Do you think about your inner world as a hidden garden? In it are your fears, hopes, memories and thoughts. Most people wander through their inner world without ever exploring it. Yet, somewhere deep within your inner world, there are some patterns that reveal who you are.
These patterns are called archetypes. Archetypes influence what you do, how you feel and how you respond on a subconscious level. In Islam, there is a rich discussion around nafs that could be profoundly related to this concept. In the Qur’an, Allah refers to different types of nafs, each representing a different stage of development in the passage of the soul.
1. The Wounded Child
This archetype contains the pain of your history. It feels rejected, unseen, and unloved. It can also speak through fear, saying “I’m not safe” or “I’m not good enough.” You may feel it in sadness or loneliness. It hides when you pretend everything is fine. But Allah will not leave His servants in pain. The Prophet ﷺ lost both parents when he was a child. But Allah consoled Him in Surah Duha: “Did He not fined you an orphan and give you shelter?” (Qur’an 93:6). Your wounds are not a weakness. They are the places where divine love can enter.
2. The Inner Critic
This voice is loud and cruel. It has contempt for your mistakes and says “You’re a failure.” It demands perfection and punishes you when you fall. But Islam says we should be kind, even to ourselves. Shay tan says there is no hope, while Allah speaks about His mercy. In Surah Az-Zumar (39:53), Allah says “Do not despair of Allah’s mercy.” Your soul was created to return to Him, not to live in shame. You can rebuke the inner critic by replacing it with reflection. Keep your faith and try again. It’s ok to fall down. Learn from what you learn from when you fall, but don’t hate yourself. The inner critic becomes weaker when you choose mercy over punishment.
3. The Over givers
This archetype entirely forgets about its own needs. It says yes to everything, every time, every time, even though it is tired. It may even fear saying no. You may think love means giving everything you have. This leads to burnout, anger, and sadness. Islam is about balance. The prophet ﷺ prayed in quiet and took time away from everything to be alone. He also encouraged others to rest and be responsible for their own well-being. Giving to others is beautiful, it only ceases to be beautiful when you give until your soul is empty. You can still be generous, while setting some boundaries. Set boundaries. Say “no” with love, when you need to. Your soul matters.
4. The Seeker
The seeker archetype is always in search of the next thing. It says, “There has to be more than this.” You may feel empty inside. You may not know what your life means. But this longing for something different is not bad – it is the indicator to shift your attention to the self-existence of Allah. Allah says in Surah Ar-Ra’d (13:28), “Only in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find peace.” The prophet ﷺ was a seeker too. The prophet ﷺ left all worldly noise behind and sat in the cave of Hera, with his heart searching for what to do next before revelation. The seeker in you is only looking for nearness to Allah. Let it work for you.
5. The Shadow Self
This archetype embodies everything that you shun. It contains your shame, jealousy, guilt, and fear. You may ignore it. But it appears as anger, envy, or sadness. You may sometimes overreact to minor matters.
The shadow self will become more pronounced the more you push it away. Islam also helps you build self-awareness. Surah Ash-Shams-91:9 says, “He has succeeded who purifies it.” The Prophet ﷺ made this dua, “O Allah, show me the truth as truth.” Seeing your shadow self is not sinful; it is courageous. Facing what you hide is a part of you. You nurture and heal with dhikr or other methods and then surrender to Allah. The more you see your shadow self, the more light you will harbor.
Read more: 5 Inner Battles That Damage Your Love Life
6. The Inner Witness
This is the most blissful archetype. The inner witness is non-judging. It sees without reacting. It allows for pause. It says, wait, and think about it. You may experience it while praying, in the silence, or during an ordeal. It invokes calmness, not chaos. It is present with you and the moment, and it presents clear sight of the complete picture.
The Prophet ﷺ would often sit in contemplation, He was known for His pause, “One hour of contemplation is better than one year of worship,” He said. The Qur’an is asking you to reflect, tafakkur and tadabbur. Your inner witness connects you to your higher self; returning to your true self. It allows you know to respond – rather than react. As this becomes strengthened, the more you enter into the state of companion.
The Real-Life Islamic Case Study – Prophet Musa عليه السلام
The life of Musa عليه السلام demonstrates all 6 archetypes. As a young child, he lived in the palace of Pharaoh and felt alienated. His wounded child carried that pain. Later on, he accidentally killed man. And when he experienced that fear, his inner critic said, “Run!” So he fled into the desert.
While there, he assisted a couple of women with a well, and, from the perspective of his over giver, he acted sincerely and without hesitation. Then he said, “My Lord, I am in need of whatever good You may send” (Qur’an 28:24). His seeker was turning to Allah. But when he was commanded to face the Pharaoh again, he experienced something called shadow. He was terrified about what happened. Allah said to him, “Fear not; I am with you” (Qur’an 20:46). Eventually, Musa عليه السلام started to develop his inner witness. He was able to calmly, wisely be the leader. His journey has been a good example of how divine love transforms the inner self.
Conclusion: Return to Your Fit rah
Your inner world is full of signs, and whenever you are seeking the truth about yourself each archetype is a mirror given to you from Allah. Both your pain and potential will be reflected back to you. True healing always begins inside. Islam is not just about what you do. It is much more about your nafs, your intention, and your heart. Once you start to understand your inner world, you will find peace in your outer world, and return to your fit rah. Allah created your soul pure and strong. These six archetypes will help support you on your journey home, if you are willing to look inside yourself.
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