The Two Realms and Human Creation
Allah, in His immense power, created the universe primarily from two realms: the realm of bodies and the realm of spirits. To understand the purpose of human existence, one must first grasp their own nature – this duality between body and soul. Humanity is not merely a being of flesh and bone; its true essence lies within the heart (qalb), which originates from the unseen realm (malakut) and possesses the capacity to know Allah and love His beauty. Whoever fails to recognize the superiority and value of the heart’s essence risks squandering immense potential in worldly pursuits, falling into a grave deception. For this essence is nourished by the Hereafter; true joy, eternal existence (beka), and forgiveness are attained only through witnessing the beauty of Allah.
The Balance Between Human and Animal Soul
Within the human being resides both an “animal soul” and a “human soul.” The animal soul serves to guide and carry the human soul towards its destination, acting as a steed. Spiritual guides explain this with the analogy of a lamp: the human soul is a light radiating illumination; the animal soul is the lamp in which that light shines. While the animal soul sustains the body’s physical needs and vitality, the human soul yearns for eternal life and Allah’s pleasure (riza). If this steed – the nafs (animal soul) – rebels or its temperament becomes corrupted, the heart and body will perish. Therefore, humankind’s greatest responsibility is to control their nafs with reason (‘aql) and faith (iman), directing it towards its true purpose.
The Transience of the Steed, the Eternity of the Soul
This worldly life is a temporary stopover for the soul as it prepares for the Hereafter. The realm of bodies was created as a lodging place for spirits to gather provisions for the afterlife. When the hour of death arrives, the body (the steed) returns to dust, but the human soul remains eternal. The loss of a steed or tool does not necessitate the annihilation of the true essence – the soul. The soul, bereft of its body, either returns to its origin illuminated by the light it gained in this world, or if enslaved by worldly desires, it remains in darkness with profound disappointment (husran). A wise believer who understands this truth invests not in the transient steed but in the precious and eternal essence of the soul.