What is the difference between the soul (nafs) and the personality (shakhsiyyah), and are they one and the same?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
The self (nafs) is the soul that manages the body, while personality is the comprehensive concept of a human being's essence, encompassing all their inclinations, perceptions, thoughts, beliefs, and characteristics. The term "nafs" may also be metaphorically applied to the entire person, and it is common for both terms to be used with non-original meanings.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Ftawy
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- 82726
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- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Read the full answer on Ftawy