Understanding the Self
Understanding the self is one of the most important keys to human awareness. It is the starting point of self-reform and inner balance. The self is the source of behavior, the driver of decisions, and the place where the inner struggle between good and evil exists. The more a person understands themselves, the more capable they become of controlling and guiding their actions toward what is right.
Islam gives great importance to the understanding of the self, clearly explaining its nature and warning against its dangers if left without discipline or self-accountability. Allah, the Exalted, says in the Holy Qur’an:
“And I do not acquit myself. Indeed, the soul is a persistent enjoiner of evil, except those upon whom my Lord has mercy. Indeed, my Lord is Forgiving and Merciful.”
(Surah Yusuf, 12:53)
This verse explains the reality of the human soul—that it naturally inclines toward evil if it is not restrained by faith, refined by piety, and monitored through sincere self-reflection. Understanding the self does not mean justifying its mistakes, but rather recognizing its weaknesses and striving to correct them.
In Islam, a person rises through stages of the soul: from the self that commands evil, to the self-reproaching soul, and finally to the tranquil soul—through faith, righteous deeds, and the struggle against personal desires. Understanding the self is the beginning of its purification, and purification of the soul is the path to inner peace and closeness to Allah.
In the end, whoever truly understands their soul becomes aware of its weaknesses and works to strengthen them, recognizes its dangers and avoids them, and walks through life with awareness and balance, seeking guidance and mercy from Allah.
