The First Source—the Self That Incites to Evil — Essence of Islam Vol. 3

14 Sep, 2026 Essence of Islam 0

Essence of Islam Book Cover by Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (AS)

Introduction

In this discourse from Essence of Islam (Volume 3), Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (AS), the Promised Messiah and Mahdi, expounds upon The First Source—the Self That Incites to Evil, presenting profound spiritual insights and scriptural verities.

Book Series: Essence of Islam (Volume 3)
Author: Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian (AS)
Section: Part 1: Natural, Moral and Spiritual States of Man
Navigation: Book Table of Contents | « Previous: The Three Human States | Next: The Second Source: The Self-Reproaching Self »

NATURAL, MORAL AND SPIRITUAL
STATES OF MAN The Holy Qur’an has bestowed a singular favour on the world by distinguishing between the natural state of man and his high moral qualities. It does not rest content with transporting man from the natural state to high moral qualities, but it further opens the doors to pure insight which lead to the stage of spiritual states. Indeed, it has helped millions of people reach that stage.
[Islami Usul ki Philosophy, Ruhani Khaza’in, vol. 10, pp. 367-368]
[Essence of Islam, Vol. 3, p. 1]

The Three Human States The first question is about the distinction between the natural, moral and spiritual states of man. The Holy Qur’an has so distinguished between them that it has indicated three separate sources for each of them. In other words, it has pointed out the three springs from which these states respectively flow. The first spring, which is the source of all natural states, is designated by the Holy Qur’an as Nafs-e-Ammarah [the self that incites to evil], as it says: 1

This means that it is a characteristic of Nafs-e-Ammarah that it incites man to evil—which is contrary to his excellence, and goes against his moral condition—and seeks to lead him to undesirable and sinful ways. Thus, to be drawn towards intemperance and evil is the natural state which dominates man until the moral state takes over and he begins to be guided by reason and understanding. Until that happens, he continues to follow his natural instincts in eating, drinking, sleeping, walking, anger and emotion etc. When, under the direction of reason and understanding, he begins to control his natural states and creates a balance, it is at this point that the three states cease to be natural and come to be known as moral, as we shall elaborate later.
[Essence of Islam, Vol. 3]
[Essence of Islam, Vol. 3, p. 1]

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Introduction