As human beings, we try to gain eternal satisfaction from creation but fail. Why? Well, creation is subject to change and this universe in its essence is a transient experience and so how can I attain any sort of permanence here? When I fail, that is when Mercy from my Creator comes making me realize that I have sinned. In other words, I am attributing my need for eternal satisfaction to this created universe, a Satanic approach which does not have any reality. After all, how can I expect human satisfactions from transient beings subject to perishing? Since I sinned, I am taken out of Paradise, an awareness of that which truly satisfies my human expectations in this transient experience. After puberty, when the human being starts realizing right/wrong actions and that this creation is transient and different from what I need, then accordingly learning and progress in one’s human journey happens. From my side it may seem like a test every time when I utilize my freewill to make choices with respect to my consciousness. From the Creator’s side, all these opportunities to utilize my freewill is nothing but Mercy. When I realize my mistake, I turn back to the Source of my Origin.
“They replied: Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If you do not forgive us and have Mercy on us, we will certainly be losers.” Quran 7:23
How am I going to amend my mistakes now? It is gone and in the past. I must turn to my Creator who is beyond time space and request: “Please obliterate our mistakes, cover it up, forgive us and do not take us to task for it.” As a human being, I am weak when it comes to the usage of my freewill. I cannot always act in the right way. By making mistakes, I become aware of the truth and its value. Our request is a way of acknowledging that I am being educated in this universe and so: “If you treat me with your Mercy, I will be more relaxed to continue my education here. I do not want a stain due to a failure in the past.”
The Creator of the universe continuously treats us with Mercy. Opportunities are always given; otherwise how do you explain the existence of a new morning? A new day is given to us so that we can rectify ourselves and learn better by making progress in our realization of what is true. After the human admits that they committed something wrong and are sorry for it, then ask for God’s forgiveness. The Creator’s Mercy is such that you continue to get advice from your Creator.
“O Children of Adam! Do not allow Satan to seduce you, as he did your parents, causing them to leave the Garden (Paradise), stripping them of their garments to expose their nakedness to them; he and his forces can see from where you cannot see them. We have made evil ones (Satans) allies to those who do not believe.” Quran 7:27
It’s not about until I try things and experience the universe, then I will see right/wrong. Rather, here is a rule of thumb to follow, always question:
Option 1. Can anything of this universe satisfy me? OR
Option 2. The Creator of this thing satisfies me.
My human egoistic attitude is blind to itself, but I can easily see other people’s mistakes. Example: When I see others uncontrolled anger, I judge them and talk about them which becomes a sort of gossip. Rather, I should watch their behaviors as a means to learn from. When I am involved in a wrong act, I do not see it easily. When I am the subject, I try to make justifications that it is because of so and so. What Satan does to us is that it causes us to leave the Garden/Paradise. We are created in a perfect way but because of my freewill, I can choose the non-reality option. This non-reality option has no base and value. In other words, it is not a real thing that exists out there, but an alternative presented before me so that I can appreciate the right choice. When I learn this, I make progress. Example: Ignorance of something means that I do not know it. Only when I choose to learn it, then I get to know it. Ignorance or not choosing to learn is an option. If I choose not to learn then I remain ignorant because I have chosen not to learn. When I choose to learn, then I learn it and it becomes my reality. Satan asks us not to learn the reality. When I do not learn, I remain ignorant or in Hell.
Knowledge makes us gain better capacities so we may utilize them. Satan suggests not to bother about learning and whispers us to get out of Paradise. Acknowledgment requires prior teaching. If I acknowledge after being taught then I confirm the learning or what I learn. I acknowledge the truthfulness or the falsehood to what I was taught. Knowledge is not essential to our creation but the ability to make a distinction between right/wrong. After being taught, human beings are expected not to expect eternal satisfaction from created things. “This universe cannot provide eternity” is also taught by the Creator of the universe.
How can I benefit from the guiding speech from my Creator while I am here before I die?
I have to get evidences from the universe and use it to make distinction between right/wrong. Our experiences in the universe are such that when we try to get something, as soon as we get it, it leaves us. Human beings yearn for a satisfaction with no end (Eternal Happiness) and the universe cannot provide that. If I try to satisfy my expectations from created things, then I fail. I should not expect Eternity from them. The universe and I are leaving together i.e. we are all aging.
“Children of Adam, We have given you garments to cover your nakedness and as adornments for you; the garment of God-consciousness is the best of all garments. This is one of God’s signs so that people may take heed.” Quran 7:26
Anything of this universe disappears but my consciousness remains. Example: the apple you ate to satisfy your hunger is gone. The Creator of the universe is just demonstrating that He is here to serve me anytime I need satisfaction. If I do not take this attitude of God-consciousness, then I will be naked (remain ignorant about my reality). What am I struggling for then if I will be gone from existence by death? No hope! Total despair! To overcome this despair and failure in gaining what you want (Eternal Satisfaction), you are provided with a garment from the Source of your existence. The garment is the consciousness that the Absolute Being is Eternal and ever Present in you and keeps giving you all that you want.
God consciousness remains with you means that the garment of God consciousness is the best. If you do not believe in the garment, then you remain naked and you expose yourself to Satan’s seduction. You are given things to remind you that He is the ever-Present One with you. He is continuously creating you and letting you realize that He has never neglected you.
We are fallible people and we can make wrong choices. However, what I choose now must have real existence. If I never make a mistake, I would not know that I can make a mistake. I am learning who I am through my mistakes. Before I thought that I am perfect on my own, but I am not and that is my human nakedness.
How does God demonstrate/show and present Himself to conscious beings? If I believe in Him and understand the reality that the universe (including you and I) keeps coming into existence, then I get satisfaction in knowing that such a One must be an Eternal Permanent One. Example: I get a dress which is a means of attaining temporary beauty. The dress itself is innocent and has no power to satisfy me eternally in my existence. By introducing me temporary beauty and making me experience temporary pleasure, the Creator of the universe is introducing to me that It is the Source of Existence of Eternal Satisfaction that I desire and seek. Created things and being cannot be the Source of Existence of any satisfaction for human beings. When we use the things and enjoy it, the Creator of the universe is letting us know that “as the Creator of the temporary thing that you are enjoying, the satisfaction that you experience can only be provided by Me.”
How can I correct myself from following something which does not represent any reality (Satanic ideologies/false whisperings/advertisements enticing you to consume the product as a way of gaining eternal satisfaction)?
Human beings must become aware of their Creator. That is why the Prophets came to humanity as Mercy from the Lord of the universe to remind us to be conscious of this ever-Present Creator so that you do not fall into the mistake of thinking that the tree (universe/created things) will satisfy me.