Saint or Sinner?

Dr. Muhbib Al-Wahab
Head of the Arabic Language Education Masters Study Program at FITK UIN Jakarta

In one of his prayers, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) once supplicated, “O Allah, grant my soul its piety and purify it, for You are the best to purify it. You are its Guardian and Protector. O Allah, inspire me to righteousness and protect me from the evils of my soul.” (Narrated by Ahmad and al-Tirmidhi).

At first, this prayer may raise a question: why did the Prophet who is absolutely protected from sin feel the need to ask for purification and protection from wrongdoing? The answer reveals a profound lesson in humility and awareness. Despite being guaranteed Paradise by Allah’s mercy, the Prophet exemplified deep spiritual sensitivity and an unceasing awareness of human fallibility.

As the best example for humanity, he demonstrated the ideal way to seek Allah’s guidance and purification. If a Prophet, whose soul was already pure, still prayed for divine cleansing, how much more should ordinary believers humble themselves in repentance and seek protection from sin?

According to Imam al-Ghazali, tazkiyat al-nafs (purification of the soul) is an individual obligation since no human being is entirely free from sin or spiritual ailments such as hypocrisy (nifaq), ostentation (riya’), envy (hasad), or vanity (sum‘ah). Through consistent self-purification, a believer strengthens the soul, attains spiritual clarity, and grows closer to Allah.

“Indeed, Allah loves those who constantly repent and those who purify themselves.” - (Al-Baqarah 2:222)

Thus, claiming self-righteousness contradicts the very essence of divine purity—only Allah is truly al-Quddus, the Most Pure.

Human nature is a constant battle between divine inspiration and primal temptation. When ambition dominate, human falls into the abyss. But when faith, love, and the remembrance of Allah prevail, the spirit of tazkiyat al-nafs opens the path toward truth and divine proximity.

A soul that undergoes purification becomes fertile ground in realization and consciousness. This process nurtures noble traits, leading to genuine happiness and spiritual prosperity. As the Qur’an affirms:

“By the soul and the One who proportioned it and inspired it with its wickedness and its righteousness—successful indeed is the one who purifies it, and failed indeed is the one who corrupts it.” - (Al-Shams 91:7–10)

Therefore, recognizing one’s imperfection and striving for self-purification are among the most commendable acts in Islam. Allah loves those who continually repent, mend their wrongs with good deeds, and draw closer to Him through humility and devotion.

The Qur’an explicitly warns believers against self-conceit: “So do not claim yourselves to be pure; He knows best who is truly righteous.” - (Al-Najm 53:32).

To consider oneself flawless is not only a theological error but also a moral arrogance—an illusion of self-sufficiency that distances the heart from divine mercy. True purity is not proclaimed; it is pursued through repentance, reflection, and the ceaseless effort to become better in the sight of Allah.