أَقْرَبُ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ حَبْلِ الْوَرِيدِ
“It was We Who created man, and WE KNOW WHAT DARK SUGGESTIONS HIS SOUL (Nafs) MAKES TO HIM: for We are nearer to him than (his) jugular vein.” (Qur’an 50:16).

3- And the Prophet taught us this supplication:
أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ نَفْسِي وَمِنْ شَرِّ الشَّيْطَانِ
“I seek refuge in You from THE EVIL OF MY OWN SOUL (Nafs), AND from the evil of the devil.”
[“Abu Dawud”, 5067 – صحيح ].
https://sunnah.com/abudawud/43/295

4- The Prophet also said:
الْمُجَاهِدُ مَنْ جَاهَدَ نَفْسَهُ
“The Mujahid is one who strives against HIS OWN SOUL (Nafs).”
[“Tirmidhi”, 1621 – صحيح ].
https://sunnah.com/tirmidhi/22/3

5- The Qur’an also states:
وَأَمَّا مَنْ خَافَ مَقَامَ رَبِّهِ وَنَهَى النَّفْسَ عَنِ الْهَوَى
فَإِنَّ الْجَنَّةَ هِيَ الْمَأْوَى
“And as for those who were in awe of standing before their Lord and RESTRAINED THEIR SOULS (Nafs) FROM [UNLAWFUL] DESIRES, then Paradise will be the dwelling.” (Qur’an 79:40-41).