Controlling the greed
By: Dr Aftab jan
In the realm of Islamic spirituality, there is perhaps no greater struggle than the struggle against one’s own nafs—the inner self that is constantly torn between the call toward goodness and the lure of desires.
The term “nafs” in Arabic refers to the self, soul, or ego. The Qur’an discusses the nafs in different states: the nafs al-ammarah, which commands toward evil and temptation; the nafs al-lawwama, which reproaches itself when one sins; and the nafs al-mutma’innah, the tranquil soul at peace with Allah.
The journey of a believer is to elevate the nafs from its base desires to a state where it finds serenity in obedience to Allah. Yet, in today’s rapidly changing world, this journey has become increasingly challenging. We live in an age of endless distractions, with smartphones buzzing every moment, social media platforms flooding us with images and videos that ignite desire and envy, and a culture that celebrates instant gratification over discipline.
In this era, the nafs has become both more cunning and more powerful, leading countless people—especially the youth—to choices that destroy their mental health, families, and futures. It is deeply painful to observe how many young men and women, driven by unchecked desires, have fallen into addictions, illicit relationships, pornography, substance abuse, gambling, and other self-destructive behaviors, only to find themselves spiritually empty and emotionally shattered.
The Qur’an explicitly warns about the dangers of following the nafs without restraint. Allah says, “Indeed, the soul is a persistent enjoiner of evil, except those upon which my Lord has mercy” (Qur’an 12:53). This verse highlights that unless a person receives Allah’s guidance and mercy, the nafs will drag them toward sin.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, upon returning from a battle, said to his companions, “We have returned from the lesser jihad to the greater jihad.” When asked what the greater jihad was, he replied, “The jihad against one’s own nafs.” This powerful statement underlines that the real battlefield is not just external but lies within ourselves. The Prophet ﷺ also said, “The strong one is not the one who can overpower others, but the one who controls himself when angry” (Bukhari & Muslim). Today’s society often measures strength by physical power, social status, or wealth, but Islam teaches that true strength lies in self-control and mastery over one’s own desires. This message is profoundly relevant in a world where people often lose themselves to their impulses, sometimes with tragic consequences.
We see young people who once had bright futures falling into ruin because they could not control their nafs. A promising student begins watching explicit content online for mere curiosity, only to become addicted and unable to concentrate on studies, eventually dropping out of university, consumed by shame and secrecy.
The modern world has magnified the power of the nafs, making sins accessible with a single tap. Pornography, forbidden relationships, drugs, vaping, alcohol, get-rich-quick schemes—all these things promise happiness but deliver emptiness and ruin. The nafs whispers, “Just once,” and people obey, thinking they can stop anytime, but the reality is that once desires take root, they enslave the heart.
Islam offers practical, deeply spiritual solutions to control the nafs and prevent it from leading us to destruction. One of the greatest tools is worship. Salah, the five daily prayers, is not merely a ritual but a discipline that trains the soul. Allah says, “Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing” (Qur’an 29:45). When performed sincerely, salah anchors a person, reminding them five times a day that they are a servant of Allah, not a slave to their desires. Fasting, both obligatory in Ramadan and voluntary throughout the year, is another powerful weapon against the nafs. The Prophet ﷺ said, “Fasting is a shield” (Bukhari). It teaches us to restrain even permissible desires like food and drink, so that we are better equipped to resist forbidden desires. When a person willingly goes hungry for Allah’s sake, their soul learns that discipline is more important than comfort.
Beyond acts of worship, dhikr (remembrance of Allah) is essential. Simple phrases like SubhanAllah (Glory be to Allah), Alhamdulillah (All praise is for Allah), and Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest) purify the heart and push away the whispers of the nafs and Shaytaan.
The Prophet ﷺ said, “Keep your tongue moist with the remembrance of Allah.” In moments of weakness, remembering Allah can be the difference between falling into sin and turning away from it. Lowering the gaze is another fundamental command from Allah, especially crucial in our time when indecent images and videos bombard us everywhere we look. Allah commands, “Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what they do” (Qur’an 24:30). Lowering the gaze does not only mean avoiding physical sight; it also means guarding our hearts from desires triggered through our screens, movies, and conversations.
Moderation is also vital in controlling the nafs. Islam is a religion of balance, as Allah says, “And thus We have made you a just community” (Qur’an 2:143). Excessive food, sleep, entertainment, or even social media strengthens the nafs. The Prophet ﷺ taught moderation in all things. He said, “The son of Adam does not fill a vessel worse than his stomach. It is sufficient for the son of Adam to eat a few mouthfuls to keep his back straight. If he must do so, then a third for his food, a third for his drink, and a third for his breath” (Tirmidhi). Overindulgence makes it harder to resist desires because the nafs becomes accustomed to being fed every urge.
Another powerful method to control the nafs is choosing good companions. The Prophet ﷺ said, “A person follows the religion of his close friend; so let each of you look at whom he takes as a friend” (Tirmidhi). Good friends remind us of Allah, encourage us to do good, and pull us back when we drift. In contrast, bad company fuels desires, normalizes sin, and makes haram activities look attractive. Many youth who have ruined their lives started with the wrong friends. A single friend introducing drugs, pornography, alcohol, or gambling can lead someone down a path of destruction. Social media has magnified this problem, creating digital “friends” and influencers who spread harmful values and make sin look glamorous.
Today’s generation faces unique challenges. Society glorifies self-expression without limits. People say, “Follow your heart,” “Live your truth,” “You only live once.” These slogans sound liberating but often serve the nafs. Islam, however, teaches that we should follow what Allah commands, not every feeling we have. The Prophet ﷺ warned that there will come a time when people will see evil as good and good as evil. We see this happening when modesty is mocked, chastity is ridiculed, and sin is celebrated. Young people, overwhelmed by societal pressures, sometimes think they are missing out if they don’t experiment with drugs, dating, sexual experiences, or wild parties. But the truth is, many who chase these pleasures end up depressed, anxious, and spiritually broken.
We must also address the impact of uncontrolled nafs on mental health. Anxiety, depression, loneliness, and addiction are skyrocketing worldwide. Part of this crisis stems from chasing desires that can never fully satisfy. The nafs always wants more—more pleasure, more likes, more attention, more money. Yet the more we feed it, the emptier we feel.
Reflecting on death and the Hereafter is a powerful cure for the nafs. The Prophet ﷺ said, “Remember often the destroyer of pleasures—death” (Tirmidhi). This reminder humbles us and makes us prioritize eternal life over temporary enjoyment. The Qur’an reminds us, “But you prefer the worldly life, while the Hereafter is better and more enduring” (Qur’an 87:16-17). When we remember that every forbidden desire might cost us our hereafter, it becomes easier to resist. Yet sadly, many people live as if death is far away, wasting their youth on meaningless pleasures until suddenly they find themselves in despair.
Parents, scholars, and communities have a duty to guide the youth. We must talk openly about the traps of the nafs, the consequences of sin, and the beauty of living a disciplined life close to Allah. We should not merely say, “Haram, haram,” without offering practical solutions and understanding the pressures youth face today.
At the same time, young people must understand that while the nafs whispers that obedience to Allah is difficult and boring, the reality is the opposite. Obedience brings serenity. Sin brings turmoil. We see countless examples around us of people who, after living lives of indulgence, return to Allah in tears, saying, “I wish I had listened earlier.”
