Nafs Al-Ammarah (The Commanding Self) - With Prof Mehmet Ozalp

What drives our thoughts, emotions, habits, and behaviours? In this new series, Prof Mehmet Ozalp and Dr Zuleyha Keskin explore the classical Islamic concept of the seven levels of the nafs (self), beginning with the first and lowest level: Nafs al-Ammarah (the Commanding Self). Drawing on Islamic scholarship, spirituality, and practical examples from everyday life, this discussion examines how the nafs influences our actions, why we struggle with certain habits, and how spiritual growth begins. 📌 Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 00:58 What is the nafs? 02:36 Introduction to Nafs al-Ammarah 08:30 Habit change and the different levels of the nafs 09:38 Signs of Nafs al-Ammarah 17:43 Hadith on anger and emotional dysregulation 21:22 The relationship between iman and Nafs al-Ammarah 25:28 How do you recognise that you are coming out of Nafs al-Ammarah? This episode is part of our series on The 7 Levels of the Nafs, exploring the journey of spiritual purification and inner transformation in Islam.