Quran; A Compassionate Adviser

TEHRAN (IQNA) – One of the attributes of the Holy Quran is its being an adviser. It is a book that help us live a better life and it never deceives us.  

There may individuals whom we face in life that pretend to be compassionate but then deceive and mislead us. But the Quran is not like that. It is a really compassionate and wise adviser.

Imam Ali (AS), in Nahj al-Balagha, underlines this attribute of the Holy Book.

He says in Sermon 176 of Nahj al-Balagha: “Wa Astansihu ala Anfusakum (Seek its advice for yourselves).”

One may ask about the word Anfusakum and why it is plural. It is because our Nafs (self) has three levels:

1- Nafs al-Ammarah. Ammarah means urging to do bad. This Nafs calls us to sin and because committing sins is against wisdom, this Nafs does not follow the intellect. Nafs al-Ammarah is the lowest state of Nafs and in Hadiths, we are advised to confront it.

2- Nafs al-Lawamah. Lawamah means regretful and reproachful. When one makes a mistake or commits a wrongdoing, he immediately regrets it and rebukes himself. This comes from Nafs al-Lawamah. The name of this Nafs is based on Verse 2 of Surah Al-Qyiamah: “I swear by the reproachful soul!”  

3- Nafs al-Muthmainnah. It is the highest state of Nafs. It means that a person has reached a state of certainty and spiritual peace as a result of following the intellect and avoiding sin that not committing sin is normal for him. God says in Verses 27-30 of Surah Al-Fajr: “O soul that art at rest! Return to your Lord well pleased with him and He will be pleased with you. Enter among My servants. Enter My Paradise.”

According to Ibn Maytham Bahrani’s explanation of Nahj al-Balagha, what Imam Ali (AS) means by calling the Quran Nasih (adviser) is advising against Nafs al-Ammarah, saying that while Nafs al-Ammarah urges a person to commit sins, the Quran wants good for us and warns us against following worldly desires and whims.