Sufi-Terminology

Nafs-e-naatiqa: The reality of the rational self (nafs-e-naatiqa) is also the Universal soul (nafs-e-kulliyah.)
Nafs-ul-Amr: (Essence of the Decree) this is the seat of all existence and images in God’s Knowledge (Aayaan-e-Saabitab).

Sufi Proverb

taa nafs hast aarzuu baaqi ast

taa nafs hast aarzuu baaqi ast

Oral Tradition

Sufi Quotes

Until a man treads his carnal-self (Nafs) underfoot, how can he find the way to the Abode of Light.

Until a man treads his carnal-self (Nafs) underfoot, how can he find the way to the Abode of Light.

Fariduddin Attar

Sufi Quotes

Qazi gave much importance to the realisation of the inmost self. It means Sufi should have full contro! over the lower-self (nafs) through muraqba or watching the self.

Qazi gave much importance to the realisation of the inmost self. It means Sufi should have full contro! over the lower-self (nafs) through muraqba or watching the self.

Qazi Hamiduddin Nagori

Rubai

baa-nafs hamesha dar na-bardam che kunam
vaz karda-e-KHveshtan ba-dardam che kunam

Omar Khayyam

sher

har qadam kashmakash har-nafs uljhane.n zindagii vaqf hai dard-e-sar ke liye
pahle apne hii darmaa.n kaa Gam thaa hame.n ab dvaa chaahi.e chaaraagar ke li.e

Shakeel Badayuni

Sufi Quotes

The Shaikh advised his followers to subject material ego (nafs) to self mortification. They were to eat less, sleep less and avoid company. They could engage themselves in anything they liked but had to keep their hearts busy in zikr (praise of God).

The Shaikh advised his followers to subject material ego (nafs) to self mortification. They were to eat less, sleep less and avoid company. They could engage themselves in anything they liked but had to keep their hearts busy in zikr (praise of God).

Naseeruddin Charagh-e-Dehli

Ghazal

jo sālik hai to apne nafs kā irfān paidā kar
haqīqat terī kyā hai pahle ye pahchān paidā kar

Seemab Akbarabadi

Kalaam

sanam ke jism me.n aa kar nafs kaa taar kahte hai.n
barahman ban ke KHud gardan me.n ham zunnaar rakhte hai.n

Aashiq Hyderabadi

Sufi Quotes

No human effort can succeed if it is guided by the nafs (the lower and the material self). Those who deliver sermons and invite others to path of rectitude and trust should be absolutely selfless. One who takes to preaching, his aim should be neither money nor fame but God alone. This alone can enhance the effectiveness of his activity.

No human effort can succeed if it is guided by the nafs (the lower and the material self). Those who deliver sermons and invite others to path of rectitude and trust should be absolutely selfless. One who takes to preaching, his aim should be neither money nor fame but God alone. This alone can enhance the effectiveness of his activity.

Naseeruddin Charagh-e-Dehli

Masnavi

bayaan-e-aa.nkii kushtan-o-zahr daadan-e-mard-e-zargar ba-ishaarat-e-ilaahii buud na ba-havaa-e-nafs-o-ta.ammul-e-faasid
kushtan-e-ii.n mard bar dast-e-hakiim

Rumi

Sufi Quotes

In the order to attain the highest goal of life one must nullify his own ego (selfhood). Since ego is an internal matter, ritual prayers cannot harness it. It is necessary to wage internal war against the nafs.

In the order to attain the highest goal of life one must nullify his own ego (selfhood). Since ego is an internal matter, ritual prayers cannot harness it. It is necessary to wage internal war against the nafs.

Sultan Bahu

Rubai

ii.n nafs-e-sitamgaar ba-bii.n shaitaan ast
paivasta a’ayaan buud ma-go pinhaan ast

Sarmad Kashani

Rubai

ai nafs-e-sitamgaar saraapaa hasrat
juz shukr turaa niist hazaaraa.n ne'amat

Sarmad Kashani

Persian Sufi Poetry

zahe nafs-e-nabii chuu.n gauhar-e-jaa.n paak daamaane
zamii.n raa buu-turaab-o-arsh raa kHurshiid-e-taabaane

Shah Akbar Danapuri

Rubai

baa-nafs-e-sitamgaar baa-ja.ngam har dam
dar bahr-e-vujuud-e-KHud naha.gam har dam

Sarmad Kashani

Rubai

ai nafs-e-sitamgaar chihaa KHvaahii kard
az KHalq-e-KHudaa baaz KHudaa KHvaahii kard

Sarmad Kashani

Sufi Quotes

It is incumbent on the follower of the path leading to Divinity (Tarigat) that he must first divorce or renounce the physical world, and then the second world thereafter and ultimately his own ‘self (Nafs), when alone he can pursue his right path, failing which he should abandon the enterprise of Sufism.

It is incumbent on the follower of the path leading to Divinity (Tarigat) that he must first divorce or renounce the physical world, and then the second world thereafter and ultimately his own ‘self (Nafs), when alone he can pursue his right path, failing which he should abandon the enterprise of Sufism.

Khwaja Gharib Nawaz

sher

achchhe se KHush bure se KHafaa hai ye nafs-e-bad
dekhe ko.ii to haal-e-zaar is shariir kaa

Aminuddin Warsi