How to Discover My True Self?

The question, "How to discover my true self?" might initially seem like a psychological or philosophical inquiry. However, within the life-giving school of Islam and the teachings of the Holy Quran, the discovery of one's true self has profound divine and spiritual roots. In the Quranic worldview, the true self is not merely a collection of personality traits or individual talents; rather, it is the pure divine fitra (innate nature) that Allah has embedded in every human being. It is a pristine gem that may become covered by the dust of sins and worldly attachments. The path to discovering this self is, in essence, an inner journey to return to one's origin, to understand one's place in existence, and to grasp the sublime purpose of creation. This spiritual journey requires contemplation, self-refinement, and drawing closer to the Creator of existence, so that the veils between a person and their existential reality are lifted, and the light of the divine fitra becomes apparent. The Holy Quran does not consider humans to be aimless beings; it assigns to them a sublime purpose and destiny. In Surah Adh-Dhariyat (51:56), Allah explicitly states: "And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me." This verse is the fundamental key to understanding one's existential purpose and, consequently, discovering one's true self. "Worship" (ibadah) in this verse does not exclusively refer to performing outward rituals; it encompasses every thought, action, and intention that is in alignment with Allah's pleasure and commands. This expansive concept of worship guides human life in all its dimensions and imbues it with meaning. When an individual understands that their primary purpose is servitude to Allah and vicegerency (khilafah) on Earth—as indicated in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:30)—their life gains a divine direction, and this is where they begin to uncover the true dimensions of their being. Recognizing this purpose helps individuals utilize their talents and capacities towards fulfilling this higher objective, freeing them from heedlessness and meaninglessness. This deep understanding provides a foundation for building a firm and meaningful identity that transcends material and transient worldly attachments. Another crucial concept in this regard is fitra. In Surah Ar-Rum (30:30), we read: "So direct your face toward the religion, inclining to truth. [Adhere to] the fitra of Allah upon which He has created [all] people. No change should there be in the creation of Allah. That is the correct religion, but most of the people do not know." Fitra is the pure, God-seeking disposition inherent in the depths of every human being. This innate inclination towards truth, justice, beauty, perfection, and monotheism is an inseparable part of our true self. Our true self is this untouched innate nature and the yearning for perfection, truth, beauty, and justice. However, this fitra can become obscured over a lifetime by layers of heedlessness, sins, bad habits, negative environmental influences, and carnal temptations. Discovering the true self means removing these layers and returning to that original, pristine fitra; it means recalling and reviving what has been present in our being from the very beginning. The practical method for discovering and nurturing this true self is Tazkiyah al-Nafs, or the purification of the soul. The Quran places special emphasis on this subject. In Surah Ash-Shams (91:7-10), it states: "And [by] the soul and [by] Him who proportioned it and inspired it [with discernment of] its wickedness and its righteousness, he has succeeded who purifies it, and he has failed who corrupts it." Tazkiyah al-Nafs involves eradicating moral vices such as envy, arrogance, greed, miserliness, hypocrisy, and malice, and cultivating virtues like humility, contentment, courage, generosity, patience, gratitude, love, honesty, and trustworthiness. This process requires continuous effort, self-discipline, constant self-monitoring, and struggle against the commanding self (nafs al-ammarah). Tazkiyah al-Nafs not only purifies a person from sins and impurities but also actualizes their potential capacities for achieving human perfection. The tools for this purification of the soul, as indicated by the Quran, include: 1. Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah): Constant remembrance of Allah in every state purifies the heart and awakens a person from heedlessness. Obligatory and supererogatory prayers, recitation of the Quran, glorifications, and any form of remembering Allah serve as a bridge to connect with truth and know oneself. In Surah Ar-Ra'd (13:28), Allah says: "Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured." This inner peace is itself a sign of alignment with one's fitra and helps a person in the path of discovering their true self. 2. Tafakkur and Tadabbur (Reflection and Contemplation): Pondering the creation of the heavens and the earth, one's own existence, and the verses of the Quran. Surah Al-Imran (3:191) praises those who reflect upon creation. This deep contemplation helps individuals find their place in the cosmic order and realize the Creator's magnificence, thereby better understanding themselves in their role as servants and vicegerents of Allah. True self-knowledge emerges from a profound understanding of existence and its Creator, as the human being is a mirror reflecting divine attributes. 3. Muhasabat al-Nafs (Self-Accountability): In Surah Al-Hashr (59:18), Allah says: "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." This verse emphasizes the importance of self-evaluation and accountability for one's actions. Regularly reviewing daily actions, intentions, and behaviors, and measuring them against divine standards, helps individuals identify their weaknesses and strive to rectify them. This self-awareness is a crucial step in the path of discovering the true self and spiritual growth, leading to greater responsibility. 4. Amal Saleh (Good Deeds) and Service to Creation: Through serving others and performing virtuous acts, humans achieve perfection and unveil hidden dimensions of their being. The Quran repeatedly emphasizes the importance of good deeds alongside faith. Helping the needy, showing kindness to parents, respecting the rights of others, honesty, and trustworthiness are all examples of good deeds that polish the soul and bring a person closer to their pure fitra. These actions not only benefit society but also enlighten the human heart and align it with the source of existence. Ultimately, discovering the true self in the Quran is not a destination but a continuous, dynamic journey. This path is the path of drawing closer to Allah. The closer one gets to Allah, the more one knows oneself and better understands their existential dimensions. This knowledge grants profound insight, peace, and purpose, which manifest in both this worldly life and the hereafter. Our true self is that divine spirit breathed into the human form, which, through sincere servitude, becomes a manifestation of divine attributes on Earth and attains true felicity. This is a continuous process of growth, learning, and purification, ultimately leading to alignment with the Divine Will and the attainment of the highest human station.