How many times is the word "نفس" (self/soul) mentioned in the Holy Quran, and what is its general meaning?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
The word "al-nafs" (soul/self) is mentioned 295 times in the Holy Quran in various forms, and it carries multiple meanings. It appears with the meaning of "spirit," as in the Almighty's saying: (It is Allah Who takes away the souls at the time of their death, and those that do not die, during their sleep). It also means "person," as in His saying: (Lest a soul should say: "Ah! My grief that I was undutiful to Allah"). And it can mean "the unknown" or "that which is hidden within," as in His saying: (You know what is in my nafs (self), and I do not know what is in Your nafs (Self)).
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/48860
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 48860
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy