[12] \n In the slightly different meanings of...

[12] \n In the slightly different meanings of \u2018Nafs\u2019 (Self) a specific negative aspect of \u2018Self\u2019 is addressed: \n \u0625\u0650\u0646\u064e\u0651 \u0627\u0644\u0646\u064e\u0651\u0641\u0652\u0633\u064e \u0644\u064e\u0623\u064e\u0645\u064e\u0651\u0627\u0631\u064e\u0629\u064c \u0628\u0650\u0627\u0644\u0633\u064f\u0651\u0648\u0621\u0650 \n Indeed the (man\u2019s) self is certainly prone to (commit) evil (12:53).

\n At several places the translator and the commentators have used the word \u2018soul\u2019 here rather than the \u2018Self\u2019 for \u2018Nafs\u2019 which makes it difficult to understand the differences between the \u2018Ruh\u2019 and the \u2018Nafs\u2019.

However, a Holy Hadith of Imam Jafar-e-Sadiq -asws explains the concept of \u2018Nafs\u2019 thoroughly, how one should recoginse the \u2018Ruh\u2019 and the \u2018Nafs\u2019: \n Imam Jafar-e-Sadiq -asws said: One can realise \u2018\u0639\u0631\u0641\u0627\u0646 \u0627\u0644\u0645\u0631\u0621 \u0646\u0641\u0633\u0647\u2019 (recognition of one\u2019s Nafs) through four natures, four supports, and four pillars.

\n The natures (of the Nafs) are: \u2018\u0641\u0637\u0628\u0627\u0626\u0639\u0647 \u0627\u0644\u062f\u0645 \u0648 \u0627\u0644\u0645\u0631\u0629 \u0648 \u0627\u0644\u0631\u064a\u062d \u0648 \u0627\u0644\u0628\u0644\u063a\u0645\u2019 blood, bile, wind, and the thick fluid; \n And the supports (of Nafs) are: the \u2018Aql\u2019, and Aql has its (further) branches, cleverness, prudence and the knowledge [13] ; \n And (its) \u2018\u0623\u0631\u0643\u0627\u0646\u0647\u2019 – pillars are \u2018\u0627\u0644\u0646\u0648\u0631\u2019 (the Noor- eyesight), \u2018\u0627\u0644\u0646\u0627\u0631\u2019 (the Fire – the heat generated within body), \u2018\u0627\u0644\u0631\u0648\u062d\u2019 (the Ruh \u2013Soul), and \u2018\u0627\u0644\u0645\u0627\u0621\u2019 the Water.

\n The appearance of a man is in (according to) \u2018\u0637\u064a\u0646\u062a\u0647\u2019 (the mud through which he was created from). He could see through \u2018\u0627\u0644\u0646\u0648\u0631\u2019 light (eyesight), eat and drink through fire (the digestive system- the acids), restrict and move through \u2018\u0627\u0644\u0631\u0648\u062d\u2019 the soul, and (could) find the taste of every delicious thing and food through water (the saliva). This is the basis of man\u2019s characteristics.