Qur'anic Studies 1: 6. THE MEANINGS OF النَّفْس (NAFS, SPIRIT) IN THE VERSES OF THE QUR’ĀN
6. THE MEANINGS OF النَّفْس ( NAFS , SPIRIT) IN THE VERSES OF THE QUR’ĀN The term نَفْس ( nafs ) in Arabic language is originally the coming out of نَسِيْم ( nas ī m , i.e ., breath of air, fresh air; wind, breeze), and from it we have the term التَّنَفُّس ( al-tanaffus ), i.e ., inhaling and exhaling breath, respiration. It has many meanings, among which are: soul; psyche; spirit; mind; animate being, human being, living entity, life-essence, person, individual; inclination, liking, appetite, desire; personal identity, and self (in the sense of personal identity).” [1] The term nafs and its derivatives are mentioned 295 times in the Qur’ān [2] with various meanings according to the contexts, six meanings mentioned by Muqātil, al-‘Askarī, and Hārūn ibn Mūsá, eight according to Ibn al-Jawzī, namely, آدم (Adam), الأم (the Mother), الجماعة (the Group), الأهل (the Relatives), أهل الدين (the co-religionists), الإنسان (the human beings), البعض (some people), and النفس بعي...