() is an Arabic-Islamic term alluding to , meaning 'sanctification' or 'purification of the self'. This refers to the process of transforming the (carnal self or desires) from its state of self-centrality through various spiritual stages towards the level of purity and submission to the will of Allah. Its basis is in learning the shariah (Islamic religious law) and deeds from the known authentic (traditions and practices of the Islamic prophet Muhammad) and applying these to one's own life, resulting in spiritual awareness of Allah (being constantly aware of his presence, knowledge omniscience, along with being in constant remembrance or of him in thoughts and actions). is considered the highest level of (religious social responsibility), one of the three dimensions of Islam. The person who purifies themself is called a ().
, along with the related concepts of (self-development) and (training and education) does not limit itself to the conscious learning process. It is rather the task of giving form to the act of righteous living itself: treating every moment of life with remembering one's position in front of Allah.
Etymology
originally referred to pruning a plant—to remove what is harmful to its growth. When the term is applied to the human personality, it means to beautify it and remove from it all evil traces and spiritual diseases that are obstacles to experiencing Allah. In Islam, the ultimate objective of the religion and shariah (Islamic law), and the real purpose of raising prophets from among mankind, is performing and teaching .
The term encompasses two meanings: one is to cleanse and purify from adulterants, while the other is to improve and develop towards the height of perfection. Technically, it conveys the sense of checking oneself for erroneous tendencies and beliefs, turning them to the path of virtue and piety (fear of God's displeasure), and developing them to attain the stage of perfection.
The word (alms tax) comes from the same Arabic verbal root, since purifies an individual's wealth by recognition of Allah's right over a portion of it. It finds its origin in the Quranic command to: "Take (charity) from their property in order to purify and sanctify them" (: 103). Other similarly used words to the term are ('reform of the heart'), ('beautification'), ('purification'), ('purity'), ('pure/safe/undamaged heart') and lastly, (Sufism), which is an ideology rather than a term, mostly misinterpreted as the idea of sanctification in Islam.
In scripture
In Quran
The word is used in many places in the Qur'an. It is used 18 times in 15 verses of 11 ; in verses 129, 151, 174 of , in verses 77 and 164 of , the verse of 49, verse 103 of , verse 76 of , in the second verse of , verses 3 and 7 of , in verse 21 of , verse 9 of and in verse 18 of .
In hadith
The word is also found in a few hadith, also meaning to purify and sanctify.
Importance
In Islam, the soul is created devoid of traits except for spirituality love of Allah. As one progresses through life, they develop related to their lifestyle. The soul becomes accustomed to repeated behavior, which then determines actions. Noble faculties manifest moral and wise behavior, while evil faculties manifest immorality. These faculties determine the fate in the . Moral virtues bring eternal happiness and well-being (), while moral corruption leads to everlasting wretchedness. It is therefore necessary to purge blameworthy traits () before one can integrate ethical and moral virtues.
According to the , obtainment of in this life and the next is directly connected to . This is based on the Quranic verses 91:7–10, which illustrate that Allah created the human soul with both evil and good inclinations, and endowed man with the ability to distinguish between the two: eternal is achieved by choosing good in the struggle instead of evil and striving to make it prevail.
Similarly, Allah says in :
Thus, the only people who will be saved from punishment on the Day of Judgment are those possessing (, 'sound hearts'). The phrase ('sound') is related to the word , because "Islam" is moving towards that state of soundness.
Anas Karzoon offered the following definition of : "It is the purification of the soul from inclination towards evils and sins, and the development of its towards goodness, which leads to its uprightness and its reaching ." Attempts to obey God's commands are successful only when one is purified; then the soul can receive God's unlimited grace.