The concept of self purification in Eşrefoğlu Rûmî: An analysis from the perspective of müzekki̇'n-nüfûs

Human beings are inherently endowed with a soul predisposed toward both virtue and vice. As such, cultivating moral character necessitates the discipline of the soul (nefs). Throughout history, numerous works have been written to guide individuals in navigating the path to righteousness, providing direction for those seeking to align themselves with goodness. One such seminal work is Müzekki'n-Nüfûs by Eşrefoğlu Rûmî, which explores various methods of soul purification. Eşrefoğlu Rûmî, a prominent 15th-century Sufi scholar from the Ottoman period, sought to guide individuals both through the tekke he founded in İznik and the works he authored. His writings have continued to captivate readers and scholars through the centuries. This study critically examines the concept of nafs discipline, a central element of the spiritual journey, as articulated in Eşrefoğlu Rûmî's Müzekki'n-Nüfûs. In this text, Rûmî offers a detailed exploration of the stages of the soul, the essential practices in the struggle against the ego, the importance of attachment to a perfect guide (murshid-i kamil), and the conditions for such a relationship. Additionally, by referencing other works within the Sufi tradition, this study endeavours to elucidate the significance of nafs training, both as a means of realising one's ultimate purpose of knowing Allah and as an essential step toward self-awareness. The purification of the soul is recognised as one of the most arduous and demanding spiritual endeavours, given that the nafs is considered the soul's most formidable adversary. Consequently, in Islamic thought, each individual is bound to engage in an ongoing struggle against the ego. This lifelong endeavour requires perseverance and resolve until the final breath to achieve victory over the self.