What is the difference between "hawa" (caprice/whim) and "nafs" (soul/self), and which of them has a stronger influence and whispers more intensely to a person?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
The difference between 'hawa' (inclination/desire) and 'nafs' (self/soul) is that 'hawa' is what a person desires, wishes for, and inclines towards, be it good or evil. As for 'nafs', it refers to the spirit and the entire being of a person; it is the source of 'hawa'. If the 'nafs' is tranquil, its 'hawa' will follow the . But if it incites evil, its 'hawa' will be bad and contrary to the Sharia. The 'nafs' is more dangerous to its owner if it incites evil, as Al-Ghazali quoted from the wise: "Man's enemies are three: his worldly life, his devil, and his self (nafs)."
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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