The Ego’s Spoiledness and Ignorance
In Sufi upbringing, the ego (nafs) is likened to a short-sighted child who constantly wants games and entertainment, or a wild animal, prone to comfort and sin. When a person compromises with their desires and whims, the nafs immediately becomes spoiled and seizes control of willpower. Abdülkadir Geylani (q.s.) warns in a striking manner that one must never be lenient with the ego: “It is an evil slave; it only obeys force. Do not show it the whiteness of your teeth, display majesty when its eyes are open.” Smiling at the ego means allowing it to become lazy and drag its owner into the abyss.
The Sword of Tawhid and the Verse of Struggle
The way to control the nafs and make it obedient to Divine commands is through uncompromising discipline (mujahada) and a firm belief. “Strike your nafs with the sword of tawhid. Wear armor of success for its reformation. Try to lay that nafs low with the verse of mujahada. Above all, do not remove the fear of piety from it.” A person must constantly confront their egoistic desires with the belief in Tawhid; they should use the awareness “My Lord does not want this” like a spear. The endless demands of the nafs must be broken through little eating, little sleeping and constant worship (the stick), and its false freedom constricted.
Becoming an Obedient Steed and Absolute Freedom
After a relentless struggle, the ego eventually gives in, abandons its rebelliousness, and reaches the station of “mutmainne” (tranquility). That wild enemy who used to tempt the servant into sin transforms into a tamed noble steed. “Once you have brought your nafs to this state, it becomes possible to traverse seas, oceans, and lands on its back. God takes pride in anyone who brings their nafs to this state.” The servant who makes his ego a steed now soars freely through the boundless horizons of the spiritual realms on its back. True freedom is being absolutely subservient to Allah by breaking the shackles of the ego.