Labib Mahfuj Chisty
To understand a person, one must know not only his body, but also his inner spiritual structure. In Islam and Sufism, the spiritual structure of a person is divided into three main pillars—
- Heart (Qalb)
- Spirit (Ruh)
- Nafs (Nafs)
These three pillars are the foundation of a person’s spiritual journey. When these are interpreted in the light of the Quran, Hadith and Sufi practices, it is understood that the door to heaven and hell lies within a person.
Heart (Qalb)
The heart is the spiritual center of a person. It is not just a piece of flesh, but the seat of a person’s beliefs, feelings, love and faith.
Allah says:
“They have hearts, but they do not understand with them.” (Surah A’raf 7:179)
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“In the body there is a lump of flesh; if it is good, the body is good, and if it is bad, the body is bad. Know that it is the heart.” (Bukhari, Muslim)
The Sufis believe that the heart is the mirror in which the light of Allah is reflected. If it is darkened by heedlessness and sin, the truth cannot be seen.
The Spirit (Ruh)
The spirit is the true essence of man, which is breathed into him by Allah.
Allah says:
“And I breathed into him of My spirit.” (Surah Hijr 15:29)
Characteristics of the spirit – immortal, connected to Allah, when purified, it gains closeness to Allah.
The spirit is the means of establishing a direct relationship with Allah. Rumi (RA) said: “You are not the body, you are the spirit that came down from the sky.”
Nafs (Nafs)
The Nafs is the source of desires, passions and pride within a person. Sufis consider it the main obstacle to spiritual progress.
In the light of the Quran and Sufi practice, there are three main levels of the Nafs:
- Nafsul Ammara (the commanding Nafs)
Which always pushes towards evil.
(Surah Yusuf 12:53) - Nafsul Lawamah (the self-condemning Nafs)
When it makes a mistake, it repents and then calls towards good deeds.
(Surah Qiyamah 75:2) - Nafsul Mutmainnah (the calm Nafs)
It becomes calm in the remembrance of Allah.
(Surah Fajr 89:27-30)
The Nafs is the enemy that lives within a person. Jihad against it is the greatest Jihad. Only when the self is brought under control can the soul and heart be illuminated by the light of Allah.
According to the Sufis, the spiritual journey of human life is actually to control the self, purify the heart, and turn the soul towards Allah. In their words: “The heart is the mosque, the soul is the imam, and the self is the evildoer who has to be brought under control again and again.”
In today’s era, people are suffering from mental stress, anxiety, and confusion. The self is drowning them in excess. The heart is becoming numb due to heedlessness. The soul has forgotten its true purpose.
Cleanse the heart through remembrance and meditation. Develop self-discipline to bring the self under control. Immerse yourself in the love of Allah to awaken the soul.
The spiritual structure of a person stands on three pillars—the heart, the soul, and the self. The right balance of these makes him a true human being. If the self is not under control, then a person becomes like an animal. If the heart is not pure, the light of God does not enter it. If the soul is not awakened, the true identity of man is suppressed. The Sufis have said: “He who knows his soul, knows his Lord.”
Therefore, to know and purify these three pillars of the soul is the true purpose of human life.