almutmainnah

Almutmainnah (Arabic: المطْمَئِنَّة) is a term in Islamic theology meaning “the tranquil, settled soul.” The word comes from the Arabic root tamn/ta’mīn, which conveys calmness, reassurance, and rest. The form mutmaʾinnah is the feminine passive participle used to describe the soul.

In Qur’an usage, al-mutmainnah refers to a state of inner peace associated with faith and submission to God. The phrase appears in verses such as “O tranquil soul, return to your Lord, well-pleased and pleasing [to Him],” which is commonly cited as describing the righteous person’s transition at the end of life and into the hereafter. The concept is tied to the broader Qur’anic portrayal of the soul’s journey and its ultimate reunion with God.

Theologically, nafs al-mutmaʾinnah is discussed within Islamic psychology and exegesis as one of several states of the soul. It is contrasted with other states such as nafs al-lawwama (the self-accusing soul) and nafs al-ammārah (the commanding self). The mutmaʾinnah is viewed as a soul settled in contentment, trust, and moral integrity, granted serenity by God.

In Islamic spirituality, the term has been developed in both mainstream and Sufi traditions as a goal of spiritual purification. Attaining this state is traditionally associated with persistent worship, remembrance of God (dhikr), contemplation (fikr), patience (sabr), and ethical conduct, which together foster inner steadiness and reliance on God.

Translations of al-mutmainnah include “the tranquil soul” or “the soul at rest.” The concept constitutes a significant motif in Qur’anic interpretation and accounts of the believer’s afterlife.