How Do I Find the Root of My Sins?

The journey to discovering the roots of one's sins is a profound introspection into our very being, and the rich teachings of the Holy Quran serve as an unparalleled guide on this divine path. The Quran, with its compassionate and wise tone, teaches us that sin is not merely an undesirable action but a symptom of a spiritual and moral ailment whose underlying cause must be uncovered. To understand the roots of sin, we must first delve into the nature of human existence, internal and external temptations, and environmental influences from a Quranic perspective. The Quran categorizes the human soul (nafs) into three main types, which are crucial for understanding the roots of sin. The first, and perhaps most significant, is the 'Nafs al-Ammarah bis-Su'' (the soul that incites to evil), as mentioned in Surah Yusuf, verse 53: "Indeed, the soul is a persistent inciter of evil, except for what my Lord has mercy upon." This soul desires fleeting pleasures, self-interest, greed, and lust, and it can be the root of many of our sins. When we find ourselves uncontrollably drawn towards wrong actions, it is likely this inciting soul that has taken control. Second is the 'Nafs al-Lawwamah' (the blaming soul), the awakened conscience that reproaches a person after committing a sin and brings remorse, as sworn by in Surah Al-Qiyamah, verse 2: "And I swear by the blaming soul." This soul is a sign of the living divine nature within us and guides us towards repentance and reform. Finally, there is the 'Nafs al-Mutma'innah' (the tranquil soul), referred to in Surah Al-Fajr, verses 27 and 28: "O tranquil soul, return to your Lord, well-pleased and pleasing [to Him]." This soul has attained peace and assurance, finding contentment only in its Lord. Therefore, one of the primary roots of sin is the dominance of the 'Nafs al-Ammarah' over the 'Nafs al-Lawwamah' and 'Nafs al-Mutma'innah.' Another deep root of sin from a Quranic viewpoint is 'Ghaflah' (heedlessness or forgetfulness). Ghaflah means forgetting God, the purpose of creation, and the Day of Judgment. The Holy Quran repeatedly warns humanity against heedlessness. When a person becomes heedless of God, the worldly life and its transient pleasures appear great in their eyes, diverting them from the right path. Surah Al-A'raf, verse 179, describes those who use their hearts, eyes, and ears for falsehood and are heedless of God: "And We have certainly created for Hell many of the jinn and mankind. They have hearts with which they do not understand, and they have eyes with which they do not see, and they have ears with which they do not hear. Those are like livestock; rather, they are more astray. It is they who are the heedless." This heedlessness sets the stage for Satan's temptations. 'Arrogance and Pride' (Kibr) are also ancient and dangerous roots of sin, evident even in the story of Iblis. Arrogance leads a person to consider themselves superior to others or even above obedience to God, thus refusing to accept the truth. Satan refused to prostrate before Adam due to arrogance and was expelled. In Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 34, we read: "And [mention] when We said to the angels, 'Prostrate before Adam'; so they prostrated, except for Iblis. He refused and was arrogant and became of the disbelievers." If our sins involve belittling others, not accepting advice, or rebelling against divine commands, their root must be sought in pride. The role of 'Satan' as an external tempter is also emphasized in the Quran. Satan invites humans to sin through whispers (waswas) and beautifies evil, rather than forcing them. Surah An-Nas, verses 1 to 6, clearly explain this role: "Say, 'I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind, The Sovereign of mankind, The God of mankind, From the evil of the retreating whisperer - Who whispers into the chests of mankind - From among the jinn and mankind.'" Satan infiltrates through our desires and worldly passions. So, if we feel a sudden or irrational urge to commit a sin, it could be from Satanic whispers. 'Ignorance' (Jahl) can also be a root cause of sins. Sometimes a person commits errors due to a lack of knowledge about divine laws or the consequences of sins. The Quran commands believers to seek knowledge and be aware. Of course, blameworthy ignorance (ignorance that could have been removed but wasn't) is itself a sin. 'Excessive attachment to worldly life' and its material pleasures is another fundamental root of sin. When a person makes this world their ultimate goal, they become willing to commit any sin to achieve it, from injustice and theft to lying and deception. In Surah Al-Hadid, verse 20, the Quran describes worldly life as fleeting and deceptive: "Know that the life of this world is only play and amusement, pomp and mutual boasting in [worldly] possessions and children." This verse warns us that excessive attachment to the world can divert us from our true purpose. Quranic Solutions for Discovering and Eradicating Sins: 1. Self-Accountability (Muhasabah al-Nafs): The first step to identifying roots is honest self-reflection. The Quran invites us to ponder our deeds: "O you who have believed, fear Allah and let every soul look to what it has put forth for tomorrow - and fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do" (Al-Hashr/18). Every night before sleep or at a specific time, review your actions and intentions and ask: Why did I commit this sin? What motivated me towards it? Was it out of heedlessness? Greed? Envy? Or pride? This deep self-questioning gradually reveals the roots. 2. Remembrance of Allah (Dhikr): Constant remembrance of God is an antidote to heedlessness and a weapon against satanic whispers. When the heart and tongue are engaged in remembering God, there is no room for temptation. "Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured" (Ar-Ra'd/28). The five daily prayers, Quranic recitation, the remembrance of 'La ilaha illa Allah' (There is no god but Allah), and sending blessings upon the Prophet (peace be upon him) all help us dry up the root of heedlessness and make God's presence more prominent in our lives. 3. Continuous Repentance (Tawbah) and Seeking Forgiveness (Istighfar): Tawbah is a sincere return to God. The Quran states: "O you who have believed, repent to Allah with sincere repentance" (At-Tahrim/8). Sincere repentance not only brings regret for the sin but also a firm resolve to abandon it in the future and to make amends. Continuous seeking of forgiveness helps a person break free from the chains of sin and open the doors of divine mercy. This constant seeking of forgiveness allows us to quickly come to our senses and return to God whenever a sin occurs, and this repeated return weakens the roots of sin. 4. Contemplation (Tafakkur) on Divine Verses and Consequences of Sins: The Quran invites us to reflect on creation, the Hereafter, and the fate of past nations. "Then do they not reflect upon the Quran?" (Muhammad/24). When a person contemplates the spiritual and worldly consequences of sins, they gain more motivation to abandon them. Observing the lives and fates of those who deviated from the right path serves as a lesson that weakens the roots of greed and lust in a person. 5. Seeking Knowledge (Talab al-Ilm): Understanding divine laws, their philosophy, and knowing the attributes of God strengthens faith and protects a person from ignorance, which itself is a precursor to sin. "Only those who have knowledge among His servants fear Allah" (Fatir/28). The more a person becomes aware of God's greatness and wisdom, the less inclined they are to disobey Him. 6. Changing Environment and Companions: The Quran highlights the impact of companionship. "And the Day the wrongdoer will bite on his hands he will say, 'Oh, I wish I had taken with the Messenger a way.'" (Al-Furqan/27). Sometimes the root of our sins lies in the environment we are in or the friends we associate with. Avoiding unhealthy environments and people, and seeking the company of the righteous, can greatly help in eradicating many sins. 7. Controlling Desires and Self-Discipline (Tarbiya al-Nafs): The Quran emphasizes controlling the self and struggling against carnal desires. Fasting is a practice for controlling desires and strengthening willpower. "And do not follow [personal] inclination, for it will lead you astray from the way of Allah" (Sad/26). Through practice and perseverance, we can overcome our 'Nafs al-Ammarah' and dry up the roots of sin from within our hearts and souls. In summary, finding the roots of sin requires deep self-knowledge, acknowledging weaknesses, and relying on Quranic teachings. By self-accounting, constant remembrance of God, repentance and seeking forgiveness, seeking knowledge, and improving our living environment, we can not only discover the roots of sin but also eradicate them forever from our hearts and souls, stepping towards a pure and sanctified life—a life that brings divine pleasure and guides us to the tranquil soul.