How To Differentiate Between Shirk And The Practice Of Nafsi Uloom

[Umer]

The effects of ‘Nafsiyati Ulum’ can be seen as a result of interaction of some practices/actions with our body or our ‘Self’. This is somewhat similar to homeopathic medicine, where despite not knowing the process, we experience effects of taking some solution which interacts with us or our body. This experience of humans does not leave it a mere speculation or superstition. Yes, more study needs to be done to make it an established science, however, it is also not same as any other superstition. The effects of stars and their movement is something external, without any interaction being experienced or observed, and yet a big claim is being made which makes it a superstition. We need to be extremely careful about superstitions as they reflect polytheistic attitude because here we are effectively equating God with stars i.e. the way God can impact my life with his decision, so can a random movement of a star.