The process of spiritual transformation to attain Nafs al-muṭmaʾinnah in Islamic psychology
HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies June 3, 2024 Nita Trimulyaningsih, M.A. Subandi, Kwartarini W. Yuniarti
Spiritual-religious transformation among Indonesian Muslims who follow spiritual practices leads to the tranquil self (nafs al-muṭmaʾinnah). Ten participants in Yogyakarta province were interviewed along with their significant others. Five themes emerged: deviation from religious environment, spiritual discipline, transformative experiences, new characters, and a continuous process. Transformation occurs gradually after a sudden experience and continues throughout life. Three contributing factors are predisposition, a spiritual guide, and spiritual experiences. This study provides an Islamic-Sufi perspective on spiritual-religious transformation, which has mainly been studied within Judeo-Christian traditions.