Identification of Nafs and Its Training: A Comparative Study of Mevlana Rumi and Hadrat Sultan Bahu’s Sayings

نفس کی پہچان اورتربیتِ نفس :مولانا رومیؒ اور حضرت سلطان باہوؒ کے افکار کا تقابلی مطالعہ

Abstract

Sufism has been a path of peace in every age. This is because Sufism is founded on the training and purification of the self (nafs). A Sufi is one who, after passing through the stages of recognizing and disciplining the self, gains control over it. Therefore, the understanding and training of the self (nafs) has always been among the most important subjects of Sufism, and Sufi masters in every era have emphasized this teaching. Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi (RA) and Hadrat Sultan Bahu (RA) are two great names in the world of Sufism. Both saints rendered their services in their respective times and regions, and compiled poetic and prose works to guide seekers of truth. The present article offers a brief comparative study of the ideas of these two spirituals masters with reference to the recognition and training of the “nafs”.