Did the Prophet not struggle with his soul (nafs)?

- Since the Prophet’s heart was opened and the black part called the devil’s share was removed from his heart, did he still have to deal with his nafs?

Dear Brother / Sister,

First of all, we should state that this incident does not mean that the Prophet (pbuh) would not be tested, but that he would be given the necessary equipment to carry the prophetic mission and be ready for a great miracle such as miraj.

It should not be forgotten that prophets have two important duties. One is to convey the text of the divine revelation and explain its message. The second is to answer the questions of life verbally and actually, which is a requirement of the test, like every human being.

It is narrated that the Prophet (pbuh) said:

“The most severely afflicted people are the prophets, then those who are close to them in virtue, then those who are close to them.”

This hadith was narrated by Tirmidhi, Darimi, Nasai, Ibn Majah, and Hakim with similar statements. Tirmidhi states that it is sound. (see Ibn Hajar, Fathul-Bari, 10/111)

According to a narration, the Prophet (pbuh) said, “There is no one among humankind who does not have a companion from the jinn (devils).” When those who were there asked, “O Messenger of Allah! Does it also hold true for you?” He said: “Yes, it holds true for me too, but Allah has helped me and my devil has surrendered to me and suggests nothing but good deeds to me.” (see Muslim, 2814, Ibn Hanbal, 4392)

From the following statement of Badiuzzaman Said Nursi, we learn that prophets also have souls:

“In accordance with the words of Joseph (Upon whom be peace), اِنَّ النَّفْسَ َلاَمَّارَةٌ بِالسُّوءِ اِلاَّ مَا رَحِمَ رَبِّى (The human soul is certainly prone to evil, unless my Sustainer do bestow His mercy) (12:53), the evil-commanding soul cannot be relied upon. Do not let egotism and the soul deceive you! To gain sincerity and preserve it you should take as your guide the following rules:” (Lem’alar, p. 160)

The following prayer of the Prophet (pbuh) is sufficient to show his situation in this regard:

“O Allah, forgive me my faults, my ignorance, my immoderation in my concerns. And Thou art better aware (of my affairs) than myself. O Allah, grant me forgiveness (of the faults which I committed) seriously or otherwise (and which I committed inadvertently and deliberately. All these (failings) are in me. O Allah, grant me forgiveness from the fault which I did in haste or deferred, which I committed in privacy or in public and Thou art better aware of (them) than myself. Thou art the First and the Last and over all things Thou art Omnipotent.” (Bukhari, h. no: 6398; Muslim, h. no: 2719)

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