In Sufism, Nafs refers to the self or ego and is seen as the source of base desires and worldly attachments. Purification of the Nafs involves progressing through stages: from Nafs al-Ammarah (the commanding self) that succumbs to desires, to Nafs al-Lawwamah (the reproachful self) that is self-aware and struggles with inner conflicts, and finally to Nafs al-Mutma’innah (the peaceful self) that is purified and in harmony with divine will. This journey involves practices like meditation, prayer, and asceticism, aiming to transcend the ego and attain closeness to God.