(Side Topic– Question: How does the pleasure of serving others satisfy my heart? Answer: Getting pleasure from helping others are requirements of my spirit. Since I am being served by my Creator, I am only reflecting the Creator’s quality of service manifested through my being and I say: “My Creator is the One that serves me.” We are deluded with the fact that we are servants of God. How can I say that I am the servant of God if everything is served to me here? All I am supposed to do here is to acknowledge the One that serves me and express my thank you to It. For everything that It is serving me is for my pleasure and benefit: “I am happy that I am created”.
- Ebaad (worshiper) does not mean that I am someone’s slave. I am created by It and everything is given to me by It. So, how can I be Its slave? I am the honorable guest of God, I am the addressee of God. God creates you and I now. God is having a conversation with you right now while you are serving food or getting food. When someone sends you a lot of presents, what do you do? I say thank you and I want to send him presents as well as a token of my recognition of the pleasure I receive. This feeling of pleasure is nothing but Mercy. My expression of pleasure in various ways is my worship. Who feels a burden or slavery to express their genuine pleasure?)
“For sure, one particle of the love of a Pre-Eternal Beloved Who, through the Names of the Most Merciful and Compassionate, has prepared a dwelling like Paradise adorned with houris for you in which all your bodily desires will be gratified, and through others of His Name has readied for you in that Paradise everlasting favors that will satisfy all the longings of your spirit, heart, mind and other subtle inner faculties, and in all of Whose Names are contained many treasuries of grace and munificence – one particle of His love may take the place of the whole universe. But the universe cannot take the place of even a particular manifestation of His love. In which case, heed this Pre-Eternal Decree which that Pre-Eternal Beloved caused His own Beloved to announce and follow it:”
In each type of creation, there are different manifestations of the qualities of its Creator. We first need to establish the concept of Absolute within ourselves. Absolute is not finite= never ending=not of the nature of this universe= not part of this universe.
A particle of Absolute= a quality of Absolute= Absolute
- As soon as I realize the Source of existence for a split second and attach my heart to it, that moment (referred as particle in the text above) becomes Absolute= Eternal. Whatever is Eternal is Absolute i.e. surpasses the whole universe.
Human beings interact with the universe through their physical side. The requirements of this universe necessitate such physical connection. When the human being dies, the physical side is put in the grave which perfectly fits the setting of this material universe. But human beings are more than their material side. There is a non-tangible side to every matter that is essential to the matter’s existence. This side consists of the human emotions, heart, mind, senses i.e. spirit. In other words, it is the human consciousness which is essential to my spirit. The spirit looks to attach itself to the Source of its existence i.e. Absolute Source.
Analogy: There is a shirt with a small defect on it. As a result of its defect, its price value goes down. Similarly, the universe presents to us a tiniest fraction of a small ugliness. If one occupies himself with the ugliness part, then he will never be satisfied with creation as a whole and will fail to see the rest of the beauty in existence. This attitude leads one to become ungrateful towards the Source of their existence.
Most of the time, everything is perfect and when one undesirable event happens, we are quick to rebel saying that God did not favor me. Some people may label the event as “evil”, which is a false understanding. The creation of the defect is not evil.
Although it is very human not to like defect but the defect helps one question and understand the other perfect side of creation which is prepared by Something: What is the Cause of the existence of perfection that I observe in the universe?
- If there were no opposites in creation, there would be nothing for me to contrast in creation. As a result, we will not be able to think about anything or utilize our freewill. When I do not exercise my freewill, I am not functioning as a human being. That is, if there are no options available for me in this universe, I do not learn anything.
- Example: In this type of creation, if there was no illness, we would not able to realize existence of health. We would not notice health or be conscious of health. I need to see opposites in order to realize that I am given options i.e. I like this/I don’t like this.
- Why do we need to realize the existence of something, for example health? Since I want to understand the meaning of my existence, enjoying health without realizing why I am given it, contradicts the purpose of my overall being. My consciousness necessitates being aware of the qualities manifested here. That is the only way I can find answers in relation to the meaning or the purpose of my existence.
People criticize the tiniest fraction of a defect rather than utilizing the defect in order to realize the rest of the non-defected area as perfect.
- The sense of disliking the defect is perfect.
If we always see defect in creation, we will never be satisfied with our existence because we are created for wanting perfection. Furthermore, solely focusing on defects will never help us solve the sense of desiring perfection. This is the reason why some think that they live in an unsatisfactory world. Yes, it is unsatisfactory because of our own perception of the world.
- Knowing that the Source of anything which is created is Absolute leads one to love what the Absolute demonstrates here and thus one feels satisfied in this universe: “Whoever makes this universe satisfies my human expectations only when I become aware of It.”
Example: There are almost 300, 000 babies born a year. No one talks about how this act of creation comes into existence. What is the Source of origin of the babies? However, as soon as there is news of deaths of babies, we are quick to have conversations on it. Isn’t this an insult to the Creator? We just remember It in times of calamities or something we deem unpleasant. What about the rest of the time, where is our gratefulness to its Mercy? It is stated over and over again in the Quran that those that are ungrateful will be deprived of Its Mercy.
What is Paradise?
Paradise is another type of the Creator’s creation. Paradise represents all human desires and expectations that cannot be satisfied or met here. Paradise is the place where the human heart, mind and senses i.e. spirit are to be satisfied. Is it possible? Let’s reason together. Why not? Can the One who created me with a sense of not wanting defect leave this feeling unsatisfied? If this feeling cannot be met here and yet It has given me this feeling, then there has got to be a way for It to satisfy it and give me comfort. Any sense of desiring perfection is a promise from my Creator that this sense will be satisfied. Thus, when I truly attach myself to the One that creates me, while feeling satisfied, it almost becomes inevitable for me to conclude that I must be created in a type of existence where all my human senses will also be satisfied by the One that gives me existence right now.
Isn’t that imagination?
Well, imagination is also created. It is given to you and therefore, you can make conclusions based on what you imagine or perceive. It does have a reality for you.
What is reality? There are different levels to understanding creation. I just need to utilize my humanity to peel the layers instead of making excuses that the One who created this universe has limited capacity.
One can become certain about another type of creation but how do I know that the promise will be fulfilled there?
I have every right to expect that there will be a type of creation where I will be fully satisfied as I am promised here. The sense of desiring perfection (or Eternity) exists and since it exists, it is a promise from the One that gives it to me that it must be fulfilled. Since that promise cannot be fulfilled within the physical conditions of this universe (given that this universe by its very transient nature is subject to death), then this awareness inevitably leads me to conclude that this promise must be fulfilled in another type of creation. The very fact that I have this desire is an evidence for me that the One that gives me this desire has given it to me so that I can be sure that this desire will be met.
Why are we having a hard time grasping this?
We mostly attribute human feelings to ourselves. We do not question the Source of existence of our desires. We are quick to decide: “This is my desire”, such an unjust thought. Ask yourself: Who created this sense of desire in you? Did your mother create it? Did your friend created it?
If I am given the sense that there should be no suffering or injustice in creation (as in the example above, babies should not die), then why cannot It create another type of creation like that where there would be no injustice?
When the scriptures mention objects such as pomegranate and fruits which we enjoy here and the like of which will be given in Paradise, it means that the pleasure I experience from eating them here if it is experienced with awareness of the Source of its existence, then I am sure to experience similar pleasurable feeling in Paradise.
What we are supposed to be doing here is to educate our senses, introduce our feelings to the One that has given them to us. We need to use our freewill to prepare ourselves to acknowledge the Source of our feelings. That is the only way to be ready for graduation. Just as in this universe, we go to school, get a degree and practice the degree post-graduation. If we have not learned anything in school, what do we practice post-graduation? Nothing. That is the difference between Paradise and Hell.
- This universe is a training ground where we are given opportunities to train ourselves to introduce God’s Mercy to our spirit. If we do not train, then we are making ourselves blind to this reality.
Does evil exist?
Evil exists in my perception. If I perceive something to be evil in creation, it is the relationship between me and my observation. Evil does not exist in creation.
How do I know evil does not exists in creation?
In the analogy above, the creation of defect (imperfection) is not evil. For in this type of creation that we are experiencing here in this universe, it is only through the imperfection that I get to know about perfection. Similarly, we may all perceive a tsunami killing thousands of people as an evil act but in its creation it is not evil. The creation of anything is good because it has a purpose. The purpose is to teach me about something that I am missing in my understanding of my purpose of being given existence or my purpose of being here in this universe. In the case of the tsunami, it teaches me how the earth revolves around the sun in perfect harmony, a phenomenon that I never question.
How do I get to conclude that everything is perfect in creation?
Only when I realize that the imperfection is there to teach me something, do I see perfection in creation. Just as when I realize that the teacher gave me the test to help me understand what I am missing in my understanding. (Me disliking the test is evil but the creation of the test is not evil.) I can only come to that conclusion when I realize that the One who gives the test is not evil. Or the One who has made the rest of the universe perfect is Merciful.
How about those who experience harm during these seemingly imperfect calamities?
This type of creation is the training place and it is transient. Everyone is given a certain time frame to experience the creation and utilize it. There is no set condition and time frame which fit to everyone equally. In this temporary training place every human being is given different opportunities to train themselves to fulfill the purpose in their existence. The results of their training will be treated Justly and Mercifully by their Creator according to their life conditions.
We see that this Creator knows what He is doing and adjusting everything Justly and Mercifully. Rather than worrying about why some people are perished in these “unwanted” creation, we should pay attention to taking our own lesson from their existence, and leave the decision about their rights to the One Who Created them and made them subject to these “undesired” conditions. We know that He is taking care of all human needs, He definitely will take care of their needs as well in the permanent creation.
What is the purpose in the existence of imperfection?
The purpose of existence of imperfection is for me to learn about the One who makes everything perfect here. Imperfection has a perfect purpose. In creation, the imperfection is a perfect creation; hence I cannot call imperfection evil. I just need to acknowledge the Perfect One.
My disliking a particular thing is the way of reaching perfection only if I question that sense and it’s opposite. Without having options to work with, I cannot utilize my freewill and thus, I will not make progress.
Common Atheistic idea:
- Since there is imperfection in the universe (an evil act), the universe is not perfect and thus if there was a God, then, It is not doing a perfect job. An imperfect being cannot be God, therefore there is no God.
As far as my relationship with the universe is concerned, creation of everything is perfect. Even the transient nature of this universe is perfect as it makes me alert that I am subject to death at every moment. The transience of this universe is the way to teach me that the Creator pushes me to uncover my innate desire of wanting Eternity: “This desire of wanting Permanent creation is according to the desire You gave me, O Perfect One! I cannot refer this desire to this transient world. Through the transience of this world do I understand that I need to refer my desire for eternal happiness to You!”
In the Scripture, Paradise is described as a notion beyond what I can imagine here since there is no like of it here. What I can be certain about is that my overall conditions will change because I see that my body is subject to destruction here. Body is appropriate to the conditions of this world but my spirit is not. When my spirit gets to the condition of what it requires to be, it must operate according to the conditions of the new creation. There my human expectations pertaining to my existence will be satisfied.
What is the point of coming in this world if we are going to die?
If someone does not think about the source of existence of his/her senses, s/he cannot solve the problem of seeking Permanence or Perfection or getting their human expectations pertaining to the purpose of their existence be satisfied.
Philosophers never discuss the source of existence of anything. They never talk about something beyond death or the meaning of death. Why am I given death and the sense of disliking death? Philosophy does not question that. Sadly, we are product of secularist philosophy. Is there any type of discipline of science which talks about the source of existence of that?
The aim of the Messengers is to teach us not to attach a love for this universe but to get ready for another creation where all desires will be met. Life in this universe has a beginning and an end.
What do I do in the interim?
- In the interim, communicate with the source: “You are there and I am here, I am happy with You. I love You!”
The nature of this world makes you feel imprisoned because this temporary creation is closed with a beginning and end.
It sounds very depressing to hear that that the universe is a closed box or prison for my humanity.
- Bravo! You are given this sense which you cannot deny. Feeling depressed and being aware of it + knowing that this universe is a closed box is a good feeling which needs to be used to yearn for Eternity.
Should I wait for graduation then?
Graduation ceremony occurs when angel of death comes and takes the humanity from body.
Is that a good desire to wait for the angel of death?
I got the sense of not liking death but the creation of death is beautiful because only through reflecting on the creation of death, am I able to conclude that there must be another type of creation where the desire for wanting Permanence will be fulfilled. That is the promise of the Creator of the desire.
Thank you. This news is making me exciting that another type of creation exists.
Yes, it is very exciting to become aware of the reality of this universe and thus seek Eternity.
With everything that has been discussed thus far is making me feel bored with the universe.
That is why a fraction of an awareness of God is much lovable than the whole universe as stated by the author of this text. Please use the sense of boredom to train yourself to be conscious of the One that gives you this sense. This sense is given to you for a reason, in fact it is given to every human being but we choose to cover it up and not pay attention to it. The Creator is educating everyone to satisfy their humanity within the conditions of this universe.
Analogy: You are in an isolated island. You feel bored, lonely and scared. Suddenly, a helicopter drops a letter. The letter says: “Hi (please insert your name), you will be rescued in one hour”. How do you feel? Great!
Similarly, this universe is not a Permanent abode. Everyone will be transported to another abode. One becomes aware of this reality only when they become aware of the promise (as discussed above about a place where all human desires will be met) from their Eternal Source of existence. Therefore, in the interim, prepare yourself to meet the Source of your existence by using each moment to acquaint your human senses with the Source of their Origin.
- Belief in God and trust in God makes you the happiest person in the universe.
Belief is not static, every moment, it needs to be refreshed. Every moment we renew our covenant with God to refresh our relationship with It.
The transient nature of this world is evidence that the Maker of this world is the Maker of a permanent abode. Just like the letter dropped from the helicopter in the analogy is a promise of an ever happy satisfactory place. While living in a transient world, I know that I will be released from this prison. The “letter” is ingrained in my feelings.
- Belief in God requires us to make tawakkul i.e. trust in It.
In conclusion, be careful not to perceive the creation of anything as evil. Don’t say I do not like the defect. Instead, say that: “my Creator does not like the defect. It has given me the sense to teach me something.” Only then can I see wisdom in its creation. By attributing the senses to the Creator paves the way for Paradise: “there must be a type of creation where all of my senses will be fully satisfied”. This conclusion is the promise i.e. Paradise. This sense is a promise to me from my Creator that I want everything perfect with no defect. Paradise is a fulfilment of the perfect place with no defect.