Human beings have always carried curiosity within them. They constantly try to uncover the secrets and wisdom behind everything. Even if not everything, they at least want to understand the purpose of their own existence.
Whenever a person does something wrong, something good, or something that repeatedly harms them, they begin to question themselves: “Why am I like this? Did Allah create me this way?”

When they fail to find answers, they often attribute their habits and actions directly to Allah.
The answer to this was beautifully expressed by Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib A.S:

(Arabic)

 مَنْ عَرَفَ نَفْسَهُ فَقَدْ عَرَفَ رَبَّهُ

“Whoever knows himself, knows his Lord.”

Now the question arises: 

How does a person know themselves?

A human being has many faces:
One with parents
One with relatives
One with siblings
One with friends
One in professional life 

And one when standing before Allah

You might think that the real self is the one shown in front of Allah.

But in reality, the true self appears when a person forgets Allah, when they feel: “I am alone. No one is watching me.”

At that moment, their true nature comes out.
When a person recognizes this reality within themselves, they begin to understand who they truly are. Then another question arises:
If I know myself, does that mean my Lord is like me?

The answer is no.

Instead, it means asking yourself: “Am I worthy of standing before my Lord?”

Because truth is always present before Him. If a person gains the courage to face that truth, they begin to correct themselves. And in that process, they find their Lord.

Then, wherever they are—among friends, family, or society—their personality becomes connected to Allah. Because even in solitude, they know: “I am not alone.”
This awareness makes them truthful and keeps them away from falsehood.

How Are the Secrets of the Universe Revealed?

The answer is simple but powerful:
Truthfulness opens the doors.
A person who cannot be truthful with themselves cannot be truthful with Allah.

Allah says in the Qur’an:

— Qur'an 2:186

وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ ۖ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ

“And when My servants ask you concerning Me, indeed I am near. I respond to the call of the caller when he calls upon Me.”

 The Hidden Condition

 (Secret Within the Secret)

Not everyone receives the answer.
Only the one who calls upon Allah with a true and sincere heart, not just as a ritual.
When a person becomes sincere:
The universe begins to reveal its hidden realities
Their inner restlessness turns into peace
But there is a price.
These truths come with responsibility:
Not everything is revealed
Only what a person can تحمل (bear)
Secrets are given to those who can protect them
And reveal them only at the right time

What is worldly may turn into a curse,

but what is real remains forever a blessing.

(Raast)

 مجازی بد دعا بھی ہو سکتا ہے

حقیقی دعا ہی رہتا ہے۔

(راست)

Human existence runs on desire. It is desire that pushes a person to struggle and work hard—perhaps you may not fully agree.

For example, if a person feels hungry and works to get food, that seems like survival. The human body is designed this way. So where does desire come into it?

Up to this point, I agree with you.

But let me ask: Have you ever asked that person if they would eat the same food for their entire life, even if it were the best food in the world?

Surely, they would refuse.

Just like the Children of Israel once complained that they could not keep eating the same food every day—they wanted variety.

Quranic Reference – Bani Israel

(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:61)

Arabic:

لَن نَّصْبِرَ عَلَىٰ طَعَامٍ وَاحِدٍ

“We cannot endure one kind of food.” 

Now reverse the question:

If someone is told: “You can eat anything you want, except one specific food for your entire life,”

Many people would agree immediately. Others would think deeply and question why.

Does this remind you of something?

If not, let me remind you.

Quranic Reference – Adam (AS)

(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:35)

Arabic:

وَقُلْنَا يَا آدَمُ اسْكُنْ أَنتَ وَزَوْجُكَ الْجَنَّةَ وَكُلَا مِنْهَا رَغَدًا حَيْثُ شِئْتُمَا وَلَا تَقْرَبَا هَٰذِهِ الشَّجَرَةَ

“O Adam, dwell you and your wife in Paradise and eat freely from wherever you wish, but do not approach this tree…” 

According to tafsir, Adam (AS) was drawn toward that very thing which was restricted. Then Shaytan deceived him, and he slipped, leading to his descent to Earth.

Core Question

What kind of force exists within desire that made Adam (AS) risk disobedience?

Possible answers:

• It was part of Allah’s divine plan.
• A sense of curiosity.
• The attraction toward the forbidden.
• Or something deeply embedded in human nature.

Quranic Psychology Insight

Even if a human has everything…  they still want more.

So why are we here?

• Just for a test?
• To see who does good deeds?
• Or something deeper?

Quranic Answer

Arabic:

لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا

“He tests you to see which of you is best in deeds.” 

But what is a good deed?

Is it simply following Shariah?

Look at your own life:

Is there something you know is wrong, yet you still do it—and when you try to stop, you feel cravings?

For example: backbiting.

At the same time, you desire things like a new car.

Comparison with Adam (AS)

Adam (AS) had Paradise, yet one restriction.

You have blessings, yet certain limits.

Now imagine:

If Allah said: “Leave backbiting, and I will give you a new car.”

What would you do?

• Some would quit instantly.
• Some would doubt.
• Some would say: “I only want Allah.”

Final Insight

Everything comes back to desire.

What you truly want defines your path.

• If you desire the world → you chase it
• If you desire Allah → you move toward Him

The path is open.

If Adam (AS) had raised his hands in dua instead of reaching for the tree…

Would Allah have refused?

Perhaps not.

We may still not fully understand what desire truly is…

But we have come close:

Desire is not just a need—it is a test of direction, loyalty, and priority.

 Rejection is not only disrespectful or immoral 

It's is a matter of dignity and quality as well 

(Raast) 

 انکار فقط بے عزتی یا بد تمیزی نہیں 

انکار معیار اور عزت نفس بھی ہے 

(راست)

 What should I do with your satire?

My own words prick me.

(Raast)

 تمہارے طنز کا میں کیا کروں؟

مجھے تو اکثر میرے ہی لفظ چبھ جاتے ہیں 

(راست)

 Is This World Just a Game? 

 A Quranic Philosophy

Is this world real… or just a game?

The Qur’an gives a powerful answer:

(Qur’an 29:64)

Arabic:
وَمَا ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَآ إِلَّا لَعِبٌۭ وَلَهْوٌۭ ۖ وَإِنَّ ٱلدَّارَ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةَ لَهِىَ ٱلْحَيَوَانُ ۚ لَوْ كَانُوا۟ يَعْلَمُونَ

“The life of this world is nothing but play and amusement. But the Hereafter is the real life—if only they knew.”

Understanding Through a Story: Jumanji

A Powerful Connection With Our Reality

Now reflect on our own existence.

Before coming into this world, humans had a different state of existence. Then we were sent from Jannah to here, into this “worldly game.”

Each person is given a unique identity

We all have strengths and weaknesses

We are given guidance through the Qur’an

We are given intellect (Aqal) to choose right and wrong

We are given multiple chances to succeed

Unlike a game that offers only a few lives, Allah gives us countless opportunities for repentance and growth.

Some people’s journeys are connected—just like in a game where success depends on cooperation.

The Most Important Point: (Distraction)

A game is not just a challenge—it is also a distraction.

If a player forgets the mission and gets lost in the game…
they can never win.

The Qur’an reminds us again:

(Qur’an 57:20)

Arabic:
ٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّمَا ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَا لَعِبٌۭ وَلَهْوٌۭ وَزِينَةٌۭ وَتَفَاخُرٌۢ بَيْنَكُمْ

“Know that the life of this world is only play, amusement, and distraction…”

Yes, this world is like a game—but not meaningless.

• It is a test
• It is a temporary stage
• It is full of distractions

If you get lost in it, you lose.
If you stay focused, you succeed