Tazkiya: becoming a better human being

Tazkiya (purification of the soul), is an Islamic concept concerning the development of a person into a successful and responsible being, by accepting the purposes for his life and becoming able and willing to serve God and humanity. Scant attention is paid to its importance and it is rarely highlighted, even in education, solely designed to develop the human character. However, the importance of tazkiya is evident from Quranic verses and from examples shown in the life of our Prophet, Mohammad, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him.

Before we go through some of these Quranic verses, let us remember that the construction of our being embodies three elements: 1-intelligence, 2-body, 3-soul, all three of which are obviously necessary in the making of a perfect human being.

The intelligence of a person is known from his work and his engagement and productive contribution to the affairs of human society.

The body is the embodiment of a person as a whole, housing his intelligence and soul.

The soul of a person is manifested by his life which makes him a living being, a live character in this world. However, there is another aspect to our life, other than just that of life and death and that is the life present in our character and the manner in which we live our life.

If a person loses his soul he loses all meaning and purpose in his life. To highlight this point the Quran says in Surah 8 verse 24: ‘Believers! Respond to Allah and to the Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you life. Know well that Allah stands between a person and his heart and it is to Him that all of you shall be mustered’.

Life giving teachings and life creating purposes come from God. Allah is most merciful to His creation and in particular to human beings, for whose benefit he sent down His Guidance so that people can live blissful lives. The Quran highlights this point by saying: ‘We did not reveal the Quran to you to cause you distress. It is only a reminder for him who fears Allah. A revelation from Him Who created the earth and the high heavens’. Surah 20 Verse 2-4

Tazkiya concerns the purification of the human soul. Its purpose is to introduce importance and meaning into the lives of individuals and to further develop their characters. When the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Mohammad, there were four verses, in separate places, which highlighted the purpose of the mission of the Prophet to people. In three of them  tazkiyah is mentioned. The Prophet Abraham, after building the structure of Ka`bah, made dua (prayer) to Allah saying: ‘Our Lord! Raise us in the midst of our offspring a messenger from among them who shall recite to them Your verses and instruct them in the Book and in Wisdom and purify their lives (tazkiya). Verily You are the Most Mighty, the Most Wise’. Surah 2 Verse 129

However, when Allah Himself confirmed the purpose of the mission of the prophet, He said: ‘Surely Allah conferred a great favour on the believers when He raised from among them a Messenger to recite to them His Signs, and to purify them and to teach them the Book and the Wisdom. For before that they were in manifest error’. Surah 3 verse 164

A similar verse was also revealed in the Surah Al-Jumuah (S23) saying: ‘He it is Who has sent to the illiterates a Messenger from among themselves, one who recites to them His verses, purifies their lives and imparts to them the Book and the Wisdom although before that they were in utter error’. 

These, and other verses, state clearly the purpose of the mission of the Prophet Mohammad, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him. Purification of the soul is one of the prime reasons that Allah sent out His prophet to the people.

Purification (tazkiya) of the soul embraces two parallel processes that we ought to understand. Unless and until we know what we need to discard and what we need to retain in our souls, the whole process cannot begin. These two processes, in Arabic, are called: Takhliya  and Tahliya.

Takhliya means discarding all that is bad and negative in our characters. These include everything that hampers our progress in becoming a successful and transformed human being, either by becoming spiritually closer to Allah with a purified soul, or in other, more worldly ways. This process entails emptying our minds of the mental junkyard of evil traits and negative thoughts. Unless they are cast aside there will not be enough space available for a good character and the more positive elements of life to take root.

The second process is called Tahliya: the introduction and adaptation of positive traits in one’s character, resulting in a new life and positive development, with a new outlook and renewed capability to explore new horizons. The Quran refers to this successful changeover in life in this verse: ‘He who purified himself shall prosper; remembering his Lord’s Name and praying’. S87 V14-15

The Quran further says in S91 Verses 7-10: ‘And by the soul and by Him who has perfectly proportioned it and imbued it with (the consciousness of) its evils and its piety. He who purifies it will prosper. And he who suppresses it will be ruined’.

What a beautiful guidance towards achieving the balanced development of human beings, and what a warning for those who persist in walking a path towards failure and hardship!

The Quran is a natural guidance to a blessed and peaceful life for all those who take heed of the laws of human development designed by their Creator. Only the most wretched will follow their own way or will not bother to change their life style. God’s law is not suppressive of His blessings and is for all creation. God is loving and merciful to all people, encouraging them  to walk the path of success and blessing, but, in the end, the choice is left to people to choose their own future. Islam encourages a more thoughtful approach to life, as all actions have their consequences, both in this world and in the Hereafter.

Tazkiya helps people to develop good qualities in themselves and develop more positive characters, but not to the extent that they stop being productive.

Tazkiya starts the believer on the journey to al-Ehsan, the highest rank of faith, where people begin to embody goodness and God becomes ever present to them. It is a process which creates spiritual leadership and an understanding of God’s blessings.  Fully embracing it will ensure we become ever more Grateful to Him and attain a higher position in the Sight of Allah, the Most blessed and Most High.