Imam Khomeini

The method

The nafs is a subtle inner opponent that adapts, disguises itself, and sometimes hides inside good actions. The real danger is not only obvious sin — a deeper danger is thinking 'I am fine' while the heart quietly enjoys being seen, praised, or admired. The subtlest diseases appear inside worship itself: riyāʾ, doing good while wanting to be noticed; ʿujb, admiring one's own acts of worship; and kibr, feeling superior to others. If worship feeds the ego, its spiritual benefit is lost. Sincerity matters more than quantity; humility matters more than spiritual experiences. Progress comes through three weapons together: mujāhadah — resisting the ego when it pushes, choosing the harder, quieter response for the sake of Allah; tawbah — returning to Allah immediately after slipping, with honest acknowledgement and one practical step of repair; and ikhlāṣ — regularly checking the intention before, during, and after actions, and redirecting the heart toward Allah whenever the desire for recognition appears.

How to practise it

1. 1Read books and teachings about character and the purification of the soul slowly — one section a week. These are strong medicine; rushing allows the ego to enjoy the knowledge without being changed by it.
2. 2Run an intention audit three times a day: 'Why am I doing this? Would I still do it unseen? Is this for Allah, or for my image?'
3. 3Do one hidden good deed daily — the ego cannot feed on what it cannot display. If the heart wants recognition, deny it gently. That denial is mujāhadah.
4. 4Make tawbah with practical repair, not words alone: hurt someone → apologise; showed off → give secret charity.
5. 5Train humility on purpose: let others speak first, accept criticism in silence, sit at the back, credit others publicly.