The three paths of the mind

It is important to know about the mind and understand its functions and tendencies as much as it is about us who live in the physical world. In its absence, there is a state of not being able to control thoughts, feelings and behavior and it affects our social life negatively. Although many ideas and myths about the mind are popular today, what the Holy Qur’an says about the mind is remarkable and helps us to live under its control.

The Qur’anic verse that prompts us to think about ourselves, which naturally includes the mind, is memorable at this time: “There are many proofs in the earth for the firm believers. You have yourself. And yet do you not see and understand it?” (51:20,21) One Being; Three adjectives. This is the picture of the mind that the Qur’an gives, although there is room for many opinions. Leaving the details to the human mind, one can understand in which of the three attributes one’s mind dwells, and how one attains peace, tranquility and happiness through it.

1. An attribute of the mind described in the Qur’an is the mind that leads to evil or nafsul ammara. In Surat Yusuf, King Abdulaziz’s wife said: ‘I do not claim that my mind is flawless. Indeed, it is the human mind that prompts evil. Except those whom my Lord has blessed. My Lord is Most Forgiving and Most Merciful; Sure.” (Yusuf-53) This is the worst condition of human souls. The devil always urges him to do so and becomes his companion.
2. Second described, the guilty mind: When dealing with the ‘nafsu ammaratu bisuil’ (evil mind), it is the mind in a state where after committing any sin the person who committed it feels guilty, repentant and afraid of himself. Humans are not infallible angels. It is a mind that hates wrongdoing and wrongdoing. The Qur’an says: I swear by a guilty conscience (Qiyamah 75:2). A mind that swings between good and evil.
3. The third epithet given to the mind: the mind at peace or annafsul mutma’inna. This is the mind that fully accepts Allah as Lord, Islam as religion and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as Prophet. No other vision is acceptable to such minds. That mind will be at peace at the time of death and in the Hereafter. The Qur’an says: Oh peaced soul. Return to your Lord contented and satisfied. (Al Fajr 28,29)

Those who find peace in material things
The Qur’an also mentions such people and gives them a severe warning: “Those who do not expect to meet Us, those who are satisfied with the life of this world, who find peace in it, and those who are heedless of Our precepts – their abode is Hell. It is a reward for their hard work. ” (Yunus 7,8)

Through these adjectives given by the Qur’an about the mind, we get a tool to understand ourselves. Anayasena can easily understand where his mind is at with this tool. When the mind slips, Islam recognizes the possibility of it as human beings and the Prophet assured that there is an opportunity to repent even if the sins are committed to heaven, but there are many verses in the Qur’an that remind us that the mind should deal with the third type.

“……Verily, Allah knows best the dispositions. (Almaida 7)
‘…….He is with you wherever you are. Allah is All-Seeing of what you do. (Al-Hadid 4)
‘There is no human being in this world without a Watcher.’ (Attariq 4)

There is no doubt that the sense of having an overseer inspires the human mind to strive for goodness. It is the nature of our mind to dwell on any of the thoughts described above. In relation to this, the third is to have a good mind, if one succeeds. For that, it is necessary to remember Allah abundantly, to worship Him alone, to follow the way of the Prophet, to reject man-made doctrines, and to treat people in a good manner. That is the simple matter of eternal peace and happiness in this world and in the afterlife.