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The Anatomy of Struggle against the Self
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Mhedayati Mhedayati *   |
| Assistant Professor, Department of Islamic Ethics, Islamic Maaref University, Qom, Iran. |
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Abstract: (172 Views) |
| The concept of struggle against the self (jihād al nafs) is a frequently used term in religious ethics, particularly within the framework of mystical ethics influenced by mysticism. Many works on mystical ethics dedicate to seperated and extensive chapters about this concept, and it has also become a prominent theme within the corpus of transmitted ethical narrations. The present study aims to introduce the operational components of the struggle against the self as parts of a coherent structure through a descriptive–analytical method. The paper seeks to explain this inner struggle-referred to in some narrations as the greater jihad (al jihād al akbar)-which is considered more significant than the lesser jihad, namely armed struggle against an external enemy and as well to examine its significant components. The research examines key questions such as: What is the objective of this struggle? What outcomes and gains could be achieved? Who is the adversary in this battle? What is the significance and status of such a struggle? Where does the command and strategic planning originate? What tools and weapons are involved? Is this jihad continuous, or does it occur during specific periods? By analyzing these elements, the study reveals the structural relationships among the various aspects of this inner struggle and clarifies its causes, processes, and consequences. |
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| Keywords: Struggle against the Self, Greater Jihad, Asceticism, Inclination, Desire, Pleasure, Passion. |
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Full-Text [PDF 442 kb]
(39 Downloads)
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Type of Study: theoretic |
Subject:
Applied ethics
Received: 2025/04/17 | Accepted: 2025/09/13 | Published: 2025/10/2
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