In today's world, it has become extremely difficult for anyone to maintain a positive mindset because there is a strange kind of negativity spreading everywhere.

No matter how hard a person tries, they cannot fight every negative influence around them. However, they can attract positive energy and make their life better.

But How?

First of all, the human brain cannot generate thoughts completely from nothing. Every thought is triggered by something, a memory, a feeling of sadness or happiness, the influence of the environment, or the people around us.

After hearing this, you might wonder:

"If that's true, then can I not think independently?

 Where did this very question come from? 

If I cannot create thoughts from nothing, then what about my free will?"

To understand this, let's look at Libet's Experiment (1983).

Libet's Experiment (1983)

Libet's experiment was conducted to examine what happens first: the brain's decision or our conscious free will.

Method and Results

1. Participants were asked to move a finger or their hand whenever they wished while their brain activity was recorded using EEG.

2. The surprising result was that the brain had already begun preparing for the action (known as the Readiness Potential) about 500 milliseconds before the participants became consciously aware of their intention, which occurred around 200 milliseconds before the movement.

Conclusion

This experiment sparked a major debate about whether free will is merely an illusion since the brain appears to begin the process before conscious awareness.

However, Benjamin Libet argued that consciousness still possesses a "veto power." In other words, even if the brain initiates an action, a person can still stop or cancel it at the very last moment.

From this, we learn that the human mind is incredibly complex, yet free will still exists.

But how?

The Qur'an provides a profound perspective through Surah An-Nas, where Allah warns us about the whispers (waswasah) of Satan.

Satan has the ability to cast negative thoughts into our minds, but the recitation of Surah An-Nas weakens and silences those whispers.

In Sufi and Islamic spiritual thought, the human mind is often compared to a radio receiver.

According to this analogy, thoughts are not always created entirely within the brain. Rather, they are like radio waves that exist around us or come from various sources, and our minds receive them.

This is why both good and bad thoughts constantly come to us. Our real choice is not whether thoughts appear, but which thoughts we choose to accept and which ones we choose to ignore.

From a scientific perspective as well, a person cannot suddenly create a completely new thought from absolute nothingness. Our thoughts revolve around memories, experiences, and the brain's existing neural networks.

However, we absolutely do have the ability to choose which thoughts we continue thinking about and which ones we stop.

That is why, instead of fighting negative thoughts directly, we should simply allow them to pass.

Otherwise, while trying to battle them, we may unknowingly give them more attention and strengthen them.

It is like a parasite trying to enter your home. If you do not allow it inside, it will eventually leave in search of another host. But if you stop to question it, argue with it, or become obsessed with destroying it, it may enter before you even realize it.

Instead, we should nurture and emotionally invest in good thoughts.

The more we appreciate and strengthen positive thoughts, the more they grow.

Everything has a limited capacity. When positive thoughts gradually occupy more of our mental space, there is naturally less room left for negative influences.

Negative thoughts will still come—they are inevitable—but they will become less frequent and far less significant.

This is because they are built upon deception.

Allah has already warned us that Satan makes false promises and gives false hopes. In the same way, he fills the mind with lies such as,

"Allah is angry with you," or 

"You are beyond forgiveness," or

 "You are worthless."

Therefore, our standard should always be the Qur'an and authentic Islamic teachings.

Whatever conflicts with that standard or fills us with confusion should be rejected, while we should continue searching for what is true.

Because in the end, your intentions decide your destiny. 

If we look closely at modern life, it often feels like one endless race.

A race of trends.

A race of status.

A race of relationships.

A race of fitness.

A race of business.

A race of achievements.

Everywhere we look, people seem to be running.

And even when a person wishes to move toward something good, another race appears before them. Few people want to remain where they are. Everyone wants to get ahead.

Sometimes, even worship becomes part of this race.

A person does not merely wish to worship Allah; he wishes to worship more than others, achieve more than others, and move ahead of others.

But what is the reason behind all of this?

Perhaps trust in our own actions does not seem enough.

Perhaps confidence in our efforts feels weak.

But then a question arises:

Is trust in Allah not enough?

We can make mistakes.

Our actions can be incomplete.

Our efforts can fall short.

But the One who will accept those actions knows everything.

Allah knows what is hidden in the hearts.

He knows the struggles that nobody sees.

He knows the intentions that nobody hears.

Before Him, your intention exists exactly as it truly is.

So then, why the fear?

The problem begins when we stop trusting the sincerity of our intentions and start measuring ourselves only against other people.

This is where one of Satan's subtle strategies begins.

He places us into a race.

A race where we constantly look left and right to see who is ahead and who is behind, until eventually we forget to look forward and see the road itself.

Life was never meant to be a prison of comparison.

Yes, one of the necessities of life is that we continue moving forward.

Standing still forever is not the answer.

But turning life into nothing more than a race is not the answer either.

We must keep walking.

But we must also watch the road.

We need direction.

We need purpose.

And we need peace.

Otherwise, this race will eventually exhaust us.

And one day we may discover that while we were busy trying not to lose to others, we slowly lost ourselves.

The way out of this race is Tawakkul — trust in Allah.

To keep our intentions pure.

To continue moving forward with certainty.

And even if our progress comes only in baby steps, we continue walking with peace instead of panic.

Because by running blindly, we do not win life.

But through continuous effort, focus, sincerity, and trust in Allah, we can make our journey easier and more meaningful.

This is not easy.

Sometimes your passion does not allow you to rethink.

Sometimes it does not allow you to pause and make careful decisions.

You simply want to go with the flow.

A flow that exists within you and pushes you toward your desires.

But that can be dangerous.

At high speed, you cannot focus on the road properly.

Sometimes you must slow down to cross the rough patches of the road safely.

And perhaps that is life itself.

Some days are difficult.

Some days are beautiful.

Some roads are smooth.

Some roads are rough.

The goal was never to reach the finish line before everyone else.

The goal was to reach Allah without losing yourself along the way.

If you want to understand why the world feels like a prison.

Read This Article 

                👉    IS THE WORLD A PRISON? THE SHRIMP STORY & HADITH (2956) EXPLAINED

The world's definition of forbidden love usually refers to relationships that society, culture, family, or law does not approve of. However, Islam presents a much deeper and more precise psychology of forbidden love.

Forbidden Love and Romantic Relationships in Islam

In Islam, every romantic relationship that exists outside the boundaries set by Shariah is considered forbidden. The Qur'an not only defines lawful and unlawful relationships but also prohibits taking secret lovers:

(Surah An-Nisa 4:23-25)

4:23

Forbidden to you (for marriage) are your mothers, your daughters, your sisters, your paternal aunts, your maternal aunts, your brothers' daughters, your sisters' daughters, your foster mothers who nursed you, your foster sisters, your wives' mothers, your stepdaughters under your guardianship born of your wives with whom you have consummated marriage—but if you have not consummated marriage with them, there is no blame upon you—and the wives of your sons who are from your own loins, and that you take two sisters together in marriage, except for what has already passed. Indeed, Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

4:24

Also forbidden are married women, except those whom your right hands possess. This is Allah's decree upon you. Lawful to you are all others beyond these, provided that you seek them in marriage with your wealth, desiring chastity and not unlawful sexual relations. So for whatever you enjoy from them, give them their due compensation as an obligation. There is no blame upon you for what you mutually agree upon beyond the obligation. Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

4:25

  And whoever among you cannot afford to marry free believing women, then let him marry from among your believing slave women whom your right hands possess. Allah knows best about your faith. You are of one another. So marry them with the permission of their people and give them their due compensation according to what is acceptable, being chaste, neither committing unlawful sexual intercourse nor taking secret lovers. Then when they are married, if they commit immorality, they shall receive half the punishment prescribed for free married women. This concession is for those among you who fear falling into sin. But if you are patient, it is better for you. And Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful 

These verses show that love and relationships are not left to personal desires alone; they are guided by divine limits and responsibilities.

The Hidden Spectrum of Forbidden Love

There is, however, another spectrum of forbidden love that often goes unnoticed. Allah warns believers not to let worldly attachments distract them from Him:

(Surah Al-Munafiqun 63:9)

"O you who have believed, let not your wealth and your children divert you from the remembrance of Allah. And whoever does that—then those are the losers."

Parents naturally love their children deeply, and this love is a blessing from Allah. Yet sometimes a person's attachment to their children, wealth, or family becomes so overwhelming that they are willing to cross the limits set by Allah for their sake. The love itself is not forbidden, but it has boundaries.

Allah further reminds us:

(Surah At-Taghabun 64:15)

"Your wealth and your children are only a trial, and Allah has with Him a great reward." 

Even the purest worldly relationships are a test. They are blessings, but they should never become greater than our love and obedience to Allah.

Allah also says:

(Surah At-Tawbah 9:24)

"Say, if your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your spouses, your relatives, the wealth you have acquired, the commerce you fear may decline, and the homes you love are more beloved to you than Allah and His Messenger and striving in His cause, then wait until Allah brings about His command."

The Qur'anic Definition of Forbidden Love

The definition of forbidden love in Islam is therefore extremely precise and delicate:

Any love that causes you to forget Allah, distances you from His remembrance, or leads you to cross the limits He has set becomes a forbidden attachment.

Allah is the ultimate Source of every blessing and every form of love. If a person forgets the very Source from whom all love comes, how can they truly succeed?

Many people in the modern world view love solely through emotions and personal desires, often overlooking the spiritual boundaries and responsibilities that Islam places upon it. The Qur'an, however, teaches that true love is not merely about intensity of feelings—it is about loving within the limits set by Allah and ensuring that no attachment becomes greater than our attachment to Him.

If you want to know the reality behind the moth and flame story, 

Read this article.

👉  WHAT IS DIVINE LOVE? THE REALITY BEHIND THE MOTH & FLAME STORY

Allah says in Quran 

Surah Qaf (50:16)

وَنَحۡنُ اَقۡرَبُ اِلَيۡهِ مِنۡ حَبۡلِ الۡوَرِيۡدِ

"And We are closer to him than [his] jugular vein."

 Let try to understand this verse psychologically and scientifically.

The Scientific Reflection

The heart is the center of the body that pumps blood throughout the entire body, including the brain. Without receiving blood from the heart, the brain cannot function. To send and receive signals from the body, the brain depends upon blood flow, and that blood travels through the jugular veins.

Allah says, "I am closer to him than his jugular vein."

This means that before you even feel something or receive signals from your body, Allah is so close to you that you cannot even comprehend that distance. Allah is not inside the jugular vein; rather, He is nearer to you than it in His knowledge, awareness, and closeness.

Why Do We Not Feel this Closeness?

Human beings live through many layers.

First, there is the physical layer, which we study through biology, chemistry, and physics.

Then there is the psychological and spiritual layer, which includes our desires, intentions, emotions, and inner struggles. Human beings may share the same biology, yet their behaviors and choices are completely different.

To understand this verse more deeply, we must also look at the human soul.

The Barrier of  Desires

We have been placed in this world for a test and for a limited period of time. One day, every one of us will return to Allah.

Allah has placed us in different circumstances and conditions, but between us and the awareness of His closeness stands a barrier: our desires and our attachment to this world.

When a person sacrifices his desires for the sake of Allah, he begins to feel Allah's nearness more deeply.

The Example of the Prophets (A.S.)

All of the Prophets (A.S.) sacrificed their personal desires and remained steadfast for the sake of Allah.

They fulfilled the trust of free will by willingly choosing Allah above everything else.

Their lives teach us that true closeness to Allah is not achieved through physical distance but through faith, obedience, patience, and sacrifice.

The Lesson of Eid al-Adha

Every year, Eid al-Adha reminds us of the meaning of sacrifice.

When an animal is sacrificed, its throat is cut from the front, and the jugular veins are severed.

This sacrifice is not merely a ritual. It is a reminder that just as we sacrifice an animal, we must also sacrifice the desires, attachments, and sins that keep us distant from Allah.

However, the human ego often resists this sacrifice and wants to live only for this world.

The Example of Imam Hussain (A.S.)

Then there is the example of Imam Hussain ibn Ali (A.S.), The Prophet Muhammad's (ﷺ) grandson, 

who showed the true essence of sacrifice for the sake of Allah in Karbala. Through his sacrifice, one realizes how close he was to Allah and why he is known as:

 The leader of the youth of Paradise.

This is one way of reflecting upon the depth of this magnificent verse.

Today, we can clearly see that tolerance is rapidly declining. People become angry more easily, relationships break more quickly, and even small disagreements turn into hostility.

 Why is this happening?

The decline of tolerance is not merely a social problem; it is also a spiritual crisis. There are many reasons behind it.

1. Dependence on Comfort and Machines

Human behavior has changed dramatically. People have become increasingly dependent on machines, technology, and convenience. When these comforts are unavailable, they feel weak, frustrated, and uncomfortable.

This mindset has also affected human relationships. People have become so accustomed to controlling machines that they unconsciously expect other people to behave according to their wishes as well. When someone exercises their freedom or acts differently, they feel as though they have lost control. As a result, they become impatient and intolerant.

2. The Pressure of Artificial Social Norms

Modern society often imposes artificial standards and expectations, shaping people according to a so-called "New World Order" of thought and behavior. When someone refuses to conform to these expectations, it can create an identity crisis and produce intolerance toward those who think differently.

3. The Dominance of Desires

Another major factor is the growing dominance of desires. The spirit of sacrifice has become weaker, while selfish ambitions have become stronger.

Instead of striving to fulfill their legitimate needs and defend their rights in a just manner, many people attempt to satisfy forbidden desires by using others for personal gain. To achieve this, they become manipulative, controlling, and increasingly intolerant.

The consequences are severe:

You gain more enemies.

Your stress increases.

Trust and loyalty begin to disappear.

Your belief system and inner peace gradually weaken.

The Secret of the Prophet's (ﷺ) Tolerance

Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) remained extraordinarily tolerant because he was free from the need to control people and placed his complete trust in Allah.

He:

Focused on his own responsibilities.

Remained silent when speaking would not bring benefit.

Used his time for good rather than criticizing others.

Fulfilled his duties and often forgave people for personal wrongs.

Did not fuel conflicts among people.

Prayed for the guidance of others because the door of repentance and guidance remains open for everyone.

Established justice without personal hatred or jealousy.

He did not place his hopes in people; he placed them in Allah alone.

This is why he remained patient and tolerant even in the most difficult circumstances. His tolerance was not weakness—it was spiritual strength, self-mastery, and complete trust in Allah's wisdom.

When a person adopts these qualities, they become free from the desperate need to control others. Ironically, many people seek freedom by controlling others, but true freedom comes from freeing oneself from that desire.

Even if a person is a king or ruler, authority is not a privilege of domination but a responsibility before Allah. Power is a trust, and every trust will be accounted for. When people forget this and try to create an order based on their own desires instead of Allah's justice, intolerance inevitably grows.

If you want to know why Allah called Prophet Muhammad ﷺ Mercy ?

 Read this article:

👉WHY ALLAH CALLED PROPHET MUHAMMAD ﷺ “MERCY TO ALL THE WORLDS”

What is Qadar?

Allah says in the Qur'an:

Surah Al-Qamar, Ayah 49 (54:49)

اِنَّا كُلَّ شَىۡءٍ خَلَقۡنٰهُ بِقَدَرٍ‏ 

"Indeed, all things We created with predestination (Qadar)."

If we read this verse carefully, we find that the word Qadar, translated here as predestination, carries a depth of meaning. It can refer to destiny, preordainment, measure, balance, proportion, decree, and design.

At first glance, having so many meanings attached to a single word may seem confusing. Yet when we reflect upon them, they all point toward a single reality: Allah has created everything according to a fixed and precise order. Whether we call it destiny, measure, balance, or design, each meaning describes an aspect of the same reality established by Allah.

If we look at the world through the lens of science, we know that despite having advanced tools and mathematical formulas, we can never measure anything with absolute precision. At microscopic levels, there is always some degree of variation. This is why the concept of Qadar can be understood as representing Allah's Divine Measure—a perfect plan known completely to Him.

Why is this so?

Because for Allah, everything is absolute. Nothing surprises Him, and nothing escapes His knowledge. A thing can only move or change to the extent that Allah has allowed it to. This is why the Qur'an uses the word Qadar. Everything in the universe is in a state of continuous motion and change, yet that motion takes place within boundaries established by Allah.

Within those boundaries, creation possesses movement and choice. Sometimes that movement takes a unique direction that reflects free will. However, when a thing repeatedly moves beyond the limits set for it, destruction begins to appear.

A question then arises:

Does that destruction also fall under predestination?

To understand this question, let us reflect on examples from the Qur’an and science.

Example No. 1

The Qur'an mentions the story of Prophet Salih (A.S.). His people demanded a she-camel as a sign from Allah and declared that they would believe if such a sign appeared. Allah granted them the she-camel, but He also placed their test within it. Instead of respecting the sign, they killed the she-camel.

So the question is:

Did Allah write in their destiny that they would commit this act?

And even if someone were to claim that this happened solely because Allah willed it, then another question arises:

Why did Allah provide them with a path to repentance?

Why were they given three days to correct themselves?

Example No. 2

Imagine that you purchase a car with a maximum speed of 200.

Most of the time, you drive it at 100. You enjoy the ride and continue using it responsibly.

One day, however, you become interested in racing. You drive faster, enjoy the thrill, and win a race. Encouraged by the experience, you begin driving aggressively every day.

Gradually, the tires start wearing out. The engine begins showing signs of damage. Small problems emerge one after another. These issues serve as indications and warnings.

Yet you refuse to stop.

Eventually, the car becomes completely damaged and goes beyond repair.

In such a situation, can you blame the company for giving the car a speed range of 200?

And if that speed range existed, under what conditions was it meant to be used?

This example helps us understand why the concept of Qadar is so important.

Allah wants you to move, grow, act, and make choices. But He has also established limits within creation. Every action carries consequences built into the design of the universe. When a person remains within those limits, harmony is maintained. When a person repeatedly ignores the signs and goes beyond those limits, the consequences of those choices begin to appear.

Yet Allah, in His mercy, does not immediately abandon His servants. He gives signs, warnings, opportunities for reflection, and chances for repentance. The purpose of these signs is to help a person recognize where they are heading before greater consequences arrive.

In this way, Qadar is not just about destiny. It also points toward measure, balance, design, proportion, and the limits through which Allah governs His creation.

Why?

Because Allah is Al-Latif (ٱلْلَّطِيف)—“The Most Subtle, The Most Kind.”

It means He knows every tiny detail of your life, even the ones you can’t see… like things under a microscope level, hidden deep in places human eyes can never reach.

That’s the real depth behind the word Qadar.

If you want to understand the wisdom of Al-Adl and how it works

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        👉 THE SECRET MEANING OF ALLAH’S NAME AL-ADL

The True Meaning of Acceptance 

The word "acceptance" is often used in many different ways. People frequently say that acceptance is the key to making things better and that it is a state of surrender. But what does acceptance truly mean in Islam?

Let us decode it step by step.

Every Human Is Created Upon the Fitrah of Allah

The Quran tells us that every human being is created upon the fitrah (natural disposition) established by Allah. Every person is born with an innate inclination toward purity and truth.

Allah says:

Surah Ar-Rum (30:30)

فَأَقِمْ وَجْهَكَ لِلدِّينِ حَنِيفًا ۚ فِطْرَتَ اللَّهِ الَّتِي فَطَرَ النَّاسَ عَلَيْهَا

"So direct your face toward the religion, inclining to truth. The fitrah of Allah upon which He created mankind." 

Every person is born with an innate inclination toward purity and truth.

Allah Is Light

Allah says:

Surah An-Nur (24:35)

اللَّهُ نُورُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ

"Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth." 

This means that a person is originally created with a natural potential for purity, goodness, and guidance.

However, alongside this purity exists Shaytan, who constantly attempts to corrupt and distance human beings from their original nature.

A person is born into circumstances that they do not choose and cannot control. These circumstances greatly influence how their personality develops. As they grow older, they often begin to identify completely with the habits and behaviors that emerged from those circumstances.

Eventually, many people start believing, "This is just who I am."

Their flaws and weaknesses begin to feel like an inseparable part of their identity.

One reason for this is that these unhealthy habits often provide moments of relief, comfort, attention, or emotional satisfaction.

For example, imagine a child who grows up as an orphan.

Throughout life, they face challenges that another person may never experience. Much of their life may be spent in survival mode. Even when they become adults, can their life experience truly be compared to someone who never faced such hardships?

Of course not.

Their habits, fears, and coping mechanisms will likely be very different.

Perhaps they constantly seek approval and praise because they were deprived of love and attention. Perhaps they resort to stealing because poverty and hardship pushed them toward desperate solutions.

In both cases, they are trying to obtain their share of happiness and security.

Over time, these behaviors become so familiar that they start feeling like their true nature.

Then guidance comes.

Allah opens their heart, improves their circumstances, and shows them a better path.

Now suppose that person continues stealing and says:

"This is simply my nature."

Would that be acceptable?

Of course not.

Before Islam came, many people had developed habits that Islam later declared forbidden, such as drinking alcohol.

When Islam prohibited alcohol, those people did not instantly lose all desire for it. The cravings remained.

What were they expected to do?

They were expected to struggle against those cravings.

Allah understands human weakness. That is precisely why He opened the door of repentance.

But repentance requires patience.

A person should continue resisting their sinful habits and strive to change them rather than accepting them as permanent parts of their identity.

They should not make excuses for their wrongdoing.

Instead, they should acknowledge their faults and take responsibility for them.

Prophet Adam (A.S.) and Accepting Responsibility

This is what Prophet Adam A.S did when he admitted his mistake and sought forgiveness from Allah.

Allah records the supplication of Adam and Hawwa:

Surah Al-A'raf (7:23)

قَالَا رَبَّنَا ظَلَمْنَا أَنْفُسَنَا وَإِنْ لَمْ تَغْفِرْ لَنَا وَتَرْحَمْنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ

"They said, 'Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers.'"

Likewise, Prophet Yunus (peace be upon him) acknowledged his error and turned back to Allah in repentance.

Prophet Yunus (A.S.) and Owning One's Mistake

لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ

"There is no deity except You; glory be to You. Indeed, I was among the wrongdoers." 

Acceptance is a process of self-reflection that helps a person recognize their flaws, take responsibility, and begin self-reformation. No justification can make a mistake right in the sight of Allah.

Someone may ask:

"But those were prophets. Their mistakes were not the result of long-standing sinful habits. Their errors occurred in moments of human weakness."

That is true.

However, an ordinary person often carries the weight of a difficult past and deeply ingrained habits.

Such a person may consciously struggle against their desires for years.

They fight their nafs.

They resist.

Then a weak moment arrives, and they fall.

At that point, intention becomes extremely important.

Did they genuinely try to resist?

Or have they secretly accepted sin as part of their lifestyle?

Have they created a cycle where they temporarily abstain only to return to the same behavior with no sincere intention of changing?

This is why the door of repentance remains open.

Each time a person repents, they should sincerely intend never to return to the sin.

They should ask Allah for help.

They should acknowledge their weakness.

They should continue striving against their nafs.

They should keep their intentions pure.

They should maintain hope and a positive mindset.

And they should leave the final outcome to Allah.

Never Despair of Allah's Mercy

The door of repentance remains open because Allah's mercy is greater than our sins.

Allah says:

Surah Az-Zumar (39:53)

قُلۡ يٰعِبَادِىَ الَّذِيۡنَ اَسۡرَفُوۡا عَلٰٓى اَنۡفُسِهِمۡ لَا تَقۡنَطُوۡا مِنۡ رَّحۡمَةِ اللّٰهِ‌ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ يَغۡفِرُ الذُّنُوۡبَ جَمِيۡعًا‌ؕ اِنَّهٗ هُوَ الۡغَفُوۡرُ الرَّحِيۡمُ‏ 

"Say, O My servants who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins." 

This, perhaps, is the true meaning of acceptance in Islam.

Acceptance does not mean accepting your sins as your identity.

Acceptance means accepting responsibility for your weaknesses while refusing to surrender to them.

It means accepting that you have flaws, accepting that you need Allah's help, accepting that change takes time, and accepting that guidance ultimately comes from Allah.

Allah Sees the Effort, Not Just the Result

The Quran teaches that human beings will be judged according to their efforts and striving.

Allah says:

Surah An-Najm (53:39)

وَأَنْ لَيْسَ لِلْإِنْسَانِ إِلَّا مَا سَعَىٰ

"And that there is not for man except that for which he strives." 

Therefore, a believer must reject every thought, temptation, and whisper that pulls them toward sin.

They continue striving, repenting, and returning to Allah, trusting that every sincere effort is seen by Him.

The true Islamic meaning of acceptance is not surrendering to the lower self.

It is accepting the truth about oneself, turning to Allah for help, and continuing the struggle for purification while leaving the results in His hands.

If You Want to Understand Human Nature vs. Human Desire

Read The Article: 

👉HUMAN NATURE VS HUMAN DESIRE | QURANIC PSYCHOLOGY

The Quran encourages believers to help others both publicly and privately. Neither method is condemned; both can be acts of worship when done sincerely for Allah.

Allah says:

(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:271)

اِنۡ تُبۡدُوۡا الصَّدَقٰتِ فَنِعِمَّا هِىَ‌ۚ وَاِنۡ تُخۡفُوۡهَا وَتُؤۡتُوۡهَا الۡفُقَرَآءَ فَهُوَ خَيۡرٌ لَّكُمۡ‌ؕ

"If you disclose your charities, it is good; but if you conceal them and give them to the poor, it is better for you."

This verse reveals an important balance. Public charity is good, yet hidden charity carries a special virtue.

When Charity Is Seen

There are times when giving openly serves a greater purpose.

A generous act can inspire others to be generous. A person who witnesses someone feeding the hungry, supporting an orphan, or helping a struggling family may feel encouraged to do the same. In this way, one act of charity can become the beginning of many others.

This is why the Quran does not discourage public charity. Goodness, when displayed with sincere intentions, can spread goodness.

However, public acts also carry a subtle danger. The heart may begin seeking recognition from people instead of Winning the pleasure of Allah. What begins as worship can gradually become a search for praise, admiration, or social approval.

For this reason, sincerity remains the true measure of every charitable act.

The Protection Found in Secret Charity

Hidden charity offers a unique protection.

It protects the giver from seeking attention and protects the recipient from embarrassment.

Many people endure hardship while trying to preserve their dignity. They may need help, yet they do not wish to be known as those who ask. Their poverty is hidden behind patience, self-respect, and silence.

When assistance reaches such a person discreetly, their need is relieved without exposing their struggle. The help benefits them, but their honor remains untouched.

In this way, secret charity does more than provide financial support—it preserves human dignity.

The Highest Form of Giving

Yet there is a level of charity even more beautiful.

Not only is the donation hidden, but the donor is hidden as well.

Islamic tradition relates that Imam Ali A.S would carry provisions during the night and deliver them to vulnerable families without revealing his identity. Many of those receiving the aid did not know who was helping them.

Whether one focuses on the historical details or the lesson itself, the message is profound.

The family receives food, but they do not become attached to a benefactor. They are not burdened by feelings of indebtedness toward a particular person. Instead, their hearts remain directed toward the One who ultimately provided for them.

The Hidden Hand That Points to Allah

When people know exactly who helped them, gratitude naturally turns toward that person.

But when assistance arrives through an unknown hand, the mind begins searching beyond human beings.

The recipient reflects upon the fact that Allah knew their need, Allah created a way for relief to reach them, and Allah sent provision from a source they never expected.

The less visible the human hand becomes, the more visible the care of Allah becomes.

Allah says:

(Surah An-Nahl 16:53)

وَمَا بِكُمۡ مِّنۡ نّـِعۡمَةٍ فَمِنَ اللّٰهِ‌

"Whatever blessing you have is from Allah."

And when a giver hides their identity while helping others, they diminish the prominence of their own self and affirm Allah’s greatness within their heart. This protects them from showing off and nurtures humility within them.

Because every blessing they possess ultimately comes from Allah alone.

Charity by Night and by Day

Allah praises both forms of giving:

(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:274)

الَّذِيۡنَ يُنۡفِقُوۡنَ اَمۡوَالَهُمۡ بِالَّيۡلِ وَالنَّهَارِ سِرًّا وَّعَلَانِيَةً فَلَهُمۡ اَجۡرُهُمۡ عِنۡدَ رَبِّهِمۡ‌ۚ 

"Those who spend their wealth by night and by day, secretly and publicly, will have their reward with their Lord."

The Quran recognizes that different situations call for different forms of charity. Sometimes goodness should be seen so that it inspires others. At other times, goodness should be hidden so that sincerity, dignity, and reliance upon Allah are preserved.

Wisdom lies in knowing which form best serves Allah's pleasure in a given moment.

If you are searching for the answer to "What Does Allah Want From Me?" 

Read this article.

👉  WHAT DOES ALLAH WANT FROM ME? 

QURANIC PSYCHOLOGY OF TRUST, TESTS, AND PURPOSE

Human Nature vs Human Desire

A Quranic psychological reflection on how human nature (fitrah) and human desire (nafs) shape behavior and decision-making.

To understand this matter, we first need to look at the Quran and see what Allah says about the nature upon which human beings were created. Then we can talk about human desires.

Quranic View of Human Nature

Surah Ar-Rum 30:30

فِطْرَتَ اللَّهِ الَّتِي فَطَرَ النَّاسَ عَلَيْهَا

"Allah's nature upon which He has created mankind."

Surah An-Nisa 4:28

وَخُلِقَ الْإِنسَانُ ضَعِيفًا

 "And man was created weak."

Surah Al-Anbiya 21:37

خُلِقَ الْإِنسَانُ مِنْ عَجَلٍ

  "Man was created hasty."

Surah Al-Ma'arij 70:19-21

إِنَّ الْإِنسَانَ خُلِقَ هَلُوعًا ۝ إِذَا مَسَّهُ الشَّرُّ جَزُوعًا ۝ وَإِذَا مَسَّهُ الْخَيْرُ مَنُوعًا

 "Indeed, mankind was created anxious. When adversity touches him, he becomes distressed, and when good reaches him, he becomes withholding."

Surah At-Tin 95:4

لَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْإِنسَانَ فِي أَحْسَنِ تَقْوِيمٍ

"Indeed, We created man in the best form."

If these verses are read carefully, they describe human nature 

A person cannot develop his own fundamental nature; that is in Allah's hands.

Human Limitations and Reality

A person cannot control his environment, nor can he control the incidents that happen in his life.

Example 1

If someone has an accident and loses an arm, that condition begins to control certain aspects of his life. He must follow a specific routine and develop a new perspective on life. In this matter, a person has no choice; he is compelled to adapt.

Example 2

A person whose parents, during childhood, stopped him from doing things that were not wrong may develop anger in his heart. He may begin to see his parents as unfair. He grows up, circumstances change, and life becomes better, yet the anger remains.

He sees other people living normal lives, but the perspective created by his past remains with him. Because of that anger, he starts speaking harshly even to innocent people. When told that he is wrong, he replies, "No, this is the principle. This is my nature.

Is such a person helpless in this situation?

No.

Even if he was wronged, does that give him the right to pass that oppression on to others?

Because he was told to live according to his parents' expectations, he could not fight for his own rights. The anger remained in his heart, and instead of healing it, he began violating the rights of others to satisfy that anger. But that is not justified.

Human Nature vs Human Responsibility

So what should such a person do?

This is where I understand the Quranic verses about human nature.

A human being is weak. He wants everything to become right quickly, which is why he is hasty and anxious.

He becomes distressed when hardship reaches him.

And when everything becomes good, he becomes withholding. He neither protects others from the same suffering he experienced—what is often called trauma transfer—nor does he thank Allah. Instead, he begins to see comfort as his right.

This is where human desire and human ego begin.

Example from Bani Israel

A perfect example appears in the Quran when Bani Israel said to Musa (A.S.):

"We cannot endure one kind of food. Ask your Lord to provide for us from what the earth grows."

Musa (A.S.) replied:

"Would you exchange what is better for what is lesser?"

Now reflect on this example.

Any ordinary person would not want to eat the same food all the time. He would desire to eat different kinds of food.

But why did Musa (A.S.) respond by saying that they were abandoning something better for something lesser?

This was also connected to the tone from which Bani Israel were speaking.

Before Freedom of Bani Israel

1. They were slaves of Pharaoh.

2. Their children were being killed.

3. They were rescued and freed, and saved from Pharaoh's army.

4. Allah forgave many of their mistakes.

5. They were given provision in the desert without labor.

6. They were given the shade of clouds, which guided them and protected them from the heat, while fire provided guidance and warmth at night.

They were given every kind of ease, yet they began to see more things as their right.

Their tone was also harsh. They were declaring that they could not be patient and that they must be given something else.

This was not nature; it was desire making them weak.

Yet there was no weakness in their tone.

Instead, they should have been grateful to Allah for the ease He had provided.

Their tone should not have been demanding but requesting.

They could have said:

"Pray to your Lord on our behalf that He gives us ease. We are trying to be patient, but we also desire different food."

But they rejected food that was only a test.

The Command of Allah

Then what did Allah do?

Allah admitted them into a city (town) and accepted their request. He instructed them to enter while prostrating and saying:

"Ḥiṭṭah" (O Allah, forgive our sins).

Yet they could not even say this word properly. They altered it.

They became so withholding in worship that even a single word felt heavy upon them.

Why was that?

They became so occupied with their lives that one word felt burdensome. The importance of that word disappeared from their hearts.

Even worse, instead of seeking forgiveness for forgetting, they deliberately changed the word itself.

The very word that could have been a means of salvation from their sins became something they mocked.

They began mocking Allah's commands until they even started killing the prophets of Allah.

Why was that?

Because they believed they were special and the chosen ones.

And one dangerous thing happened: they developed a habit and began to treat it as if it were their nature.

And their end was terrible.

Moral Question

Can anyone claim that he is killing another person because that is simply his nature?

Let us take an example from the famous Netflix series You.

Can a lack of love in childhood and unresolved trauma lead a person to become a serial killer?

Of course not.

Nature gives you chances.

Accept your sins.

Show accountability, but he developed a behavior that gradually became a habit.

Musa (A.S.) Example

In You, the main character was so compelled to protect his desires and himself that he never seriously considered surrendering himself to the police.

But Musa (A.S.) also killed a man accidentally while trying to defend a weak person in a moment of rage. He fled, yet when Allah sent him back, he showed concern, asked Allah for help, and Allah forgave him.

Why did Allah forgive him?

Because he was trying to protect a weak person. He did not intend to kill.

In the Quran, Musa (A.S.) said:

"I have wronged myself."

The words are clear. It was unintentional.

It was a reaction in which he could not remain patient.

This was not his usual habit.

He did not normally punish people in anger like this. Rather, it was a moment of haste.

The Quran describes human beings as hasty by nature. 

Bani Israel, demanded different food because they could not remain patient.

What began as a moment of haste later developed into a habit, and eventually they became accustomed to going against Allah’s commands.

Purpose of Human Nature

Why did Allah create human beings like this?

To test them and see who turns back to Him in that haste and uses free will correctly.

Who waits for the signs of Allah.

Who uses intelligence, reflects upon the scriptures of Allah, and finds answers according to the situation.

Who feels weak and asks Allah for help.

And who becomes strong, makes life easier for others, and remains grateful during times of ease.

Final Reflection

Human nature makes a person closer to Allah.

And human desire makes a person feel forced,

helpless,

and compelled.

And then a person escapes responsibility by labeling this weakness and dependency as "human nature" and even goes on to justify it.

If you want to understand Allah’s System vs Satan’s System

Read The Article: 

  👉   ALLAH’S SYSTEM VS SATAN’S SYSTEM: A SPIRITUAL REFLECTION