Starve Your Ego, Feed your Soul!

Ego and soul are two of the attributes that comprise the distinction in a particular person. Ego tells us that “we” matter whereas soul provides us the reason to live and strive for happiness. We humans are dependent entirely upon our souls because feeding it with the right contents nurture it and in return allows us to do productive deeds.Soul like living things needs food to feed on and to respond in accordance. Feeding toxic and illegal things makes it rusted and despondent which eventually trap us in the tribulations of Satan. On the contrary, feeding it with positive food turns it into enliven soul keeping the faith of a person alive.

Faith and Soul Connection in Islam:

Islam, religion of peace advises Muslims and all the faith bearers to lay trust on Allah and feed their soul and heart with the sheer remembrance of Him. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said that:

“O You who turns hearts, make my heart firm upon Your religion.” [Al Tirmidhi]

Quran learning and teaching on the other hand asks Muslims to seek Allah for guidance to revert hearts towards religion Islam as in it lies the contentment for soul and hearts. Quran attests to it as:

“[Who say], “Our Lord, let not our hearts deviate after You have guided us and grant us from Yourself mercy. Indeed, You are the Bestower.” [Quran 3:8]

Starving Ego to Nourish Good:

Ego is the main obstacle in acquiring good in our lives because it forces us to be selfish and allow us to think for ourselves merely. Islam teaches to be kind to all and sacrifice one’s ego in order to remain humble as with gross ego, one cannot achieve what Allah and Quran has commanded. Fasting is the best practice to starve ego as Allah says in Quran:

“Fasting is enjoined on you, as it was enjoined on those before you, that you may perhaps become God-conscious. [Qur’an 2:183] 

Feeding Soul:

As a sick person needs antidotes, likewise soul requires medicine to stay positive, free of intoxication and to remain positive. The entire teachings of Quran and Hadith refer to few things, which are essential for feeding souls, which every Muslim should adopt to keep their soul purified, including:

1. Connect the Dots:

Quran is complete package, which holds everything in it, hence scrutinize those signs that Allah wants us to adopt and then hold onto it. The basic purpose of creation though is to worship Him but what comes next is to live this life to help the people of Allah and treating them gently. Be kind to your kit and kin as this is what matters in a long run. Follow the precise code of behavior because giving happiness to others is satisfying your soul in return:

“…And to parents do good, and to relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbor, the neighbor farther away, the companion at your side, the traveler, and those whom your right hands possess….” [Quran 4:36]

2. Light a Candle:

Those who light a candle for someone benefit from its lightening until the very end of it. Charity is the third pillar of Islam and is one way of keeping this candle lighted for others and for you as well. Charity is donation to the deserving people for sake of Allah in order to benefit those who are deprived of what Allah has blessed you with.

Contemplate the lives of philanthropist and you will come to know what in actual our souls need for keeping it happy and alive. Zakat or Charity is soul purification because it instills humbleness and tears ego. Charity is sharing smiles, a benevolent gift for humanity, who does good have good, as stated:

“If you disclose your charitable expenditures, they are good; but if you conceal them and give them to the poor, it is better for you, and He will remove from you some of your misdeeds [thereby]. And Allah, with what you do, is [fully] acquainted.” [2:271]

3. Sail and Submit:

The feelings of freedom is a bliss which is achieved when a Muslim totally surrender himself to the will of God. Islam is the religion, which starts and teaches Iyyah kanah Badu wae’yah Kanasta’een:

“It is You (Allah) we worship and You (Allah) we ask for help.” [Quran 2:5]

Submitting oneself free from dependency keeps person self-esteem alive. Soul intoxicates when a person all the time pleads in front of others and asks for their help instead from the exalted deity who is the Omnipotent and has the power to award anything.

Salah is the way of absolution. A person when prostrates in front of Allah, Allah with His mercy free him from lamenting and bowing in front of others. Quran says:

“And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive [to Allah].” [Quran 2:45]

4. Recite and Glorify:

The prime and foremost purpose of revealing Quran is supervision and legitimate guidance in every core issues of life. Allah is the creator and sustainer and knows what will satisfy His worshipper’s heart hence sent Quran as a precise meditation for Muslims. Towards one’s origin, one finds peace and contentment, in the same way hearts find solace in the remembrance of Allah

“Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest”.” [Quran 13:28]

Do Dhikar and glorify His blessings that He has embarked upon us all, verily Allah’s blessings are innumerable, and then which of His favors will we deny?

5. Forgive and Win hearts:

Forgiveness is the best means of nurturing one’s soul towards purification. Forgiveness is getting the upper edge and moral defeat to others who have done wrong but you forgive them instead having the power and win their hearts.

“Whoever pardons and makes reconciliation – his reward is [due] from Allah. Indeed, He does not like wrongdoers.” [Quran 42:40]

In short, there are millions of ways to keep your soul purify and feed it for productive deeds. Reap evil with good; never complain on your luck, as we are oblivion of the good lies in it. Join relations, keep it in good shape with those who cuts with you, forgive and forget because Allah is the Ultimate Judge.