To control the rebellious self, purifying the soul and strengthening faith is essential.
Controlling the rebellious self is one of humanity's great challenges, and this subject is clearly addressed in the Holy Quran. Allah, in Surah Ash-Shams, verse 8, states: 'And [by] the soul and He who proportioned it.' This indicates that Allah created the soul and balanced it. Then, in verse 9 of the same Surah, it is said: 'He has succeeded who purifies it.' This highlights that for controlling the rebellious self, purification and education of the soul are essential. The first step is to understand this self and its characteristics. In Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 68, Allah states: 'Indeed, We know what your breasts conceal.' Thus, an individual should engage in self-discovery and find the roots of their problems. Moreover, in Surah Yusuf, verse 53, Allah mentions: 'Indeed, the soul is ever commanding of evil,' indicating that the soul tends to inclined towards misdeeds. Therefore, one must continuously strive to strengthen faith and good actions. Prayer, fasting, and remembrance of Allah can be highly effective in this journey. By increasing one's connection with God and performing righteous deeds, an individual can overcome their self and guide it towards goodness.
And [by] the soul and He who proportioned it.
He has succeeded who purifies it.
Indeed, We know what your breasts conceal.
Indeed, the soul is ever commanding of evil.
In a distant time, there lived a man named Aref who was always striving to control his self. Aref realized that whenever he remembered God and sought help through prayer and supplication, he found a greater sense of peace. One day, he decided to dedicate an hour each day to worship and incorporated this habit into his life. As time passed, Aref felt that his self was gradually coming under control, and he was able to resist his temptations well.