There are numerous meanings behind this title and images that pop out in the mind, but I will describe the meaning that stands out the most to me.
The “eye” of any storm is always peaceful. A storm rages and rebounds between calmness and severe thunder, lightning, and rain. In the case of a hurricane, there are violent winds and ocean waves that have the ability to destroy. The events of our daily lives cause us to recoil between calmness and complete anxiety and rage. This rage can eventually create our downfall. Thus, the soul of a human is similar to the storm because it is continually bouncing between peace and strife. The goal is to permanently break free from the storm, for surely a believer is always content–even during times of tribulation.
The eye of the storm is like the fitra of the human being. The fitra is the natural inclination within every human to believe in the Oneness of God, and thus we all have the ability to believe in Him and do good things. There is a hadith that says, “Every child is born according to fitra. Then its parents make it into a Christian, a Jew, or a Zoroastrian.” The fitra is like the “eye” of the storm because it is pure and free from the corruption of the storm. The purpose of life is to expand and nourish the eye so that it overtakes the storm or to break completely free from the storm and remain outside of it forever. The fitra helps us to develop ourselves into Muhsineen (those who act beautifully, perfectly)–the highest spiritual level of a Muslim. Once you are a Muhsin, YOU control the storm, instead of IT controlling you. When strife comes to greet you, the Muhsin greets it with open arms because he/she has realized that it is actually a blessing, a purification, and a test from Allah. Who can refuse a gift from Him, except one who is ignorant? InshAllah we will all leave this world as Muhsineen. Ameen.
Three types of souls (The Arabic terms come directly from the Qur’an)
1. Soul that commands to evil (Nafs Al-Ammara)
This soul is obedient solely to the desires of the flesh, whether these desires are in accordance to God’s laws or not. It seeks instant gratification. These souls are heedless of God.
2. Blameworthy soul-(Nafs Al-Lawwama)
This soul obeys the desires of the flesh, but then feels guilty. It rebounds between peace and strife (just like my description of the “soulstorm”). These people struggle on the path to God.
3. Soul at peace-(Nafs al Mutma’inna)
This soul only desires God. It obeys Him and does so willingly and enthusiastically. This person is willing to sacrifice the desires of his/her flesh for the sake of God. But then again, these sacrifices are actually what they want because…their only happiness is in pleasing God. So in the end, you win!
The three types of souls match up with the three types of hearts. I found a good article on the three types of human hearts: http://www.jannah.org/articles/purific3.html.
Peace…and may the eye (the good one) be with you! :)
OMG. You should read Plato….the 3 parts of the soul are very Islamic and exactly like what you wrote about above.
BTW, after reading that explanation, I like this name better than the other one =)
LOL. Thank you, yaay I’m glad you like the name. =) Yah, google just revealed to me that Plato was the guy who discussed the Id, the Ego, and the Superego that i learned in psych. It also matches up with the body (jism), ego (nafs), and spirit (ruh) in Islam.
Hmmmm, I sense a great semester ahead. Philosophy + Amina = great conversation. :)
actually, wasnt it freud who talked about the id, the ego, and the superego?
Maybe they both did.