ECONOMIC DROUGHT IN SPIRITUAL EVOLUTION: 'AJAR DOOR'

It is no coincidence that the concept of faith, which plays a significant role in directing human life toward the positive today, is closely related to the notion of tekamül—a term that cannot be fully comprehended merely by reading a few pages. Many such interwoven concepts only gain meaning through deeper research.

Numerous tools have been provided for humankind, which is not alone in its spiritual evolution. Money, representing material power, is the primary medium of exchange that comes to mind. Goods and possessions must, in some way, be converted into it. Similarly, through the barter system, immovable assets can also be substituted.

Money, which is connected to our root chakra—responsible for grounding us in this world and representing our existence—enables the fulfillment of our worldly desires. No matter how much we try to categorize ourselves based on good intentions, the reality remains that, without money, some aspects of our journey in this realm will come to an end before they are even completed. Since we are not dervishes who have devoted themselves to the righteous path, as in past times, it seems impossible to overlook this crucial element of our lives.

In the region we live in, it is a fact that this medium of exchange has been facing a massive crisis in recent years. Closely tied to the education system, this situation particularly hinders the dreams of the younger generation. Millions of young individuals seeking higher education are forced to make misguided choices in the hope of securing an education. As a result, students end up studying fields they have no interest in, merely to fill workforce gaps that may not even be productive.

The knowledge acquired through education will only transform into a driving force when it is genuinely applied in practice. Many choices made unwillingly lead to long-term dissatisfaction, causing individuals to question their purpose in life: "If I cannot be happy, why am I even living?"

Societies that fail to actively utilize and direct their intellectual capacity are bound to face serious consequences. In countries where intermediate specialists, such as technicians and technical experts, are scarce, workforce shortages emerge in labor-intensive industries. For a nation's economic strength, it is essential that individuals’ talents are properly utilized. Just as there will always be someone to do every job, every individual undoubtedly has a field in which they are naturally skilled.

On the path of spiritual evolution, if a person fails to attain their worldly desires and has yet to develop awareness, they may misinterpret the situation and make misguided decisions. A striking example of this can be seen in the attitudes of those who hastily pass judgment on any event without deeper contemplation.

People who believe they alone possess the ability to judge—those experiencing ego trauma or ego shock—struggle in ignorance within the very realm of their own mistakes. Meanwhile, on the other side, there are those who embrace acceptance with a sense of rightful pride and inner peace. Since everything must remain in balance, the cycle of life will continue to present us with countless examples of these two opposing extremes coexisting within the same plane.

Financial hardship is one of the most significant factors that increase the likelihood of individuals developing anxiety disorders. People consumed by socio-economic struggles—let alone finding joy in life—may even contemplate ending their own lives. When examining annual suicide statistics, we often encounter data indicating that many causes remain unknown. This already alarming reality, unfortunately, also serves as a driving force for individuals seeking unearned wealth without effort. Such unjust gains hinder the process of spiritual evolution—unless, of course, that was never meant to be part of the plan in the first place…

The talents woven into our essence at the time of creation are gifts placed in our satchels for us to use in this worldly life. Many individuals with a natural aptitude for business begin generating income in various industries even before receiving formal education, and this cycle will continue indefinitely. While this may appear to be a free market, it often leads to the theft of many intellectual and property rights.

According to Islamic belief, which upholds the principle that knowledge must be sought out even if it lies across fiery seas, this situation stands in stark contrast. There are countless paradoxical examples, such as individuals with no formal education becoming wealthy, while highly educated individuals remain without any material assets. So, what is the reason behind all of this?

Human beings are social creatures; they need others in order to live. This is why communication holds great significance. The coexistence of the rich and the poor is a necessity—after all, if an entire society were impoverished, who would provide help to them? This question also finds support in another: Why was humanity divided into different tribes and nations? If everyone were a leader, who would carry out the work? The rich rely on the labor of the poor, while the poor depend on the wealth of the rich. In this way, a necessary interaction is established between the two, allowing for the tests and challenges of life to unfold.

Interestingly, the concepts of charity (sadaka) and almsgiving (zekat) have been taught to us as a means of restoring balance and order. Despite being provided with such detailed guidance, humankind continues to seek answers. For those who still find all examples insufficient, certain profound insights may be missing—perhaps tekamül (spiritual evolution) is intended to fill these gaps. On this journey, one must acknowledge that we are beings beyond our physical bodies. In truth, everything is one. This idea is well reflected in the verse from the Holy Book: "You will all be returned to Him."

We are all tested through our wealth, our lives, and our children. The verse from the Holy Book stating, "Let’s see if you will remain patient," serves as a great beacon of truth. Patience is a crucial virtue here. Gratitude corresponds to abundance and prosperity, while patience corresponds to illness and hardships. Undoubtedly, in the eyes of God, the most valuable among us are those with the highest level of piety (taqwa).

Mankind, persistently seeking to use knowledge for personal gain, may stray onto misguided paths. Many souls whose rights have been unjustly taken will awaken from their slumber on the Day of Judgment to reclaim what was lost.

Speaking of sleep, simply realizing that we are actually "asleep" in this worldly life can help complete a significant part of our spiritual development. For humankind, who will awaken after death, beginning to use intelligence now will be the most valuable wealth on the spiritual plane.

Our deeds, categorized based on our daily actions, take shape according to our intentions. In the heavens, there are two crucial gates that everyone should be aware of—through one, our deeds ascend, while through the other, our sustenance descends. Ultimately, this knowledge instills a sense of surrender within people.

The Creator, who is the owner of the gate of sustenance, has included the following words in the process of bringing life into existence: "Indeed, Allah is the provider of all sustenance, the One with infinite power and unshakable might." Another verse further supports this notion, reinforcing our patience: "To Him belong the keys of the heavens and the earth. He expands provision for whom He wills and restricts it (for whom He wills), for He has full knowledge of all things." It continues by stating that everyone is born with their destined sustenance.

At this point, I would recommend researching the term "spatyom" for a more detailed understanding of this subject.

The destruction of lives lived in fear and anxiety seems to be a sacred truth for those who believe in an unbalanced distribution of sustenance. However, everyone has their destined share of abundance and prosperity. If we were all wealthy in this world, how would the concept of testing work? And why are we being tested? Furthermore, if all our wishes were granted, wouldn't it lead to chaos? "That person talked behind my back; I wish something bad would happen to them." "I want all the water sources in the world to be under my control!" "What if all trade routes were monopolized by a single person?" Even writing these examples is unsettling enough, proving why the balance of supply and demand cannot function in this way.

Unfortunately, we struggle to remain calm and peaceful. Instead of developing awareness, we enjoy passing quick judgments. We want everything to go exactly as we desire, and of course, we want perfection. The anger growing within us pushes us toward rebellion. The uncontrolled ego continues to expand, waging war against the atmosphere itself.

Even in this era, many wars continue to rage across the world. But for what? This is where the "Kapı Aralık" (Ajar Door) effect comes into play. We keep trying to forcefully shut doors that should never be closed. Naturally, humanity, daring to disrupt the divine order, faces many consequences in the process.

It is crucial to reassure those struggling financially. Money is not everything. Yet, unfortunately, without it, nothing works. Though it is difficult to remain pure within a corrupted society, we must make our choices wisely and in accordance with ethical principles. Using our intellect will unlock the divine attributes already within us, allowing our sustenance to reach us more swiftly. Striving to embody the essence of a mature and righteous person will also accelerate this process. The Creator will always grant a share of His abundance to those who work and labor diligently.

The reality of death, unfortunately, gives everyone their due lesson. Gaining the competence to comment on this matter requires a deep understanding of life, thorough research into concepts such as justice and law, and a dedicated search for answers. In this complex journey, sacred texts serve as our guides, and the Qur'an, which we accept as the final revelation, contains many explicit details.

Our holy book, which unveils different hidden doors depending on the reader’s level of consciousness, holds answers to many of our questions across various levels of understanding.

Have you ever read the sacred book that serves as the source of all scriptures? I highly recommend adding it to your "things to do before I die" list. Are you ready to discover this slightly ajar door?

Tugay PEHLİVAN