The Deification of Desires and the Self

The Qur’an serves as a guide aimed at directing people to the right path, using various concepts to understand the depths of the human soul and keep individuals on the proper course. One of these concepts is hewa. In Arabic, hewa refers to the desires and inclinations of the self (nafs), and it is connected to the phenomenon of placing one’s own desires above the commandments and prohibitions of Allah.
The Qur’an emphasizes the self (nafs) and hewa to highlight the dangers that can arise in a person’s inner world and the consequences of succumbing to such deviations. Hewa can be defined as “the desires, passions, and inclinations of the self.” When a person deifies their hewa, that is, prioritizes the self’s desires and inclinations over Allah’s commands and prohibitions, it constitutes a major deviation and a form of polytheism. In Islam, shirk is defined as associating partners with Allah, and such an approach leads a person to lose their true value and experience inner collapse.
An individual who becomes insensitive to Allah’s commands follows their hewa, gradually dulling their reason and conscience. The Qur’an, in Surah Yusuf (12:53), states:
"And I do not acquit myself. Indeed, the soul is ever prone to evil, except for those upon which my Lord has mercy. Indeed, my Lord is Forgiving and Merciful."
This verse emphasizes the self’s tendency to command wrongdoing, illustrating the corruption that occurs when inner desires take precedence over Allah’s guidance.
Hewa acts as a companion for a person; every desire, passion, and craving drives them beyond the limits set by Allah. The Qur’an portrays those who deify their hewa as individuals who have surrendered to the inclinations of their nafs, turning these inclinations into a form of opposition to Allah. This deviation is not limited to idolatry; in the modern world, hewa manifests in worldly desires such as material success, power, beauty, and social status.
Today, many individuals pursue wealth, prestige, and the satisfaction of every desire without limits, effectively worshiping their nafs. The Qur’an describes this in Surah Al-Furqan (25:43-44):
"Have you seen the one who takes his own desire as his god? Then would you be responsible for him? Or do you think most of them hear or reason? They are not but like livestock; rather, they are more astray from the way."
Here, the text clearly conveys that prioritizing one’s hewa dulls reason and conscience, rendering a person even less aware than an animal.
The majority of people today live to satisfy their desires, forgetting their Creator, the afterlife, and the true purpose of life. The self’s desires are limitless, constantly urging humans to transgress Allah’s boundaries. The desire for wealth may lead one to amass property through unjust means, accept bribes, or commit theft—behaviors that correspond to one who has deified their hewa. The nafs sometimes encourages committing forbidden acts and sometimes prevents fulfilling obligatory duties.
Fornication is also among the greatest desires of the nafs, and the Qur’an explicitly prohibits it. A person who commits fornication without remorse is described as someone who has deified their self. Surah An-Nur (24:3) states:
"Do not marry except [in the case of] those who are lawful for you: the fornicator does not marry except a fornicator or a polytheist, and the fornicator woman does not marry except a fornicator or a polytheist. It is forbidden for the believers."
This prohibition is not merely physical but represents a spiritual deviation and rebellion against Allah. A person who deifies their nafs becomes a slave to lust and other desires, violating divine prohibitions.
Obeying one’s hewa gradually erodes reason and conscience. Surah Al-Jathiya (45:23) warns:
"Have you seen the one who takes his own desire as his god? Then Allah has left him astray, sealing his hearing and his heart, and putting a cover over his vision. Who can guide him after Allah? Will you not then be mindful?"
This illustrates that a person who worships their desires is deprived of divine guidance and ultimately becomes enslaved to their nafs.
The deification of desires and the self is a major deviation encountered by many people today. As individuals pursue their inclinations, they distance themselves from Allah’s commands and prohibitions, losing their true selves. This process dulls reason and conscience and can place a person below the level of animals.
However, a believer struggles against the self, controlling its desires and following only Allah’s commands. This represents true freedom, bringing the individual closest to Allah. The Qur’an serves as the ultimate guide for this struggle and for following the straight path.