Nafs

There is something in Insaan called Nafs. Allah Ta'ala has linked the success of each Insaan in the purification and cleansing of this Nafs. In common language, we can call it 'mentality'. Thus, according to the Qur'an, the success of Insaan lies in reforming his mentality. A person behaves well when he has a good mentality. However, he becomes a nuisance to the society when his mentality is corrupted. Thus, a prosperous society is a society where people have a good mentality.

Good mentality brings about qualities such as sincerity, affection and willingness to help others in a person. On the other hand, a bad mentality develops reprehensible manners such as hypocrisy, jealousy, resentment, selfishness, etc. in a person which in turn creates a climate of insecurity in the society. This is how society can become a hell just as it can also become a paradise. Everything depends on the mentality of people.

The environment plays quite an important role in influencing the character and mentality of an individual. A person adopts the character and mentality of the environment in which he lives. That is why we choose institutions that have a good environment for our children. The best way and the most effective means to form our character and mentality is by befriending one who has a good knowledge of  Deen, experience in life and one who is sincere in his behaviour. In a Hadith, Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) said:

"A person tends to adopt the way of his intimate friend. Thus, each person has to see well who he is befriending."

[English version of "Nafs" – Al Jamiat – Vol.6 No.10]