What Nahj-ul-Balaqa Says about Control of Nafs
Otherwise, if desires and whims are the victor in this battle, the ground for man’s move toward perfection are destroyed.
There are points and instructions in Nahj-ul-Balaqa that can help us in controlling the Nafs. Speaking to IQNA, Nahj-ul-Balaqa scholar Habibollah Saberinasab pointed out some of them:
Avoiding worldly desires and passions protects mankind from getting trapped by arrogance. Resorting to the verses of the Quran and the valuable instructions in Nahj-ul-Balaqa can have a constructive role in our life and save us from Satan’s plots.
A part of Sermon 237 of the book underlines the need for controlling the Nafs: “A man should control his self by the rein and hold it with its bridle, thus by the rein he should prevent it from disobedience towards Allah, and by the bridle he should lead it towards obedience to Allah.”
It stresses that man should have Taqwa and self-control in the face of Nafs. He should confront it with the help of good traits and good deeds and by resorting to Taqwa.In that way, he can stay away from sins and live a life that guarantees salvation in this world and the next.
In the battle between Nafs and Aql, one is successful who bases his life on Quranic and religious foundations. Avoiding what the religion has banned paves the way for the victory of Aql in this battle and sets the ground for enhancement of virtues.
In order to get nearer to God, one should not neglect the importance of Tahzeeb Nafs (cleansing of one’s soul).
Imam Ali (AS) said that no one expect those who do Tahzeeb Nafs can reach true virtues.
According to verse 13 of Surah Al-Hujurat: “People, We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes that you might know one another. The noblest of you before Allah is the most righteous of you. Allah is the Knower, the Aware.”
Confronting the Nafs and worldly desires is an important responsibility and fulfilling it paves the way for getting closer to God.
Imam Ali (AS) said one who confronts his self for obeying God and countering sins is like someone who has attained martyrdom.
It is everyone’s choice to benefit from the teachings of the Holy Quran and Islam to be able to move on the right path to perfection and sublime virtues.
Resorting to the teachings of Nahj-ul-Balaqa shows us the right path and saves us from going astray. Imam Ali (AS) said Qana’at (the state of being contented or satisfied) is the best thing that helps in reforming the Nafs.
This underlines the importance of the virtue of Qana’at and teaches us that Qana’at along with Taqwa can help us in controlling the Nafs.
