Nurture your conscience [75:2]

During Ramadan, when our hearts are open and our consciences heightened, let us remind ourselves of the importance of Nafs ul Lawama as mentioned in the Qur'an:

وَلَا أُقْسِمُ بِالنَّفْسِ اللَّوَّامَةِ

[75:2] Nay! I swear by the self-accusing soul.

Now we know that whenever Allah [swt] chooses to swear by something, it is not because He needs to convince us of his veracity. Rather, it is an invitation for mankind to take the object of the oath very seriously and to reflect upon its importance in our lives.

So what is this Nafs ul Lawama that Allah [swt] is swearing by?

Allah has placed within our soul a capacity for self-censorship. The Qur’an swears by the Nafs ul Lawama to emphasize its crucial role in guiding us toward self-improvement and spiritual awakening.

The soul that accuses us, points out our shortcomings, and creates a sense of guilt when we are veering off the straight path. It is an internal compass that is programmed to guide us towards His pleasure. In modern times, guilt is a much frowned upon emotion and people are often told "not to feel guilty".

On the spiritual path however, this guilty conscience is not to be shunned, feared or silenced but embraced, as it nudges us back on the right path when we stray. Like an internal GPS, Nafs ul Lawama helps us correct course when we veer away from our values, especially during times of spiritual fatigue or worldly distractions.

In a world full of distractions, we are tempted to quiet this inner voice [it IS uncomfortable, and we love comfort] through indulgence, addiction, and mindless entertainment. We seek to silence the discomfort that guilt brings because it feels like an unwelcome interruption. Yet, ignoring guilt does not make it disappear immediately. Over time however, if we continue to disregard it, the voice of the self-accusing soul becomes weaker, and eventually, we stop feeling guilty altogether. At that point, our internal GPS fails us, and we lose the ability to distinguish right from wrong. And what happens when a GPS fails and we do not recognize the where we are? This is when we are most vulnerable to being lost – in life and in our faith.

The concept of Nafs ul Lawama offers a powerful reminder that guilt is not an enemy but a guide. It forces us to look inward, confront our errors, and make amends with God and those we have wronged. Instead of numbing ourselves to this discomfort, we can learn to befriend it, to listen and to correct course. This is the essence of spiritual growth – listening to our conscience and seeking forgiveness when we fall short. This is why Imam Ali [as] said: "The soundness of consciences is from the best provisions".

Psychologically, guilt serves as an emotional feedback mechanism that can prompt us to reflect on our actions and align them with our higher aspirations. When we feel guilty, it is because we have failed to live in accordance with our values. This sense of unease can be a prompt to re-evaluate our behavior, make necessary changes, and heal the relationships we have damaged. Scholars explain that this sense of guilt acts as a mini-judgment, akin to the larger judgment we will all face on the Day of Resurrection.

The process of spiritual growth involves moving through three stages of the soul:

1. Nafs al-Ammara– the soul that incites towards evil, driven by base desires.
2. Nafs ul Lawama– the soul that accuses, a conscience that awakens us when we stray from our path.
3. Nafs al-Mutmainna– the soul at peace, fully aligned with God’s will.

It is the second stage, Nafs ul Lawama, that plays a pivotal role in our spiritual transformation. This self-accusing soul, though uncomfortable, is a sign of life in our hearts. It is a call to better ourselves, to correct our missteps, and to strive for greater alignment with our purpose. As Imam Ali (as) said: "Whoever does not have a voice of self-blame does not have a heart." So in our day-to-day lives, the self-accusing soul holds us accountable, urging us to take responsibility for our actions and correct course before it’s too late.

To nurture Nafs ul Lawama and keep it in good working order, we must first acknowledge its role in our lives. We need not fear guilt or shame but rather see them as opportunities for growth. Each time guilt arises, we can reflect on its source and ask ourselves what needs to be changed. Instead of running from the discomfort, we can embrace it, learn from it, and seek forgiveness from God and those around us. It is in this process of self-correction and seeking forgiveness that we refine our character and move closer to becoming the best version of ourselves.

And this process of growth is perfectly aligned with our wellbeing both in this world and the next. When we follow our conscience, we do not live in regret [which is even more uncomfortable than guilt]. Also, contrary to social media memes, self-worth and esteem does NOT come from external sources. Self-esteem is a byproduct of living according to our highest aspirations and making amends when we don’t. [can you see how?]

This Ramadan, as we strive to purify our hearts and souls, let us make peace with our Nafs ul Lawama. Let us use it as a guide to improve ourselves, knowing that its discomfort is a sign of life within us – a sign that we are still capable of growth and transformation. And may we continue on the path of self-development, with Nafs ul Lawama leading us toward peace, righteousness, and ultimate submission to God.

The podcast episode is uploaded here

And have you subscribed to the YouTube channel and Podcast? It will ensure you will not miss a single episode and you can catch up on past episodes as well!