The Septenary Principle in Sufism

Although Hindu, Greek, Taoist, Egyptian and Zoroastrian examples of the septenary constitution were presented in early Theosophical literature, Sufi examples were relatively scarce, even though the Sufi schools are a notable esoteric tradition that make prominent use of the sevenfold structure, as subsequent studies have shown, a pioneering work being Henri Corbin’s The Man of Light in Iranian Sufism (1971).

The table below adapted from a Naqshbandi model (https://sufipathoflove.com/seven-levels-of-being/), with additions from the Kubrawiya school.

1	2	3	4	5	6	7
An-Nafs al-Ammara Inciting to evil self	Nafs al Lawwamah Reproachful self	Nafs al Mulhimah Inspired Self	Nafs al Mutmainnah Tranquil Self	Nafs ar Radiyyah Content Self	Nafs al Mardiyyah Pleasing Self	Nafs al-Kamila The Pure /Perfect Self
Soul: Ruh Madeni Mineral soul	Soul: Ruh Nabati Vegetable soul	Soul: Ruh Haywani Animal soul	Soul: Ruh Nafsani Personal Soul	Soul: Ruh Insani Human Soul	Soul: Ruh Sirr Secret Soul	Soul: Sirr Al Asar- The Secret of Secrets
Light/Colour /Aura : Blue	Light/Colour /Aura : Yellow	Light/Colour /Aura : Red	Light/Colour /Aura : White	Light/Colour /Aura : Green	Light/Colour /Aura : Black	Light/Colour /Aura : Colourless
Located: Human skeletal system. As-sadr –The Breast/Chest	Located: Liver and related to the digestive system. Al- Qalb – The heart	Location: Heart & Circulatory system Ar-Ruh -The Spirit	Location: Brain and nervous system. As-sir The Innermost being	Location: Inner or Spiritual heart. As-sara'ir – The Consciences	Location: Innermost Spiritual Heart. Al-Akhfa –The Hidden	Location: Innermost Spiritual Heart of Hearts Al-Khafa – Secrecy
Mediation- Dhikr to repeat: La-ilaha ill-lil-lah no Gods, but The God.	Mediation- Dhikr to repeat Ya Allah O The God	Mediation- Dhikr to repeat Ya Hu! O He	Mediation- Dhikr to repeat Ya Haqq O Truth	Mediation- Dhikr to repeat: Ya Hayy O Everlasting	Mediation- Dhikr to repeat Ya Qayyum O Eternal	Mediation- Dhikr to repeat: Ya Qahhar O Omnipotent
Quran Ref: Behold! The commanding nafs encourages evil, except when my Lord bestows mercy. (Qur'an 12:53)	Quran Ref: And I swear by the reproachful soul!” (75:1-2)	Quran Ref: And a nafs and Him who gave order to it and inspired it with a sense of what is wrong for it and what is right for it. (Qur'an 91:8)	Quran Ref: O the righteous soul will be said, "O, you nafs in complete peace and satisfaction!" (Qur'an 89:27)	Quran Ref: Return to your Lord, content (Qur'an 89:28)	Quran Ref: for His being pleased with you! (Qur'an 89:28)	Quran Ref: This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favor to you, and have chosen for you as your religion Islam. (Qur'an 5:3)
Traits: narcissistic, mechanical, conditioned, non-reflective, impulsive.	Traits: conscience, capacity for self-observation	Traits: generosity, gratitude, modesty, empathy, ardent desire.	Traits: dignity, sincerity, courage, compassion, complete loyalty.	Traits: endurance, resignation, constancy.	Traits: knowledge of Allah, sincerity, unbounded faith and hope in existential communion.	Traits: freedom from duality, acceptance of Allah's will, joy of union, freedom from expectation, contentment.