Surah Yûsuf 12:53

وَمَا أُبَرِّئُ نَفْسِي ۚ إِنَّ النَّفْسَ لَأَمَّارَةٌ بِالسُّوءِ إِلَّا مَا رَحِمَ رَبِّي 

12:53 Nafs al-Ammârah النَّفْسَ لَأَمَّارَةٌ is the commanding spirit or the human nature that incites to evil. Nafsis the human soul, nature, or spirit.

There are three stages in the spiritual development of a human being. The first is the stage of Nafs al-Ammârah, the stage where the Nafs enjoins evil. This is the lowest stage and corresponds to the “animal self”. At this level, our desires and passions rule our minds and the animal in us predominates. Since nafs al-Ammârah dominates our actions and we submit to its prompting and compelling demands, it is called the commanding spirit - nafs al-Ammârah. The second stage of human development is called nafs al-Lawwâmah, which is “the self-accusing spirit” (75:2). Sometimes something within us reproves us if we stray from the right path or balk at the injunctions of righteousness. An inner voice admonishes when we think of violating the sanctities and plan evil. Some people call it “conscience”, which is an ambiguous term. Nafs al-lawwamah is the first evolutionary stage in the growth of our spirit. The moment we acquire the knowledge of right and wrong, a struggle starts between the commanding spirit and self-accusing spirit. The former commands usurpation and misappropriation, while the latter speaks of justice and equity. When there is a departure from the path of rectitude, the accusing voice speaks out, provided it is not yet completely suppressed or killed by Nafs al-Ammârah. When we heed this voice, we advance to the next higher level of spiritual evolution.

This is known as nafs al-Mutma’innah النَّفْسُ الْمُطْمَئِنَّةُ or “the spirit at rest” (89:27). At this level, the human soul has tasted the fruit of “Peace”. It is in on its way to perfect peace within itself. The inner restlessness and struggle between nafs al-Ammârah and nafs al-Lawwâmah is ongoing, but through relentless effort, nafs al-Ammârah, the evil commanding spirit, is completely subdued and nafs al-Lawwâmah prevails.This soul now focuses steadily on its evolutionary path and reaches a point where a “fire from above” descends on it and burns away every remnant of evil inclinations. A voice then says, ارْجِعِي إِلَىٰ رَبِّكِ رَاضِيَةً مَّرْضِيَّةً”, and the soul returns to its Lord and becomes reconciled with Him. Divine Will becomes his will and the Lord is well pleased with it. Then a voice says, فَادْخُلِي فِي عِبَادِي, and this soul enters into the companionship of the Lords special servants. This again is not the place to stop and take rest. A light shines forth and guides this soul to the realms of the Lord and the souls walk steadily therein. As this soul sees the grand Divine Kingdom, it runs towards its creator and wants to leave everything that had veiled it from its Lord behind. At this advanced stage the soul is already commanded - وَادْخُلِي جَنَّتِي “Enter My Paradise” where there will be rest, however this does not imply stopping its striving in this world or cessation of spiritual progression.

Those who have attained the nafs al-Lawwâmah (self-accusing soul) and those who have attained the nafs al-Mutma’innah are spoken of as “those on whom the Lord has mercy”. These are the words of Joseph. The righteous never attribute any good to themselves, but only to their Lord, Who is the source of all goodness. When a man addressed Jesus as good master, he said, “Why callest thou me good? (Mar.10:18).”