WHICH IS THE BEST SOUL?

We all know that the heart of man is not stable, rather, it is always changing. the Muslim soul should be taken towards spiritual ascent always as the Qur'an states:

لَتَرْكَبُنَّ طَبَقًا عَن طَبَقٍ

you shall surely travel from stage to state. Q84 : 19

Hence, the 3 types of soul commonly known are:

1. Nafsul Ammarah (commanding soul)

2. Nafsul l Lawaamah (self reproaching soul)

3. Nafsul Mutma’innah (tranquil soul)

1. Nafsul Ammarah (commanding soul): In this type of soul, the body is commanded by the soul and hence it is bound to become corrupt. In turn, the corruption of the body deadens the soul further. This type of soul commands evil and mischief. it commands the body to kill, commit adultery, fornication, and all other atrocities. Soul of this type is not befitting a believer. It is said that anyone carrying this type of soul could be compared to
the animal that always follows its base desire.

2. Nafsul l Lawaamah (self reproaching soul): When the stage of Nafsul Ammarah is crossed, the next stage is Nafsul l Lawaamah.

This type of soul is the one that, if it forgetfully errs or falls into temptation, remembers Allah, condemn the action and seek Allah’s forgiveness, Many people fall into this category but it must be understood that this is not the peak of spiritual levels.. the creator swears by this type of soul in the Quran :

وَلَا أُقْسِمُ بِالنَّفْسِ اللَّوَّامَةِ

And i swear by the self reproaching soul Q75 :2

3. Nafsul Mutma’innah (tranquil soul): And this is the best of souls. the servant who strive to reach this level, Allah the most high will bestow his light on his hand, sights, legs and hear. The possessor of this kind of soul is indeed the friend of Allah, who shall remain under his perfect protection.

He would have been closed to Allah that his closeness with him would have prevented him from the prohibitions of Allah and would have made the commandments of Allah very easy to him.

this type of soul is the only soul that is expressly given tidings of paradise in the Quran.

يَا أَيَّتُهَا النَّفْسُ الْمُطْمَئِنَّةُ ﴿٢٧﴾ ارْجِعِي إِلَىٰ رَبِّكِ رَاضِيَةً مَّرْضِيَّةً ﴿٢٨﴾ فَادْخُلِي فِي عِبَادِي ﴿٢٩﴾ وَادْخُلِي جَنَّتِي

 (To the righteous soul will be said:) "o ye contended soul, comeback to thy lord, well pleased and well pleased unto him! enter among my devotee! enter into my garden (paradise) Q 89 : 27-30

And how do one gets to this stage?

Only a vigorous and relentless servitude to Allah will take a believer to this peak of spiritual ascent. When the fierce battle between the body of man and his soul is won by faith and relentless servitude to Allah, achieving this spiritual level will not be difficult.

O Allah, grant our soul its piety and purify it, for you are the best that can purify it and protect it.

O Allah, the changer of hearts, direct our hearts to your obedience.