Nafs / Self / Inner Voice

A neo-pagan asked: I am curious, Samiya, what you may think regarding our inner voice that we are considering as a voice of spiritual, perhaps divine, guidance that leads us ever to follow a higher (?) path. This inner voice is not quite free will, but something other. It is some manner of beacon within our hearts that calls us to our more noble and compassionate destinies. Abraham Lincoln once referred to it as "our better angels" in suggesting that it is a divine voice that always urges compassion, kindness, love, caring, giving, and sacrifice for others. 

As you have read in our posts, I'm sure, we have labeled it with more names than are useful, due to our obvious confusion and uncertainty about just what it may be. ... What is the, or more likely what ARE the, Islamic views and comments on this idea of an inner voice. Is it our soul/spirit speaking to us? Is it the voice of God, or some quality he has bestowed upon us to give us direction through life? It is also possible, though I doubt it, that Muslims reject the notion of any such 'inner guidance' (?). 

...

Reply: The Quran uses the word NAFS to describe the SELF. This SELF is described by various adjectives, such as NAFS-e-AMMARRA, NAFS-e-LAWAMMA and NAFS-e-MUTMAINNA 

The NAFS-e-AMMARRA is the SELF which urges us to evil [http://islamawakened.com/quran/12/53/]

The NAFS-e-LAWAMMA is the SELF which we speak of as our conscience [http://islamawakened.com/quran/75/2/]

The NAFS-e-MUTMAINNA is the SELF who's conscience is clear and is satisfied and contented with God, and God is pleased with this SELF. [http://islamawakened.com/quran/89/27/] 

Copied below are the last four verses of Quran Chapter 89. To read the entire chapter, please visit: http://searchtruth.com/chapter_display_all.php?chapter=89 

The SELF is a real entity, something which the Quran informs us is taken by God when we sleep, and returned to those for whom death has not been decreed, and withheld from those whose death was decreed while they slept. 

	27   يَا أَيَّتُهَا النَّفْسُ الْمُطْمَئِنَّةُ
	Transliteration 27:  Ya ayyatuha alnnafsu almutmainnatu
	Pickthal 27:  But ah! thou soul at peace!
	28   ارْجِعِي إِلَىٰ رَبِّكِ رَاضِيَةً مَّرْضِيَّةً
	Transliteration 28:  IrjiAAee ila rabbiki radiyatan mardiyyatan
	Pickthal 28:  Return unto thy Lord, content in His good pleasure!
	29   فَادْخُلِي فِي عِبَادِي
	Transliteration 29:  Faodkhulee fee AAibadee
	Pickthal 29:  Enter thou among My bondmen!
	30   وَادْخُلِي جَنَّتِي
	Transliteration 30:  Waodkhulee jannatee
	Pickthal 30:  Enter thou My Garden!

... please note that I only respond with my current understanding of what the Quran states; it may or may not represent popular Muslim belief. I would request you and all who read my emails and blogposts to please crosscheck with the original texts and other people's perspectives. 

WHAT to call LIFE?

JM asked: ... do you have a distinction WHAT to call LIFE? 

What life? human only, or "ANY"? including plant, microbial, inorganic, etc.?

Do the diverse kinds of such diversified life-listings have different Gods? 

Do a rose struggle to get into the ROSE-HEAVEN? (or into the same, where we may prefer to spend eternity?) ...

Answer: 

The following verses address some of your questions:

Present Creation

Do not see those who disbelieved that the heavens and the earth were a joined entity, then We parted them and We made from [the] water every living thing? Then will not they believe? 

http://islamawakened.com/quran/21/30/ 

And present to them the example (of) the life (of) the world, like water which We send down from the sky, then mingles with it (the) vegetation (of) the earth then becomes dry stalks, it (is) scattered (by) the winds. And Allah over every thing (is) All Able. 

http://islamawakened.com/quran/18/45/ 

And not [of] any animal in the earth and not a bird (that) flies with its wings - but (are) communities like you. We have not neglected in the Book [of] anything, then to their Lord they will be gathered. 

http://islamawakened.com/quran/6/38/ 

Glory be (to) the One Who created (in) pairs all of what grows the earth and of themselves, and of what not they know. 

http://islamawakened.com/quran/36/36/ 

Creation in the Hereafter 

Regarding the details of the wonderful life promised in the Gardens of Eden, they are intended as a delightful surprise: 

And not knows a soul what is hidden for them of (the) comfort (for) the eyes (as) a reward for what they used (to) do. 

http://islamawakened.com/quran/32/17/  

The Quran does list some of the characteristics of the Gardens promised for the Hereafter. What strikes me is that the characteristics listed are generally those which scientists theorise as primary conditions essential for life, as well as those to not to age or decay. I've listed some verses at: 

Immortality & A Kingdom that Never Decays: http://signsandscience.blogspot.com/2015/11/mission-of-messengers-vi.html 

Bliss & Realm Magnificent: http://signsandscience.blogspot.com/2014/09/bliss-realm-magnificent.html  

On the contrary, Immortality is also promised in Hell, but everything there will be in a state of decay, and thus great suffering will be the fate of those who must dwell there. The following are some aspects of that which I've tried to understand: 

Fuel of Hell: Humans & Stones: http://signsandscience.blogspot.com/2015/03/fuel-of-hell-humans-and-stones.html 

Until the Camel passes through the Eye of the Needle: http://signsandscience.blogspot.com/2014/05/until-camel-passes-through-eye-of-needle.html 

One and Only God

And they make with Allah partners - jinn though He has created them, and they falsely attribute to Him sons and daughters without knowledge. Glorified is He and Exalted above what they attribute. Originator (of) the heavens and the earth. How can be for Him a son while not (there) is for Him a companion, and He created every thing? And He (is) of every thing All-Knower. That (is) Allah your Lord, (there is) no god except Him, (the) Creator (of) every thing, so worship Him. And He (is) on every thing a Guardian. 

http://islamawakened.com/quran/6/100/ ; http://islamawakened.com/quran/6/101/ ; http://islamawakened.com/quran/6/102/ 

Quran Chapter 27, verses 60-66 question thus: 

1 Ta, Seen. These are the verses of the Qur'an and a clear Book 

...

60 [More precisely], is He [not best] who created the heavens and the earth and sent down for you rain from the sky, causing to grow thereby gardens of joyful beauty which you could not [otherwise] have grown the trees thereof? Is there a deity with Allah? [No], but they are a people who ascribe equals [to Him].

61 Is He [not best] who made the earth a stable ground and placed within it rivers and made for it firmly set mountains and placed between the two seas a barrier? Is there a deity with Allah? [No], but most of them do not know.

62 Is He [not best] who responds to the desperate one when he calls upon Him and removes evil and makes you inheritors of the earth? Is there a deity with Allah? Little do you remember.

63 Is He [not best] who guides you through the darknesses of the land and sea and who sends the winds as good tidings before His mercy? Is there a deity with Allah? High is Allah above whatever they associate with Him.

64 Is He [not best] who begins creation and then repeats it and who provides for you from the heaven and earth? Is there a deity with Allah? Say, "Produce your proof, if you should be truthful."

65 Say, "None in the heavens and earth knows the unseen except Allah, and they do not perceive when they will be resurrected."

66 Rather, their knowledge is arrested concerning the Hereafter. Rather, they are in doubt about it. Rather, they are, concerning it, blind. 

...

92 And to recite the Qur'an." And whoever is guided is only guided for [the benefit of] himself; and whoever strays - say, "I am only [one] of the warners."

93 And say, "[All] praise is [due] to Allah. He will show you His signs, and you will recognize them. And your Lord is not unaware of what you do."

http://searchtruth.com/chapter_display.php?chapter=27&translator=29