The phrase "وكذلك سولت لي نفسي" (wa kadhalika sawalat li nafsi) is an Arabic expression that appears in the Quran, specifically in Surah Taha (20), verse 96. It is attributed to the Samaritan in the story of the golden calf.
The verse narrates the events that transpired after Moses (Musa) ascended to Mount Sinai to receive the divine tablets from God. In his absence, the Samaritan, driven by his own desires and inclinations, misled the Israelites into worshipping a golden calf he had fashioned.
When confronted by Moses upon his return, the Samaritan attempts to justify his actions by claiming that his "self" (nafs) had deceived him. The phrase "وكذلك سولت لي نفسي" can be interpreted in several ways:
"My self tempted me to do so.": This is the most straightforward interpretation, suggesting that the Samaritan's actions were driven by his own internal temptations and desires.
"My self made it seem easy or appealing to do so.": This interpretation implies that the Samaritan's self presented the act of creating and worshipping the calf as an attractive or justifiable course of action.
"My self rationalized my actions to me.": This suggests that the Samaritan's self engaged in self-deception, justifying his actions even though they were clearly wrong.
Regardless of the specific interpretation, the phrase highlights the power of the human ego and the potential for it to lead us astray. It serves as a reminder that we must always be vigilant against our own internal temptations and strive to make decisions based on sound principles and moral values.
In the context of the Quranic narrative, the Samaritan's actions serve as an example of how following one's desires and inclinations can lead to grave consequences. It underscores the importance of adhering to God's commandments and seeking guidance from divine revelation.