Aql (intellect) and Nafs (ego) Can Have a Positive and Negative Contribution towards One's Spiritual Development

Accordingly one must align the aql and nafs so that each are gearing positively in the right path, these two faculties need to be orchestrated vigilantly for this to transpire. The aql has been given to man so they can exercise their intelligence and reasoning to understand the Revelation given from God (Nasr, 1979). It is used to attain and absorb knowledge (Akhir, 2012). Gulen (2009) mentions how reason pursues light, a spiritual light, and therefore one gains aql. According to Nasr (1979) it is the Revelation that illuminates the light, which in turn sets intellect and reason in a person and permits it to function to its full potential. It’s crucial to go to depths of a spiritual nature, and permit the aql to absorb this light, which in turn will give its ability to decipher God’s Revelation. It is the aql that can make sense of how magnificent this universe has truly been created, or at least try to grasp that concept, by reading the Qur’an. As previously mentioned, the aql, part of the practical faculty is the source of man’s behaviour (Akhir, 2012). Hence, if it is disciplined towards its religious duties, it will not be led astray by other entities, like the nafs. The nafs cannot remain dormant in its lowest form, and should aspire to advance in good, which will in turn, sync itself with the aql, therefore be guided and disciplined to pray and remember God. Understanding these obligatory duties and practicing them are part of each Muslim’s positive spiritual journey. This will encourage the nafs in the right direction, deterring it from its ill feelings and desires, and both faculties can remain focused on what is truly fundamental in their spiritual journey (Gulen, 2009). One must aspire to cleanse the nafs so it can be of...

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