The Difference Between Nafs and Ruh According to the Qur'an and Hadith

One of the profound questions in human life is: What are Nafs (نفس) and Ruh (روح), and what is the difference between them? The Qur'an and Hadith mention these two concepts in various contexts, but their nature, origin, and functions are different. In this article, we will present the fundamental differences between Nafs and Ruh based on the Qur’an and authentic Hadith.

What is Nafs?

The word Nafs refers to the soul, self, desire, or consciousness. In the Qur’an, it is used in different contexts such as:

Nafs al-Ammarah – the soul that incites to evil

Nafs al-Lawwama – the self-reproaching soul

Nafs al-Mutma’innah – the peaceful and content soul

Reference: “Indeed, the Nafs is ever inclined to evil…”(Surah Yusuf, 12:53)

Summary: Nafs is the inner self of a person that represents his or her desires, greed, lust, anger, jealousy, moral tendencies, and self-identity.

What is Ruh?

Ruh is the divine soul or spirit that Allah breathes into the human body. It is a special and mysterious creation of Allah. Through the Ruh, humans become alive and capable of thought.

Reference: “They ask you concerning the Ruh. Say: The Ruh is from the command of my Lord, and you (mankind) have been given but little knowledge thereof.”

(Surah Al-Isra, 17:85)

Summary: Ruh is a pure divine element granted by Allah. When it enters the body, it gives life and elevates the human being among the noblest of all creations.

Differences Between Nafs and Ruh:

 

Aspect                         Nafs (Soul/Self)                     Ruh (Spirit)    

Experiences death         Yes                                             No    

Goes to Paradise         Yes                                             No direct evidence that Ruh goes to Paradise    

Can be divided         Yes                                             No    

Sleeps                         Yes                                             No    

Falls into drowsiness Yes                                             No    

Gives birth                 Yes                                             No    

Is born                         Yes                                             No    

Can indulge in pleasure Yes                                             No    

Has no creative power Yes                                             Ruh has creative power    

Found everywhere          Yes                                             Ruh is only found in jinn and humans    

Represents attribute (Sifat) Yes                                     Ruh represents essence (Zaat)    

Weak                                 Yes                                     Powerful    

Not guarded by angels         Yes                                     Angels guard when Ruh awakens    

Experiences reward and 

punishment of Paradise/Hell Yes                                     Ruh does not    

Suffers punishment 

in the grave                         Yes                                     Ruh does not    

When purified                                                                     Ruh emerges from Nafs    

Undergoes evolution                        Yes                     Ruh does not evolve    

Subject to resurrection (Qiyamah)         Yes                     Ruh is not    

Ruh is hidden within Nafs like a seed Yes                     Nafs is not within Ruh    

Revolves in the cycle of birth                 Yes                     Ruh does not revolve in birth cycles    

Nafs wears the dress of Jinn and Insan Ruh wears the dress of Bashar (Qur’an 19:17)    

Plural: Anfus Ruh has no plural form, it remains singular  

Instruction from Hadith:

The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “The Ruh is blown into the body after 40, 40, 40 days (i.e., 120 days). Then the angel comes and writes his sustenance, deeds, lifespan, and destiny.”

(Sahih Muslim)

This Hadith shows that the Ruh is a sacred creation that enters the body at the beginning of life and returns to Allah at the time of death.

Conclusion:

The Ruh is a divine, mysterious power from Allah that gives life to the human body. The Nafs is the internal self of a human being, constantly struggling between good and evil. According to the Qur’an and Hadith, there is a clear distinction between the two. Understanding and controlling both is essential for spiritual purification in Islam.

The word "Nafs" appears approximately 295 times in the Qur’an. Through Nafs, Allah conveys meanings related to the soul, consciousness, desire, and moral traits. Purification of the Nafs is considered a key spiritual practice in Islam.