Tahzib al-Nafs

The understanding of Tazkiyah al-Nafs is deeply rooted in the Quran and Hadith literature. In Shia ideology, the Quran serves as a guiding compass, directing believers towards virtue. Verses such as, “Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due and when you judge between people to judge with justice” (Quran 4:58) encapsulate the ethical dimension of this purification process. Here, trust and justice are not mere guidelines but essential prerequisites for the purification of one’s soul.

Complementing the Quranic directives are the prophetic traditions reported from the esteemed lineage of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), particularly those relayed by the Imams. The teachings stress that spiritual purity involves both the rectification of internal sentiments and the amelioration of external behaviors. The Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq emphasized, “The one who knows himself knows his Lord.” This profound recognition underscores the interdependence between self-awareness and divine connection.

The Stages of Tazkiyah Al-Nafs