jihad ul nuffs

Nuffs, ego, subconcious, the real you.

Do you really know who you are? Do you know what you are capable of and not capable of? In truth, you can try contemplating on what is and what is not, however you are not trully satisfied, until you have tried and failed or succeeded. Even the so called most intelligent among us, scientists, use the most simple method of trial & improvement.

I am going through Jihad-ul-Nufs. Jihad is struggle, and Nufs is your 'self', ur ego & desires, etc, etc. Its things like laziness, the child in you doesnt want to do it, the child in you doesnt want to know, doesnt want to do, all about WANTS. Even though it makes sense intellectually to eat healthily, everyone knows this. You ask everyone, is it good to eat healthy, answer is YES. Ask anyones Nufs, it will tell ya, I WANT NICE THINGS TO EAT WHEN I WANT TO EAT AS MUCH AS I WANT. How many times are you thinking about your health or the times you are eating, and how much you are eating, what your eating, when you do eat? Even though you know its good to eat healthy.

You all know what is good and what is bad, but how many of us smoked, took drugs, had free careless sex out of lust, cheated, lied, and it was SOO EASY to do it? Why? cause we are in a constant state of self denial, of hiding that true self in us.

In Islam, we are taught to face our own selves. You only get away with cheating, lieing, etc, etc, cause you aint dealing with it, you deny it. Most shopaholics deny they have a problem, just as do alcoholics. How many smokers do you know, told you that they are not addicted and that they can give up when ever they want. I have heard this from almost EVERY smoker I ever knew. Even though I tried to convince them they are 'lieing' to me and to themselves.

So what do we do in Islam? We take responsibility of our Nufs, just like parents are to take responsibility of their children.

Now, what happens is, people dont hold themselves accountable and check themselves. As my Shayk says, "Check yourself, Before you wreak yourself". If you aint keeping your desires, anger, emotions, ego in line, in check.. someone else is gonna be keeping them in check with their own ways,.. yup, the whispers of the Devil. An unchecked bit of Nufs, is like a child that is allowed to run riot.

This is "Jihad-ul-Nufs", and believe me, it is the most difficult struggle, esp living in this world, of commercialism, consumerism, where they are continually reaching out and appealing to your Nufs.

I am struggling very hard, .. and its taking its toll. InshAllah, I want to be the best parent I can be to my children, how can I be, if I have not gone through Fa-Na ( when your Nufs become a Fortress, your mind and Soul a Fortress, and the Devil can not knock it or penetrate it ). here is a poem.


Whispers of Satan, by Souladvisor



Stay in your bed, don’t make a fuss.
Your prayers can wait; give into your Nufs. (1)

What! Go to the mosque, the path you’ll pave?
Don’t bother, think of the gas you’ll save.

Why go the extra miles to be kind?
Don’t share that smile, they won’t mind!

Listen to your parents, why should you?
You’re big enough, don’t let them tell you what to do!

Don’t look at those orphans, what could they need?
You have your own problems, and family to feed.

Wear good hijob? Oh me, Oh my, you’ll be targeted as a Muslim and put to shame.
Just wear no makeup, and dress simple and plain.


Go for Jihad? No not you.
It’s not your problem, what can you do?

Don’t worry about Jennah, your place is reserved.
I promise you’ll get all you deserve.

Preach about Islam, and be nice?
Listen to me, and take my advice!!!

Don’t fast during Ramadan, you’ll feel dead.
Don’t go for Haj, the heat you’ll dread.

Why give charity, or feed the poor?
Don’t do it I say, They’ll just ask for more.

Don’t visit the Muslims, they’ll bite your back.
Don’t stop your work for prayer, it’s money you lack.

Then he makes you hoard your wealth.
He thinks while he talks, and laughs to himself.


You take me as your friend, and don’t give me a fight.
I’ll take you to hell to gain respite.

On the judgement day we will meet.
Allah’s plan we can not defeat.

Shatan thinks and thinks of more to say.
Say A’ oothoo billahi, and make him run away.

Dear believer, don’t let shatan put you to the test.
You can overcome him, just do your best.

(1) Arabic word: Nufs - meaning yourself.
http://www.angelfire.com/poetry/souladvisor/