The Truth about the Alleged Punishment for Apostasy in Islam — Page 50
50 That is when the Holy Qur’an states that: "You should slay your "selves", it means you should slay your selfish desires and greed, and crush your foul wishes—because, it is the selfish desires and greed that constitute the essence of the "self". Such an act is better for you, in the sight of your God. Because, the more you crush the-self-that-incites-to-evil 47 , the more rapidly would you advance in high rank and spiritual elevation in the presence of God. And He, too, would enable you to undertake more acts of virtue and, by treating you mercifully, He, too, would continue to draw closer to you. " 48 So, this is the meaning of the verse: "Then He turned towards you with compassion. Surely, He is Oft-Returning with 47 Nafsi Amm a rah. [Publisher] 48 Shaikh Ism a ’ i l H aqq i Al-Bar u saw i , Tafs i r R uh ul Bay a n, Surah Al- Baqarah, 2:55, Part 1, Page 139, Published by Al-Maktabatul Isl a miya. [Publisher]