The Nafs and the One who Made it

One of the lessons we derive from the holy Quran is the emphasis on the soul or the self. The Al-Mighty states in Surah Shams: “Truly he succeeds that purifies it, And he fails that corrupts it! (91:9-10). At the end, we have the obligation to save ourselves from the hellfire. In this article, we have compiled a list of verses that remind us of how we can purify our souls as well as make us aware of the things that corrupt it. This is truly beautiful and full of profound meaning. Let us reflect together on the balance of the All-Knowing, the Omnipotent, and the Almighty:

• (So whoever sees, it is for [the benefit of] his soul) – Surah Al-An’am, 6:104
• (Whoever does righteousness, it is for his soul) – Surah Al-Jathiyah, 45:15
• (And whoever is grateful is grateful for [the benefit of] himself) – Surah Luqman, 31:12
• (And whoever purifies himself only purifies himself for the benefit of his soul) – Surah Fatir, 35:18
• (And whoever strives only strives for himself) – Surah Al-Ankabut, 29:6
• (So whoever is guided is only guided for [the benefit of] his soul) – Surah An-Naml, 27:92
• (And whoever is stingy is stingy to the detriment of his own soul) – Surah Muhammad, 47:38
• (So whoever breaks his pledge only breaks it to the detriment of himself) – Surah Al-Fath, 48:10
• (And whoever earns sin only earns it against himself) – Surah An-Nisa, 4:111

These verses emphasize individual responsibility and the inevitable consequences in the clearest terms and strongest affirmations.
In short, your salvation on the Day of Resurrection is a personal project.

You will not be excused because of others’ shortcomings, the deviation of the famous or obscure, or the betrayal of those near or far. This life is your test alone. So, work for your own benefit, strive for your salvation, and aim to win Paradise.