[align=center]The Ruh (Soul)

The Ruh is the soul, and our knowledge of it is limited:
17:85 They ask thee concerning the Ruh. Say: "The Ruh (is) by command of my Lord: of knowledge it is only a little that is communicated to you, (O men!)"

The soul is the creation of Allah. It is blown into t=every human being when it is just a foetus of 120 days old and it departs from the body at death. It is the secret to life. There are four world that it must jorney though:
1. The womb, where the soul joins its body
2. This temporary world
3. The grave, 'Barzakh' period
4. The hereafter, the final destination of all human beings
When the soul is placed in a physical body, it is termed the Nafs. So when we refer to Nafs, we denote the union of the soul and the physical body. Thus, nafs is used to often refer to our desires or the core of our emotions. The nafs is our SELF.The word NAfs is udesed in a number of ways in the Qur'an, but all refer to the the soul with a body.



There are three states of Nafs:

Nafs Ammara bis-soo- The soul that dictates evil. This stage is when the person has no control of their desires and follows whatever evil urge he feels. He is the slave of evil and never satisfied. Ungrateful, hateful, and shrouded in darkness.

12:53 "Nor do I absolve my own self (of blame): the (human) soul is certainly prone to evil (nafs al-Ammara bis Su), unless my Lord do bestow His Mercy: but surely my Lord is Oft- forgiving, Most Merciful.

Nafs Al-Lawwama- the self-reproaching soul. This stage is when the person makes mistakes but continuously questions his actions and feels guilt. He is weak but he has faith. He struggles to control his desires and whims.

75:1 I do call to witness the Resurrection Day;
75:2 And I do call to witness the self-reproaching spirit: (Nafs Al-Lawwamal)

Why does Allah mention Nafs Al-Lawaama with The day of ressurection? If you think about it, both are like a court. In Nafs-Al-Lawwama we judge our deeds, and on the Day of resurrection, Allah will give us the final verdict on our deeds.

Nafs Al-Mutama'inna- Trhe satisfied soul. This is the noblests state. The satisfied soul finds its peace and consolation in the Qur'an, prayer, and the company of the righteous. The nafs al-mutamainna has suchj a deep conviction in Allah and the Last Day that it is never upset by the sorrows of this world.

89:27 (To the righteous soul will be said) "O (thou) soul, in (complete) rest and satisfaction!
89:28 "Come back thou to thy Lord,- well pleased (thyself), and well-pleasing unto Him!
89:29 "Enter thou, then, among My devotees!
89:30 "Yea, enter thou My Heaven!

I hope I have clarified the Islamic position.
Wasalaam[/align]