The true essence of magic lies in the transformation of oneself, known as Hawa Al Nafs. Within this transformation, there exist three primary barriers: 1. The desires of the ego, or Hawa Al Nafs, are depicted in the Quran: "Verily, the Nafs commands to harm except for those upon whom my Lord has mercy" (Sura Yusuf-53). 2. The yearning for worldly possessions, or Shahwat Al Dunia, is highlighted in the Quran: "The love of desires has been made beautiful to people; for women, offspring, gold and silver, beautiful horses and cattle, and cultivation." (Sura Al Imran-14). 3. The influence of Satan, or Shaytan Al Rajeem, is underscored in the Quran: "Verily, Satan is your enemy so take him as your enemy." (Sura Fatir-6).

Furthermore, there are five levels of the self within the Quran, along with two additional Nafs from the teachings of Arifun Teachers (gnostic sufi):

There are 7 Levels of the Nafs, mostly based on Quran itself.

1. Commanding Self (Nafs Al Ammara): Lowest level of the self and the worst. Has 2 layers: The Animal Self (Nafs Al Hayawaniyyah) and The Satanic Self (Nafs Al Iblissiyyah). “I am your lord supreme” as Pharaoh proclaimed, and “I am better than him” as Iblis said. 

2. Blaming Self (Nafs Al Lawwama). “By the One who brought the self to equilibrium inspiring it with its transgression and its consciousness.” (Sura Shams-7:8). The Prophet said, “All humans are prone to sin and the best sinners are those who repent.”

3. The Inspired Self (Nafs Al Mulhamah). Its remembrance is Hu (The Divine Pronoun). This is the self that has ascended through effort and commitment to its true way from the station of the Blaming Self to the station of the self that is constantly seeking forgiveness and repentance regardless of its guilt or innocence.

4. Secure Self (Nafs Al Muttma’ina). Its remembrance is Haqq (Truth). the Prophet said, “The Way (Deen) is in conduct,” and, “The best of you in character is the best in faith.” and also in quran “Is it not through remembrance of Allah that hearts become secure?” (Sura Raad-28)

5. Content Self (Nafs Al Radiyah). As Quran said, “Return to your Lord content” (Sura Fajr-28) and “Allah is content with them and they are content with Him.” (Bayyinah-8)

6. Gratified Self (Nafs Al Mardiyyah). As Quran said “Return to your Lord Content and Gratified.” (Sura Fajr-28).  The Prophet was asked “When shall we attain Allah’s contentment with us?” he replied, “When you are content with your Lord.”. And in Quran “Whoever is secretly in awe of the Merciful and comes to Him with a sound heart. Enter it in peace! This is the day of immortality. In it they shall have whatever they wish, and with Us is more.” (Sura Qaf-33:35)

7. Complete Self (Nafs Al Kamilah): Quran says, “Allah will bring folk whom He loves and who love Him; they will be humble towards the faithful and stern toward the deniers. They shall strive in the way of Allah and will not fear any blame from the blamers. This is the favor of Allah that He grants whomever He wishes among His servants. Allah is All-Encompassing and All-Knowing.” (Sura Maa’idah-54). And also, “Then follow me and Allah will love you and forgive your sins. Allah is the Forgiving and Merciful.” (Sura Al Imran-31) and finally, “Truly, the God-conscious ones are in gardens and rivers, in a place of truth in the presence of an Able Sovereign” (Sura Qamar 54:55)