2. Nafs al-Lawwama (the Soul that Blames, the Reproaching soul)

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

(2) Nafs al-Lawwama (the Soul that Blames, the Reproaching soul)
This is the self in its original state of birth into the world as Allah says,

"And [by] the soul and He who proportioned it (7) And inspired it [with discernment of] its wickedness and its righteousness, (8)" (Shams 91:7-8)

Allah refers to this Nafs,

وَنَفْسٍ وَمَا سَوَّىٰهَا ﴿٧﴾ فَأَلْهَمَهَا فُجُورَهَا وَتَقْوَىٰهَا ﴿٨

"And I swear by the reproaching soul [to the certainty of resurrection]. (2)" (Al-Qiyamah 75:2)

This Nafs is conscious of its own imperfections.

Hasan al-Basri said, "You always see the believer blaming himself and saying things like 'Did I want this? Why did I do that? Was this better than that?"….

This is the self that has been touched by Allah's Mercy so that when it commits a sin or falls into disobedience, it blames itself and turns to forgiveness and repents to its Sustainer. Then it holds on to obedience until it slips back into sin then it turns to forgiveness and repentance and so on.

It has grasped what the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "All humans are prone to sin and the best sinners are those who repent."

It is a self that is in constant fluctuation between obedience and disobedience. One time it is heedless and falls and another it is aware and resists.

This is the natural station which we start from at birth and from there we descend or ascend. Its sign is the fluctuation between the characteristics of the people of this world and the people of the next world. It is not in the same evil condition as the Commanding Self but the two desires of immortality and sovereignty are still active in it although in a much reduced or weakened condition. This is the first stage of salvation for the self and the first step toward its purification and success.