Islamic Spirituality

The Qur’an and Sunnah both emphasize how consistent actions shape a person’s character, habits, and ultimate fate. Let us explore this concept:

In the model you referenced, pouring hot water into the same channels deepens them, making it difficult for water to flow elsewhere. Similarly, in Islam:

• Repeated actions create spiritual pathways in the soul (nafs) that either incline one towards good or evil.
• These pathways or “channels” in the soul represent entrenched habits that become the line of least resistance.

Key Evidence from the Qur’an:
Allah says:
“Nay, but what they used to do has covered their hearts with rust (Ran).”
(Surah Al-Mutaffifin 83:14)

• The term “Ran” refers to a “stain” or “rust” that develops over the heart as a result of repeated sinful actions.
• The more a person commits sinful acts, the more “rust” accumulates, covering the heart and preventing it from being receptive to truth and goodness.
• Like the channels formed in jelly, the habits of sin become entrenched, making it harder to break away and incline towards righteousness.

Just as repeated sin darkens the heart, consistent righteous deeds create positive pathways, habits, and inclinations that align the soul with the fitrah (natural disposition towards Allah).

The Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:

“When a servant commits a sin, a black dot is placed upon his heart. If he gives it up, seeks forgiveness, and repents, his heart will be polished clean. But if he repeats it, it will increase until it covers his heart completely.”
(Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 4244)

• This hadith mirrors the jelly model: repeated behavior strengthens habits.
• Sinful behavior deepens the negative grooves on the heart, while repentance and good deeds polish and realign the heart with Allah’s guidance.

The importance of consistency in Islam, especially in good deeds, highlights the need to form righteous habits and avoid negative channels of the soul.

The Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:

“The most beloved deeds to Allah are those that are consistent, even if they are small.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 6464)

This hadith demonstrates the following:

• Small, repeated actions gradually “etch” positive grooves into the soul.
• Just as deep channels in jelly resist change, consistent good habits make obedience to Allah the “line of least resistance” for the believer.

In Islamic thought, the nafs (self or soul) can be inclined towards good or evil depending on its conditioning:

• Nafs al-Ammarah (the commanding soul): Inclines towards evil due to unchecked habits and desires.
• Nafs al-Lawwama (the reproaching soul): Struggles against bad habits and sins, feeling guilt and remorse.
• Nafs al-Mutma’innah (the peaceful soul): Has achieved spiritual discipline and habitually aligns itself with Allah’s will.

The spiritual struggle (mujahadah) to retrain the nafs is akin to pouring hot water into new channels—overcoming old habits and establishing new, righteous ones.

Evidence:
Allah says:
“And as for those who strive hard for Our cause, We shall surely guide them to Our paths. Indeed, Allah is with those who do good.”
(Surah Al-Ankabut 29:69)

This verse emphasizes that striving (mujahadah) in developing righteous habits leads to divine guidance.

The concept of Tazkiyah (purification of the soul) directly relates to breaking harmful habits and forming positive ones. The Qur’an describes success as dependent upon purifying the soul:

“He has succeeded who purifies it (the soul), and he has failed who instills it with corruption.”
(Surah Ash-Shams 91:9-10)

• The process of breaking bad habits is spiritual cleansing, while developing good habits aligns the soul with its original state of fitrah.

Islam offers practical methods to re-train the soul and form righteous habits:

1. Salah (Prayer): Regular prayer five times a day conditions the soul to submit to Allah.
2. Istighfar (Seeking forgiveness): Regular repentance cleanses the heart of sinful “channels.”
3. Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah): Continuous remembrance strengthens spiritual inclinations.
4. Mujahadah (Struggle): Actively resisting sinful inclinations and striving to perform good deeds.
5. Company of the Righteous: Surrounding oneself with people of good habits strengthens positive behaviors.