Being Muslim, we all have read the Qur’an. We notice that every Surah and its verses carry a beautiful rhythm and powerful expression—almost like perfect poetry that conveys deep meaning.

We have heard that when Prophet Muhammad ﷺ appeared as a Prophet in Arabia, poetry was highly valued. Arabs took great pride in their language and poetic skills.

Then Allah revealed the Qur’an through the Prophet ﷺ—words that Arabs had never heard before. They understood the language, yet they had never seen such a perfect composition.

That is why some of them said (نعوذ بالله):

“He is a magician”

“He is a (poet)”

“He is Enchanted”

Because Prophet Muhammad did not receive any formal education, people were amazed that a person who could not read or write was speaking such profound words. This became a clear proof that he is the Prophet of Allah.

Some people tried to investigate where this poetry came from. Others claimed:

 “We can produce something like this.”

Then the Qur’an gave an open challenge 

Surah Al-Baqarah (2:23)

وَإِن كُنتُمْ فِي رَيْبٍ مِّمَّا نَزَّلْنَا عَلَىٰ عَبْدِنَا فَأْتُوا بِسُورَةٍ مِّن مِّثْلِهِ وَادْعُوا شُهَدَاءَكُم مِّن دُونِ اللَّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ

“And if you are in doubt about what We have sent down upon Our servant, then produce a surah like it and call your witnesses besides Allah, if you are truthful.”

Similar challenge in other surahs 

Surah Yunus (10:38)

 Surah Hud (11:13)

Surah At-Tur (52:34)

This was not just about writing—it was about matching its truth, depth, and impact.

For understanding this challenge first we need to decode:

 What is Poetry?

Writers and experts often define poetry as:

 An expression where words are arranged beautifully in a small form to convey deep meaning and

secret code words

When someone reads poetry:

They relate to it

They feel understood

They find answers within it

They feel peace

That is why people share poetry—it reflects their inner feelings.

 Now Coming to the Qur’an

The Qur’an is the Book of Allah, and there is no doubt in it.

What does the Qur’an do?

 It talks to you

You read it and feel: “This is about me”

It is a complete book, and within it there is something for every human being.

Allah made it a book of guidance until the Day of Judgment.

 I repeat: Guidance (نصیحت)

Why Guidance Sometimes Feels Hard

Advice (نصیحت) can feel uncomfortable.

Why?

Because when a person sees a reflection of themselves they don’t want to face, they escape toward comfort instead of truth.

Allah's take about on Poets

Surah Ash-Shu'ara (26:224–226)

Arabic:

وَالشُّعَرَاءُ يَتَّبِعُهُمُ الْغَاوُونَ

أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّهُمْ فِي كُلِّ وَادٍ يَهِيمُونَ

وَأَنَّهُمْ يَقُولُونَ مَا لَا يَفْعَلُونَ

“And the poets are followed by those who go astray.

Do you not see that they wander in every valley?

And that they say what they do not do?”

 Why Allah criticized poets?

They speak on every topic

They exaggerate

They often lack truth

They create things that don’t exist

But There is an Exception

Surah Ash-Shu‘arā’ (26:227)

إِلَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَذَكَرُوا اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا وَانتَصَرُوا مِن بَعْدِ مَا ظُلِمُوا ۗ وَسَيَعْلَمُ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا أَيَّ مُنقَلَبٍ يَنقَلِبُونَ

“Except those who believe, do righteous deeds, remember Allah كثيرا (abundantly), and defend themselves after they have been wronged (ظلم). And those who ظلم will soon know to what return they will return.”

 So not all poets are wrong—only those who mislead.

 Why Do People Get Misguided?

Intention (Niyyah)

Your intention decides:

Whether you seek truth

Or arguments

Or comfort

Or personal benefit

If someone reads the Qur’an:

To attack specific person and find a lead to protect their argument→ they may misinterpret

To seek guidance → they will be guided

Understanding the Qur’an

Many people say:

“First learn Arabic, then read the Qur’an.”

Yes, Arabic is the original and most powerful form.

But:

The Qur’an is guidance for all humanity

Translation in your language is enough for guidance

If your intention is sincere, Allah will guide you

Even hearing it in your own language can change you.

Scientific Signs

   1. Expanding Universe: "And the heaven We constructed with strength, and indeed, We are [its] expander" (Surah Adh-Dhariyat 51:47).

   2. The Big Bang: "Have those who disbelieved not considered that the heavens and the earth were a joined entity, and We separated them?" (Surah Al-Anbiya 21:30).

   3. Origin of Life: "We made from water every living thing. Then will they not believe?" (Surah Al-Anbiya 21:30).

   4. Iron's Origin: "And We sent down iron, in which is great military might and benefits for the people" (Surah Al-Hadid 57:25).

   5. Mountains as Stakes: "Have We not made the earth a resting place? And the mountains as stakes?" (Surah An-Naba 78:6-7).

 These are not just words—they are truths that were confirmed later.

Deep Insight

The challenge of the Qur’an was not just to:

Write something similar

But to:

Match its truth

Prove it

Sustain its meaning

 That is why no one could meet the challenge.

Final Reflection

No human can ever gain complete knowledge.

Allah gives each person only what they are meant to receive.

 So:

Keep your intention pure

Read or listen to the Qur’an

Because it truly speaks to you

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  character 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

 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

Is Allah Unjust? Quranic philosophy 

This question often arises in the human mind, especially during moments of pain, loss, or injustice. When we experience hardship, we may think:

“If everything is in Allah’s control, why didn’t He stop this? Has He been unfair to me?”

Similarly, when we witness oppression in the world—when a victim does not receive justice—we begin to question:

“Why does Allah allow oppression?

 Is Allah unjust?”

Even while reading the Qur’an, descriptions of punishment can create fear, leading to the same question:

“Why is the punishment so severe? 

Is Allah unjust?”

However, when we reflect deeply, the Qur’an provides a clear and powerful answer.

Allah Never Commits Injustice

The Qur’an explicitly states:

 (Qur’an 4:40)

 إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَظْلِمُ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ

“Indeed, Allah does not do injustice even as much as an atom’s weight.”

This means:

Allah never takes away anyone’s rights

Allah never punishes without reason

His justice is perfect and absolute

 Life Is a Test, Not the Final Reward

Allah created life as a test:

 (Qur’an 67:2)

 ٱلَّذِي خَلَقَ ٱلْمَوْتَ وَٱلْحَيَوٰةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا ۚ

“He who created death and life to test you as to which of you is best in deeds.”

This world is not meant to be perfect. If everyone received instant reward or punishment:

There would be no real test

Free will would lose its meaning

Hardships Test Our Response

Every difficulty carries a purpose. Allah allows the situation, but our response is our own choice.

(Qur’an 2:155)

 وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَيْءٍ مِّنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ... وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ

“We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger… but give good news to those who are patient.” 

So:

Hardship is the question

Your response is the answer

Those who show patience are elevated in rank.

 Why Doesn’t Justice Always Appear in This World?

In this life, justice is not always immediate. But Islam teaches that ultimate justice belongs to the Hereafter.

 (Qur’an 14:42)

 وَلَا تَحْسَبَنَّ اللَّهَ غَافِلًا عَمَّا يَعْمَلُ الظَّالِمُونَ

“Do not think that Allah is unaware of what the wrongdoers do.”

This assures us:

No act of oppression goes unnoticed

No wrongdoer escapes accountability

No victim loses their rights

Justice may be delayed, but it is never denied.

 Why Does Punishment Occur?

Allah does not punish randomly. Every nation was given:

Clear guidance

Time to reflect

Multiple chances to repent

For example, the people of Hazrat Nuh (A .S) were warned repeatedly but refused to change. In contrast, the people of Hazrat Yunus (A .S) sincerely repented, and the punishment was lifted.

The Qur’an says:

 (Qur’an 8:33)

 وَمَا كَانَ اللَّهُ لِيُعَذِّبَهُمْ... وَهُمْ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ

“And Allah would not punish them while they seek forgiveness.”

This shows:

Allah prefers mercy over punishment

Punishment comes only after persistent rejection of truth

 Human Responsibility: Are We Also Accountable?

After understanding this, an important question arises:

When we see injustice, do we only question Allah—or do we also question ourselves?

Because often:

Humans ظلم others (oppress others)

Humans fail to establish justice

Humans ignore moral responsibility

So before questioning divine justice, we must ask: “Am I contributing to justice or injustice?”

 Life as an Examination

Life can be compared to an examination hall.

There is pressure

There are difficult questions

There is limited time

A well-prepared student does not complain: “Why are the questions difficult?”

Instead, they focus on solving them.

Similarly:

A person close to Allah faces tests with strength

A person distant from Allah finds even small tests overwhelming—and begins to doubt

Why every Human is Unique? A Islamic Spirituality

A Reflection Through Asma-ul-Husna (The 99 Names of Allah)

If we look at human anatomy, we notice that humans appear very similar.
We all have two eyes, two hands, two legs, and the same biological structure.

Yet, despite this similarity, every human being is unique.

For example, if you look at human hands, they look almost identical.
But when you examine the fingerprints, you discover that every person has a completely unique fingerprint.

So the question arises:

Why are all humans unique?

Let us try to explore this question through Asma-ul-Husna — the 99 Names of Allah.

Humans as a Reflection of Divine Attributes

The 99 Names of Allah represent His attributes.
But an important secret lies here:

A human being can be understood as a mixture of these attributes in different proportions.

However, these 99 names are not the complete list of Allah’s attributes.
Allah possesses many more attributes that humans do not even know.

The Qur’an hints at the infinite nature of Allah’s attributes in the following verse:

Reference: Qur’an 18:109

قُل لَّوْ كَانَ الْبَحْرُ مِدَادًا لِّكَلِمَاتِ رَبِّي لَنَفِدَ الْبَحْرُ قَبْلَ أَن تَنفَدَ كَلِمَاتُ رَبِّي وَلَوْ جِئْنَا بِمِثْلِهِ مَدَدًا

“Say: If the sea were ink for writing the words of my Lord, the sea would be exhausted before the words of my Lord were exhausted, even if We brought another like it as a supplement.”

This verse shows that Allah’s attributes and knowledge are limitless.

Humans Carry Reflections of These Attributes

Human beings are bound to these attributes in limited forms.

For example:

One of Allah’s names is Ar-Rahman (The Most Merciful / The Most Kind).

Humans can also be kind and merciful, but only in a limited way.

Now consider this question:

If someone is kind, how would you measure how much kindness they have?

Two people can both be called kind, but their level of kindness may be completely different.

There is no exact measurement.

Understanding It Through a Simple Example

To understand this better, imagine editing a picture on your phone.

You take a photo and increase its contrast.

You might increase it to 100%.

After that, you cannot increase it further.

If you use advanced software like Photoshop, maybe the range increases to 150%, but eventually it stops.

However, in Allah’s system, there is no such limit.

It is infinite.

Only Allah decides how much of an attribute a person carries.

And this system is not frozen.

It changes with time and life experiences.

For example:

A person may be very kind today.
After a painful incident, that same person may become less kind, more kind, or completely different.

Human personality is therefore dynamic, not fixed.

But There Are Only 99 Names 

 And Billions of Humans

Now another question appears:

There are more than 7 billion humans on Earth, but only 99 names of Allah.

And throughout history, billions of humans have already lived and died.

All of them were unique.

How is this possible?

To understand this, we can look at a mathematical idea.

The Mathematical Secret

In mathematics there is a concept:

2ⁿ (Two raised to the power of N)

This power keeps increasing combinations exponentially.

For example:

2³ = 8 possible combinations

Explanation = 2×2×2 =8

If we use the numbers {1, 2, 3} as the set, the subsets are:

   1. {} (Empty set)

   2. {1}

   3. {2}

   4. {3}

   5. {1, 2}

   6. {1, 3}

   7. {2, 3}

   8. {1, 2, 3}

Similarly:

2⁴ = 16 combinations.

Now imagine:

2⁹⁹

This number becomes extremely large.

The result is approximately:

633,825,300,114,114,700,748,351,602,688

If we write it in words:

Six hundred thirty-three octillion,
eight hundred twenty-five septillion,
three hundred sextillion,
one hundred fourteen quintillion,
one hundred fourteen quadrillion,
seven hundred trillion,
seven hundred forty-eight billion,
three hundred fifty-one million,
six hundred two thousand,
six hundred eighty-eight.

Now compare this number with 7 billion humans.

It is far larger.

This means that even with just 99 attributes, the number of possible combinations is enormous.

Another Important Point

Humans cannot carry all attributes equally.

For example:

A person may be kind, but that does not mean he cannot also be strict or revengeful in some situations.

He may be kind to some people but harsh to others.

This again creates new combinations of personality.

And since human experiences change throughout life, these combinations also change continuously.

This makes the world extremely diverse and dynamic.

Now, if we look closely, we know that Allah has 99 Names.

From these Names, many combinations can be created.

Each of these combinations can also have a variable percentage, which is not fixed.

For example, we do not know the total extent of Allah’s kindness, but using this concept, we can understand that the 99 Names shown to us represent the limit Allah has allowed us to perceive.

We can consider these 99 Names as the maximum framework accessible to human understanding.

Returning to the Picture Editing Example

Imagine you have a photo that you want to edit.

In this photo, there are 99 options you can adjust: brightness, contrast, hue, saturation, shadows, and so on.

Each option can be adjusted from 0% to 99%.

Now, suppose you start editing your photo and set:

Brightness = 8%

Contrast = 3%

Hue = 5%

Saturation = 5%

Shadows = 1%

…and so on.

Can you imagine how unique this edited photo would look?

This is exactly how human personality works with the 99 Names of Allah—each combination is unique and variable, just like the settings on your photo.

Applying the Math Again

Now let’s do the math using this idea:

(2^{99})^{99} = 2^{99 \times 99} = 2^{9,801}

This means a number so large that even writing all 2,900 digits together would still not fully represent it because its bigger than that

Comparison with the Largest Known Numbers

The largest commonly known number is a googol, which is:

10^{100} \quad \text{(1 followed by 100 zeros)}

Even this googol is smaller than . In comparison it's like an ant to it

This allows us to begin to understand the immensity of Almighty Allah.

The combinations of the 99 Names, each with its variable “percentage,” demonstrate infinite possibilities.

Just like each photo can be edited in a nearly limitless number of ways, every human being is unique, reflecting the boundless attributes of Allah.

Amazing

What we observe in humanity is only a tiny reflection of Allah’s infinite attributes.

And when we see how vast these reflections are within humanity, we begin to realize how limitless the Creator truly is.

The Deeper Wisdom Behind the 99 Names

The 99 Names of Allah are not given only to describe Allah.

They are also given so that humans can understand a small introduction to the greatness of Allah.

If these attributes appear so vast and complex when we see their reflections in human beings, then imagine how infinite the reality of Allah truly is.

When black and white colors are mixed, the result is grey. Grey is often called a neutral color because it does not fully belong to either side. It sits in the middle. This simple observation can also help us reflect on a deeper spiritual idea: sometimes people try to stay in a “middle zone,” neither fully committed to truth nor completely rejecting it.

When we look at the message of the Qur'an, we see that guidance and misguidance are described very clearly. The Qur’an begins by teaching us a prayer in Surah Al-Fatiha, where believers ask Allah to guide them to the straight path.

The Prayer for the Straight Path

In Surah Al-Fatiha we ask Allah:

(Qur’an 1:6–7)

Arabic

اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ
صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ
غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ

“Guide us to the Straight Path — the path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not the path of those who earned Your anger nor of those who went astray.”

These verses show three conditions:

1. Those who are guided — people who follow the straight path.

2. Those who earned anger — people who knowingly rejected the truth.

3. Those who went astray (al-ḍāllīn) — people who lost their way.

The word “al-ḍāllīn” (the astray) can describe people who are searching but remain lost. They may keep moving in circles within their comfort zone, trying to find a path but never reaching the destination unless Allah guides them.

The Straight Path

The prayer in Surah Al-Fatiha shows that the real goal is al-Ṣirāṭ al-Mustaqīm (the Straight Path). It is not necessarily an easy path, but it is the path that leads to truth and success.

Allah says in the Qur’an:

(Qur’an 6:153)

Arabic

وَأَنَّ هَٰذَا صِرَاطِي مُسْتَقِيمًا فَاتَّبِعُوهُ
وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا السُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمْ عَنْ سَبِيلِهِ

“And this is My straight path, so follow it; and do not follow other ways, for they will separate you from His way.”

This verse shows that there are many confusing paths, but the straight path is one clear direction.

The “Middle Zone” Is Not the Destination

Some people try to stay in a neutral state — not fully committed to guidance, but not openly rejecting it either. Spiritually, this can resemble the “grey zone.” However, the Qur’an repeatedly emphasizes that true success comes from choosing the path of guidance.

Allah also explains that guidance ultimately comes from Him:

(Qur’an 6:125)

Arabic 

فَمَنْ يُرِدِ اللَّهُ أَنْ يَهْدِيَهُ يَشْرَحْ صَدْرَهُ لِلْإِسْلَامِ

“So whoever Allah intends to guide, He opens his chest to Islam.”

This means that a person may search for the truth, but the clarity of the path comes when Allah opens their heart to guidance.

Why Prophets and Scriptures Were Sent

The Qur’an teaches that prophets and divine books were sent so that people would find the straight path instead of remaining lost. Allah says:

(Qur’an 4:165)

Arabic 

رُسُلًا مُبَشِّرِينَ وَمُنذِرِينَ لِئَلَّا يَكُونَ لِلنَّاسِ عَلَى اللَّهِ حُجَّةٌ بَعْدَ الرُّسُلِ

“Messengers as bringers of good news and warners, so that people would have no argument against Allah after the messengers.”

Through prophets and revelation, humanity is shown the clear difference between guidance and misguidance.

The Final Reality

In the end, the Qur’an makes it clear that the final judgment will distinguish between those who followed guidance and those who did not. The “middle zone” is not the final destination; a person ultimately chooses a direction.

This is why Muslims repeat the prayer of Surah Al-Fatiha every day — asking Allah again and again:

“Guide us to the Straight Path.”

It is a reminder that true success lies not in staying between paths, but in being guided firmly toward the path of truth.

The Secret Behind Iblis’ Refusal – A Quranic Philosophy

 The Difference Between Worship and True Love

The story of the creation of Adam (A.S.) and the refusal of Iblis to prostrate is mentioned many times in the Qur’an. This repetition shows that the event carries a deep lesson for humanity. Through these verses, we can understand the difference between worship done for status and worship done with true love for Allah.

The Command to Prostrate

When Allah created Adam (A.S.), He commanded the angels and Iblis to prostrate before him as a sign of respect.

Surah Al-Baqarah (2:34)

Arabic 

وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ اسْجُدُوا لِآدَمَ فَسَجَدُوا إِلَّا إِبْلِيسَ ۖ أَبَىٰ وَاسْتَكْبَرَ وَكَانَ مِنَ الْكَافِرِينَ

“And when We said to the angels, ‘Prostrate to Adam,’ they all prostrated except Iblis. He refused and was arrogant, and he became one of the disbelievers.”

Here the Qur’an clearly mentions the real reason behind Iblis’ refusal: arrogance (takabbur).

The Argument of Iblis

Iblis believed he was superior to Adam (A.S.) because of the material he was created from.

Surah Al-A‘raf (7:12)

Arabic 

قَالَ مَا مَنَعَكَ أَلَّا تَسْجُدَ إِذْ أَمَرْتُكَ ۖ قَالَ أَنَا خَيْرٌ مِّنْهُ خَلَقْتَنِي مِن نَّارٍ وَخَلَقْتَهُ مِن طِينٍ

“Allah said: ‘What prevented you from prostrating when I commanded you?’
He said: ‘I am better than him. You created me from fire and created him from clay.’”

This sentence “Ana khayrun minhu” (I am better than him) reveals the hidden disease in Iblis’ heart: pride.

Iblis Admits His Rebellion

Even after knowing the consequences, Iblis chose rebellion.

Surah Al-Hijr (15:33)

Arabic 

قَالَ لَمْ أَكُن لِأَسْجُدَ لِبَشَرٍ خَلَقْتَهُ مِن صَلْصَالٍ مِّنْ حَمَإٍ مَّسْنُونٍ

“He said: ‘I will not prostrate to a human whom You created from sounding clay, from molded mud.’”

Later he even blamed Allah for his misguidance.

Surah Al-Hijr (15:39)

Arabic

قَالَ رَبِّ بِمَا أَغْوَيْتَنِي لَأُزَيِّنَنَّ لَهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَأُغْوِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ

“He said: ‘My Lord, because You have put me in error, I will surely make sin attractive to them on earth and I will mislead them all.’”

A Hidden Question

Before Adam (A.S.) was created, Iblis was known for his intense worship. According to many Islamic traditions, he worshipped Allah for a very long time and had reached a high rank among the angels.

This raises a deep question:

Why was Iblis worshipping Allah?

• Was it because of fear?
• Was it because of love?
• Or was it because he wanted status and rank?

If his worship was purely from fear, then why did he suddenly disobey when he knew the punishment?

If it was true love, then why did he refuse the command of the One he claimed to worship?

The Reality: Desire for Status

The verses suggest another possibility:
Iblis was worshipping Allah in order to gain honor and rank.

But when Allah granted a special status to Adam (A.S.), Iblis felt jealousy and pride.

He could not accept that a new creation made from clay would be honored above him.

This jealousy turned his long worship into arrogance, and arrogance destroyed him.

The Real Secret of Being Beloved by Allah

From this story, a deep spiritual lesson appears:

Being close to Allah is not only about worship.

It is about humility and love.

Iblis wanted to become the beloved, but he never learned how to become a true lover of Allah.

A true lover obeys the beloved without pride.

The Test of Humanity

This is why humanity was sent to earth.

Surah Ta-Ha (20:117)

Arabic 

فَقُلْنَا يَا آدَمُ إِنَّ هَٰذَا عَدُوٌّ لَّكَ وَلِزَوْجِكَ فَلَا يُخْرِجَنَّكُمَا مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ فَتَشْقَىٰ

“So We said: ‘O Adam, indeed this is an enemy to you and your wife, so let him not drive you out of Paradise.’

Human life thus became a test — a journey to return to Allah with sincerity. After Adam slipped and was sent down from Paradise, the children of Adam were given a chance not only to live on earth but also to strive to return to Jannah by elevating their spiritual ranks through faith, humility, and righteous deeds. The purpose is not merely to worship, but to purify the heart from pride, unlike Iblis.”

The Final Lesson

The story of Adam (A.S.) and Iblis teaches us a powerful truth:

• Worship without humility can lead to arrogance.
• Knowledge without obedience can lead to rebellion.
• Rank without love can lead to jealousy.

The real path to Allah is love, humility, and sincerity.

Only the one who becomes a true lover of Allah can ever become beloved by Him.

Qur’anic Verse:

وَاسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلَاةِ ۚ وَإِنَّهَا لَكَبِيرَةٌ إِلَّا عَلَى الْخَاشِعِينَ

“And seek help through patience and prayer. And indeed, it is difficult except for the humble.”

— Surah Al-Baqarah (2:45)

The human heart is like a mirror. A mirror does not lie — it reflects whatever stands before it. In the same way, the heart reflects whatever exists within it.

If there is peace inside the heart, calmness appears in life.

If there is faith inside, even difficulties seem manageable.

But if darkness settles within, even light begins to feel dim.

Over time, dust gathers on the mirror — the dust of mistakes, anger, jealousy, and pride. Dust can be wiped away easily, but rust is different.

To remove rust, one needs patience… and prayer.

Patience protects the heart from breaking.

Patience prevents haste.

Patience slowly calms the inner storms.

And prayer?

Prayer reconnects the heart to its Creator. When a person bows in prostration, the heart feels lighter. Prostration is not merely the bending of the body — it is the breaking of ego. And when pride breaks, rust begins to weaken.

Patience and prayer together polish the mirror of the heart.

And when the heart becomes clear — it reflects not only faces, but truth itself

Now let’s try an experiment.

Bring a mirror and shine a strong light on it. Then look at the person holding the mirror. Because of the light reflecting from it, you won’t really see the person clearly — you will mostly see the light. You won’t notice their skin tone or physical features; what stands out is the brightness being reflected.

In the same way, near Allah, your color does not matter. What matters is how much light you are able to reflect.

That is why, if your heart has become rusty and no longer feels capable of reflecting light, do not panic. Do not lose hope. Work with patience.

Allah does not want perfection — He wants your struggle. He wants to see how much you try after you realize your mistakes. He knows how to repair you, because He is the One who created you.