What humans are like externally does not need explaining. With regard to the internal features of man Hazrat Ali(RD), has declared:
The description of this world is given below. When sperm enters the womb it is accompanied by Ruh-e-Jamadi (spirit that unites) which develops and brings the blood together, that forms the foetus. Ruh-e-Jamadi is also found in special stones like Aqeeq and Feroza. Just as some special people exhort Allah at all times, there are some special types of Aqeeq and Feroza which exhort Allah at all times. As Allah SWT has declared in the Holy Quran:
Thereafter, Ruh-e-Nabati (Botanical Spirit) enters and generates the growth of the blood. Ruh-e-Nabati also generates the growth of the blood. Ruh-e-Nabati is also found in trees as Allah SWT has declared in Surah Rahman.
After a period of six months Ruh-e-Haywani (animal spirit) enters the womb, as a result of which the embryo is able to make small movements. When the child is born, a human spirit is placed in the child's body, which is taken from Alam-e-Arwah, (the realm of spirits), Accompanying this human spirit are some invisible "assistant spirits" also. These assistant spirits are called LATAIFS, (plural), (Perceptive, Invisible Spiritual Bodies.) The Lataif (spiritual bodies are the receptive mediums through which knowledge wisdom and the lights of Allah SWT are attained, received and contemplated. This is so, as animals too possess fleshy hearts but do not possess the faculties found in humans. Hadith:
The Latifa-e-Qulb (1) is one of the Lataif's (spiritual body S.B.) it sits on the fleshy heart. It protects the heart and is the recipient of the "lights" of Allah SWT.
The second, Latifa-e-Ruh (2) (S.B.) is located on the right side inside the chest. Latifa-e-Akhfa (3) (S.B.) is in the centre of the chest. Latifa-e-Khafi (4) (S.B.) lies between the Latifa-e-Akhfa and Latifa-e-Ruh. Latifa-e-Sirri (5) (S.B.) lies between the Latifa-e-Qulb and Latifa-e-Akhfa. The Latifa-e-Anna (6) (S.B.) is located in the head, whilst Latifa-e-Nafs (7) (S.B.) lies at the naval point. These Lataif 's (S.B. 'S) exist inside every human being and they dwell at their respective places as mentioned above.
Just as the Ruh { soul cannot be seen by the naked eye, the Lataif cannot be seen by the naked eye. The Lataif exist and are found at their respective locations in the inner spiritual dimensions of human beings. Each Lataif has it's individual status and individual exhortation (Dhikr) of Allah SWT. As is stated in Hadith Qudsi:
When the Latifa-e-Nafs (S.B.) enters the human body brings along with it five vices, which dwell close to all the Lataif. Each Latifa (S.B.) has one vice attached to it as follows: Latifa-e-Qulb - Lust<P> Latifa-e-Ruh - .Anger and Tyranny<P> Latifa-e-Sirri - Desire, Want<P> Latifa-e-Khafi - Jealousy and Greed<P> Latifa-e-Akhfa- Pride and Arrogance<P>
These vices exist, their purpose is to influence and finally to take control over these spiritual bodies, and to lead them astray. Amongst the Lataif, the Latifa-e-Qulb and Latifa-e-Nafs are the most dominant.