The Spirit of Freedom

Righteousness is not simply to do good; it is the endeavor of longing to achieve the greater good in all of creation. It is a will that arises from the depths of the soul, develops its strength with truthfulness and sincerity, and with the virtue of Mujahada (striving), sprouts into action in the realm of creation. “I only intend reform as much as I am able. And my success is not but through Allah. Upon Him I have relied, and to Him I shall return” (11:88).

In this context, the value of freedom finds its essence and reason. It is not found in unstringing lowly desires. Freedom is the value with which human dignity and nature is honored and morality is preserved. Freedom is to liberate the right of one’s self to choose the path of good, to liberate the soul from the chains of lusts and whims. Freedom is to say “no” to injustice and oppression, to say “no” to corruption and mischief. Freedom is the virtue that stands and struggles until goodness is re-established among creation. “And cause not corruption upon the earth after its reformation. And invoke Him in fear and aspiration. Indeed, the mercy of Allah is near to the doers of good” (7:56). Such a great mission was led by the prophets (pbut). They strove to deliver people from the bondage of other people and the bondage of lowly desires and addictions. They (pbut) elevated people to a place of honor and dignity. “Verily the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous among you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well-acquainted (with all things)” (49:13). “Those were the ones upon whom Allah bestowed favor from among the prophets of the descendants of Adam, and of those We carried [in the ship] with Noah, and of the descendants of Abraham and Israel, and of those whom We guided and chose. When the verses of the Most Merciful were recited to them, they fell in prostration, weeping” (19:58).

The major source of mischief is when freedom is thought to be acting upon whatever one’s whims dictate. But the Nafs is naturally blind, in need of a guide to illuminate for it the path that is right. Accustomed to its blindness and deluded by the darkness of the whims, one may easily dive into the stormy ocean of the life of the world. Such a parable is described in the Quran: “Or [they are] like darkness within an unfathomable sea which is covered by waves, upon which are waves, over which are clouds - darkness, one above another. When one puts out his hand [therein], he can hardly see it. And he to whom Allah has not granted light, for him there is no light” (24:40). The clouds in the ayah represent crooked beliefs and deviated concepts of conduct. As for the waves, they represent the powers which drive the Nafs. As long as these powers are not enlightened with the light of guidance, darkness will reign over the realm of life – resulting in a structure rejecting morality and causing corruption and mischief everywhere. “But there came after them successors who neglected prayer and pursued desires. So, they are going to meet evil“ (19:59).

The four powers which drive the Nafs are:

1. Intellectual power, with which man conceives, thinks and chooses.

2. Anger power that leads to the actions of beasts: anger, enmity and hurting others.

3. The power of desires that acts to satisfy the urge to eat and sexual appetite.

4. The evil power, which uses plotting, cheating, betraying, deceiving, etc., to get to what the whims desire.

In order to valorize freedom as the virtue leading to the establishment of goodness everywhere, the fight should start with the Nafs. The Prophet (pbuh) said: “The fighter against disbelief is he who fights against his own ego in obeying God.” Sufyan al-Thawri said: "I never dealt with anything stronger against me than my own ego; it was one time with me, and one time against me." Yahya ibn Mu`adh al-Razi said: "Fight against your ego with the four swords of training: eat little, sleep little, speak little, and be patient when people harm you. Then, the ego will walk the paths of obedience, like a fleeing horseman in the field of battle.”

O, Allah! Help us to be free!