Analysis of Human Immaterial Dimension in the Qur’an Based on Semantics; Redefining the Words “Nafs, Rūh, and Qalb”

Self-consciousness is a phenomenon that has a long history. Some believe that man is nothing but this mere visible appearance while the others consider the basic truth of man to be an indivisible abstract essence of which the body plays the role of a carrier. In the context of the immaterial dimension of man, Islamic scholars use the words “nafs” (self), “rūh” (soul) and “qalb” (heart). In the Qur’an, the term ‘nafs’ does not refer only to the human immaterial dimension but rather it encompasses the totality of man, i.e. both material and immaterial. ‘Rūh’ also doesn’t denote to its modern usage but its occurrence beside the word “amr” (command) shows that rūh is the executive mechanism, regulates and directs the affairs of the universe in creatures and is in fact the link between the command and the creation. Carefully examining all the Qur’anic verses related to qalb, it is concluded that qalb represents the immaterial dimension of man and controls his powers.