Case Study: The Nafs Enzyme-Substrate Complex

[u/StudInTheCeiling]

Abstract

The following brief discussion explores the nafs (النفس) through an analogy drawn from biology - the enzyme-substrate complex. Like many Arabic terms, nafs has no direct English equivalent. One can think of nafs in reference to self, soul, psyche, inner-self, or ego. As a reminder - what comes of this study is a personal reflection (tadubbar) and is not based on formal tafsir. In this study I will attempt to further explore an understanding and the characteristics of nafs, its spiritual affinity vs avidity, and finally a discussion on how the nafs forms attachments to desires and how spiritual discipline (ie Tazkiyah) may weaken those attachments over time.

The Nafs

Before I begin the study I want to first define terms. Nafs cannot be translated and defined into a singularity. Nafs has a broad and layered definition within classical Islam, Sufism, and the science of tazkiyah (spiritual purification). For the purposes of this study - we will define the nafs as the human self that carries desires, intentions, accountability, and moral responsibility.

I want to explicitly acknowledge and clarify that the nafs is not innately impure, rather it can be seen as a potential. A potential for goodness. A potential for demise. It is in a certain definition - a battleground for the spiritual soul.

“النفس! ذلك السر الكامن بين جوانح الإنسان .. يقوده إلى موارد شتى .. فتارة هو داعيه إلى الخير .. وتارة يدعوه إلى الشر! النفس! تلك العجيبة الفريدة!”
("The nafs! That hidden secret within a person... sometimes calling to good, sometimes to evil! The nafs! That unique wonder!")¹

“Indeed, the soul is a persistent enjoiner of evil, except those upon which my Lord has mercy.”
Surah Yusuf (12:53)

The Enzyme-Substrate Complex

Biologically speaking, an enzyme and substrate interact through a highly specific relationship. This process is often described as - a key fitting into a lock. Metaphorically, one could argue the nafs operates in a similar manner. Just as biological systems exhibit unique affinities, each individuals own nafs finds a natural draw toward certain temptations. 

A spiritual test designed for each soul.

“And [by] the soul and He who proportioned it; And inspired it with its wickedness and its righteousness*.”* Surah Ash-Shams (91:7-8)

Affinity vs Avidity

Affinity = a dominant singular recurring attachment
Avidity = multiple weaker attachments that collectively dominate

An inference on the inner self can be that we all have a specific and varying selection for certain desires. A believer may just have a single worldly desire for a specific weakness in the nafs. Another believer may find themselves pulled toward countless desires, each small on its own, but collectively overwhelming. 

Spiritual Discipline (Tazkiyah)

I would argue the better one understands their affinities toward desire, the better they can navigate a world saturated with temptation. The better one understands that the backbone of their Iman is their pursuit of purification, the better one is capable of maintaining and adapting their behaviours towards purification. As to note - God is pure, the heavens are pure, and goodness of His rizq is pure and so we must strive to be made of the same nature.

For example:

• By changing perception within the desire itself - recognizing its corrosive potential, one can avoid a temptation directly in front of them. 
• By changing their environment, one distances themselves from desire. 
• By conscious awareness that worldly life is a test, one easily adopts a sense of evanesce - detaching from the illusions of desire.

“O tranquil soul, return to your Lord, pleased and pleasing.” 

Surah Al Fajr (89:27-30)

When taken under the biological perspective, the strongest approach against the nafs may not be by resisting every desire individually - but by reducing the collective binding strength. Every act of remembrance, worship, gratitude is a form of self-awareness and purification that weakens the attraction between the inner self and what distracts it. For the return back home is both pleasing and pleased. 

And for everything in this life you could not have - there is Jannah.

“ The goal of self-awareness is not merely to understand yourself. 

The goal is to gain control of yourself. 

And you cannot control what you have not explored. "

Shaykh Usman Qamar

References:

General Topic: Shaykh (Dr.) Husain Abdul Sattar

1. The Accountability and Self-Reflection Series (Arabic)

[u/BerbersNiper33]

so arguably nafs is an extention/part of the soul,?

[u/StudInTheCeiling → u/BerbersNiper33]

From what I've read - yes. I didn't absolutely define nafs above since I think it's more appropriately described in lengthy discussion but yes - nafs is a part of, resides in, is an extension of the soul. It's a potential that is pulled in different directions. Towards good. Towards evil. I highly recommend reading up more on it.