Purifying the self
Methods of the Masters
Paths to training the self — those taught by the Ahl al-Bayt, and those set out by the masters of akhlaq who systematised them. They do not contradict one another; they complete one another.
From the Ahl al-Bayt
The teachings the whole tradition rests on — guarding the first thought, fulfilling what is owed to others, and calling yourself to account each day.
From the masters of akhlaq
Four masters of the Shia spiritual tradition offer four complementary paths to the purification of the self. They do not contradict one another — they complete one another. Narāqī trains behaviour. Khomeini purifies intention. Ṭabāṭabāʾī corrects perception. Ibn Ṭāwūs keeps the heart soft and alive before Allah. Choose the path that meets your current struggle, or walk them in turn.
Train behaviourMullā Aḥmad al-NarāqīDiagnose & BalanceFor: Repeated habits, anger, pride, jealousy, or weak self-control5 daily steps · can be followed for forty days →Purify intentionImam KhomeiniJihād al-NafsFor: Showing off, hidden ego, spiritual pride, or doing good while wanting to be noticed3 daily steps · can be followed for forty days →Correct perceptionʿAllāmah ṬabāṭabāʾīCorrect SeeingFor: Anxiety, attachment to control, wrong priorities, or seeing life only through worldly causes3 daily steps · can be followed for forty days →Keep the heart softSayyid Ibn ṬāwūsIntimate PresenceFor: Spiritually dry, distant from Allah, overwhelmed by guilt, or needing a softer return2 daily steps · can be followed for forty days →Shahid al-ThaniKashf al-Ribah 'an Ahkam al-Ghibah2 daily steps · can be followed for forty days →Ayatollah KhameneiDiscourses on Patience2 daily steps · can be followed for forty days →