On the Nafs

From the Qadiri Rifai Sufi Order teachings on Levels of the Nafs

1. Nafs-i-Ammara, the Commanding Nafs
Behold!  The commanding nafs encourages evil, except when my Lord bestows mercy. (Qur'an 12:53)
Traits: narcissistic, mechanical, conditioned, non-reflective, impulsive.
Habits: pride, enmity, cruelty, lust, stinginess.

2. Nafs-i-Lawwama: Blaming Nafs
But I swear by the accusing nafs that this Scripture is true. (Qur'an 75:2)
Traits: conscience, capacity for self-observation.
Habits:  backbiting, trickery, conceitedness, hypocrisy, self-consciousness, guilt, fearfulness, wishful thinking, intense desire to please others.

3.  Nafs-i-Mulhama: Inspired Nafs
And a nafs and Him who gave order to it and inspired it with a sesnse of what is wrong for it and what is right for it.
Traits: generosity, gratitude, modesty, empathy, ardent desire.
Habits: liberality lacking discrimination, mystical inflation, tendency toward spiritual greed.

4.  Nafs-i-Mutmaina: Tranquil Nafs
To the righteous soul will be said, "O you nafs in complete peace and satisfaction!" (Qur'an 89:27)
Traits: dignity, sincerity, courage, compassion, complete loyalty.
Habits: Attachment to spiritual ambition.

5.  Nafs-i-Radziyya: Satisfied Nafs
Return to your Lord, content (Qur'an 89:28)
Traits: knowledge of Allah, sincerity, unbounded faith and hope in existential communion.
Habits: mystical intoxication, lack of sobriety and balance.

7. Nafs-Safiyya: Purified Nafs
This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favor to you, and chosen for you as your religion Islam. (Qur'an 5:3)
Traits:  freedom from duality, acceptance of Allah's will, joy of union, freedom from expectation, contentment.
Habits: None remaining

Sheikh Kabir Helminski of the Mevlevi Order discusses zikr

The Threshold Society: Mevlevi Order of America
One Through Love

And remember your Protector and Sustainer,
O beloved Muhammad,humbly and with awe.
Use then a gentle voice, the words carried softly on your breath,
to praise Me in the morning and evening.
And do not be negligent in your remembrance.

--Quran al-A'raf 7:205--

The Israeli Dervish

 I think the Way of the Heart is the international language.

Miki Cohen, Israeli Dervish

Huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!


Those who believe,
and whose hearts find satisfaction
in remembering the Beloved,
know without doubt
hearts find satisfaction
in remembrance of the Beloved.


--Quran Surah ar-Rad 13:28--

It Is Your Turn Now

It is your turn now,

you waited, you were patient.

The time has come

for us to polish you.

We will transform your inner  pearl

into a house of fire.

You're a god mine.

Did you know that,

hidden in the dirt of the earth?

It is your turn now,

to be placed in fire.

Let us cremate your impurities.

-Rumi

translation by Shahram Shiva, 

Hush Don't Say Anything to God: Passionate Poems of Rumi


*********************************


Once man has thus comprehended the essence of existence 
there remains for him the duty,
since he knows the value of his own soul, 
of making himself a direct path which will constantly lead
his individual soul to and bind it with the universal Soul
of which the Universe, 
as much of it as we perceive with our limited vision,
is one of the infinite manifestations.
Thus Islam's basic principle can only be defined
as monorealism and not as monotheism.
-Aga Khan III (Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah)
Learn more about the Shia Ismailis

Rumi, Rumi, Rumi

Only Your presence revives my withered heart. 

You are the candle that lights the whole world 

and I am an empty vessel for Your Light.
-Rumi-

 
In the blackest of your moments wait with no fear.
-Rumi-

 
Within tears, find a hidden laughter; 

seek treasure amid ruins, sincere one.

-Rumi-

Make peace with the universe.
Take joy in it. 
It will turn to gold. Resurrection will be now. 
Every moment, a new beauty. 
-Rumi-

Love is...

Love is to see what is good and beautiful in everything. 

It is to learn from everything, 

to see the gifts of God and the generosity of God in everything. 

It is to be thankful for all God's bounties. 

-Sheikh Muzaffer

Sufi Soul: The Mystic Music of Islam

Prayer for the Earth by Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee