It was reported by Abdullah ibn Mu’awiyah (RA) that a man once asked, “What is purification of the soul?” The Messenger of Allah (SWT), Prophet Muhammad (SAW), replied, “That one knows Allah Almighty is with him wherever he is.” This does not refer to a metaphysical nearness in a worldly sense. Rather, it is the knowledge that Allah (SWT) is fully aware of us, of our movements, our whispers, and our intentions, while He is exalted above His creation, above the heavens, above the Throne (Arsh ul Istiwa). To truly know that He sees you, knows you, and hears you wherever you are should cause the heart to tremble, not in fear alone, but in humility. And humility begins with Tazkiya. What Is Tazkiya? Tazkiya-e-Nafs is the purification of the self. It is not merely seeking forgiveness after sinning, but cleansing intentions before actions. It is the conscious and continual renewal of niyyah so that sins decrease at their root. Allah says in Surah Ash-Shams, “He has succeeded who purifies it, and he has failed who corrupts it” (91:9–10). Tazkiya is not a one-time act. It is lifelong. It is catching the whisper before it becomes a thought, the thought before it becomes an action, and the action before it becomes a habit. The scholars describe the states of the nafs as three. Nafs al-Ammarah is the soul that commands toward evil. Nafs al-Lawwamah is the self-reproaching soul. Nafs al-Mutma’innah is the tranquil soul at peace with its Lord. Tazkiya is the journey from the first state to the last. Why Tazkiya Before Ramadan? Entering the blessed month of Ramadan with an ill-intentioned heart defeats the purpose of the month itself, which is worshiping Allah in the way He deserves. Before you are judged by Him on the Day of Judgement, judge your own self. Ask what makes you delay good deeds. Ask what excuses you hide behind. Ask what pulls you toward what you know is forbidden. If you allow the sickness of this world to settle in your heart, the heart will either suffer or die. Ramadan is not merely about abstaining from food and drink. It is about disciplining the nafs and strengthening obedience. As believers we say, as mentioned in Surah Al-Baqarah, “We hear and we obey” (2:285). Obedience nurtures Taqwa, and Taqwa is the fruit of Tazkiya. At the same time, just as we fear accountability, we hope in His vast mercy. Allah loves those who constantly repent. Ramadan is not only a month of restraint. It is a month of return. Practical Steps Toward Tazkiya Purification requires application. Begin by writing down what you want to achieve this Ramadan. Journaling clarifies intention and solidifies commitment. When you write your goal, you confront your nafs. Ask yourself why you want to change, and keep asking until you reach sincerity. Make sincere tawbah. Tawbah is not a casual utterance of seeking forgiveness. It requires recognising the sin, feeling remorse, quitting it, and resolving never to return to it. Name your sin before Allah and speak to Him about it with humility. He is the Most Forgiving. Remove the diseases of the heart such as arrogance, pride, envy, and hatred. Who are we but mere specks in the vastness of His creation? Cleanse your heart of grudges. Reconcile with those you have distanced yourself from, or those who have distanced themselves from you, for the sake of Allah alone. In that reconciliation lies healing. Detach from the ‘dunya’ (World). This world is temporary and not our final home. We were sent here to worship Him alone. Detachment does not mean abandoning responsibility. It means the dunya remains in your hands and does not settle in your heart. We do not assume Jannah is guaranteed for us. Rather, we strive to be among its people and hope in His mercy to admit us. Ramadan Is a beginning, Not a transformation button. Ramadan is not coming to change you. You are responsible for changing yourself. This month is an opportunity, a catalyst, and a training ground. What you build in these thirty days must continue beyond them, otherwise the nafs returns stronger than before. Speak to Allah (SWT) as you walk this path. Ask Him to steady you, purify you, and guide you within your capacity and beyond what you thought you were capable of. Actions without sincerity are like a body without a soul, and sincerity is born from knowing that Allah (SWT) sees you. Indeed, He is the All-Seeing and the All-Knowing. May Allah (SWT) allow us to witness this Ramadan, purify our hearts within it, and decree for us from it what is best in this world and the Hereafter.   (Author can be reached at: khadijah@risingkashmir.com)