“Your Body Has a Right Over You” - Imam Ibn Kamal Pasha

Regarding the statement of the Prophet ﷺ: “Surely your nafs (self/body) has a ḥaqq (right) over you”:

The ḥaqq of the nafs is what enables a person to fulfil the purpose for which they were created i.e. worship. One should be cognizant of the difference between the ḥaqq of the nafs and the hawā (desire/pleasure) of the nafs as they are antithetical to one another. To fulfil the ḥaqq of the nafs is obligatory, whereas to follow the hawā of the nafs is prohibited, either as a discouragement or outright prohibition.

The ḥaqq of the nafs with regard to food is a few small morsels that will keep the back straight, by which a person is able to perform worship and what is related to it; whereas the hawā of the nafs is indulging in various types of food and overeating which becomes a burden on the body and a hindrance to worship.

The ḥaqq of the body with regard to sleep is [that which is sufficient for] the removal of tiredness and lack of vitality which may cause a person who wishes to supplicate in favour of themselves to supplicate instead against themselves; whereas the hawā of the nafs is to become comfortable in the bed of laziness and luxury, and to remain asleep to the extent that tahajjud passes, and to waste valuable time.

Likewise the abovementioned principles will apply accordingly to the ḥaqq of the nafs and the hawā of the nafs with regard to dress, accommodation and marriage. Many who engross themselves in unnecessary permissible actions allege that they are fulfilling the rights of the nafs, whereas in reality they are unknowingly following their desires which they have been prohibited from doing.[3]

---

[1] Imām Ibn Kamāl Pāshā, Sharḥ Riyāḍ al-Ṣāliḥīn: ed. Dār al-Nawādir vol.1 pp.603-4 - available to read/download (Arabic) HERE

[2] For a brief biography of Imām Ibn Kamāl Pāshā, see HERE

[3] Translator’s Note: During the time of the Prophet ﷺ people had a strong desire and drive to worship Allāh and perform additional acts of optional worship. In our time, however, we are witness to the opposite generally being the case. As such, true moderation in our time would be for us to push ourselves in the opposite direction and not to be complacent and content with fulfilling the bare minimum in terms of our religious obligations. And Allāh knows best.