Nafs () is an Arabic word occurring in the Quran, literally meaning "self", and has been translated as "psyche", "ego" or "soul". The term is cognate with the Hebrew word "nephesh", נֶפֶשׁ. In the Quran, the word "nafs" is used in both the individualistic (verse 2:48) and collective sense (verse 4:1), indicating that although humanity is united in possessing the positive qualities of a "nafs", they are individually responsible for exercising the agencies of the "free will" that it provides them.