Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan spoke about the expulsion of the first human, Prophet Adam, from Paradise, Satan, and human errors in the “Psychology Talks from Existence to the Search for Meaning” program he attended. Tarhan emphasized that worldly life is a simulation, while the real life is Paradise and Hell, stating that quantum physicists have begun discussing this topic. Tarhan said; “We are in a simulation in the world. Prophet Adam is transitioning from real life to a simulated life. This universe is a simulation. Quantum physicists are discussing the possibility of the universe being a simulation. They write that what we call matter is actually software, oscillation, and vibration.”
“The human who seeks and finds the truth is a developed human”
Stating that there might be some unseen reasons behind events beyond their apparent causes, Tarhan conveyed that those pursuing the truth can discern the real reasons. Tarhan; “There are unseen reasons behind events that occur; an event does not have a single cause. Unlike other living beings, humanity is not limited to what is seen; it also possesses the ability to perceive the unseen. When analyzing events in a psychological dimension, that is, in psychotherapy, we attach more importance to unseen reasons than to visible ones. We focus more on what a person doesn't say than on what they do say. We try to read a person's unspoken behaviors and feelings, rather than their outward behaviors and emotions, so that we can make correct decisions, so that we are not misled, and thus do not reach wrong conclusions. A capability that Allah has given to humans and distinguishes them from other living beings is the ability to hypothesize. These are referred to as ‘theory of mind’ in psychology. For example, individuals with advanced autism cannot form a theory of mind, cannot generate hypotheses and theories, cannot think about the background of events, and cannot ask ‘why’ or ‘for what reason’. Humans are beings who think abstractly. A person who only thinks concretely and pursues physical gratification is an undeveloped person. A person who thinks abstractly, seeks mental satisfaction, mental search, mental interpretation, or transcendent values and interpretations, is a developed person. In this way, a person who seeks and strives to find the truth is a developed person. Therefore, in this century, as individuals whose level of development has risen greatly, we need to analyze not only the primary, visible causes, but also the second, and even third, unseen causes.” he said.
“It is not right to reduce Prophet Adam’s expulsion from Paradise to merely an apple”
Tarhan emphasized the importance of seeing the true wisdom behind Prophet Adam's expulsion from Paradise and highlighted the law of entropy in the world. Tarhan; “There is no such thing as a life lived without effort or toil; such a reality does not exist. There is no 'pear ripen, fall into my mouth' situation. Life inevitably molds a person. Let's discuss what wisdom can be derived from the expulsion of Prophet Adam (peace be upon him) from Paradise. Why was such a thing done? What is the wisdom behind some of humankind going to Hell? As I mentioned before, it is necessary to seek and find the unseen reason, to find the meaning. It is not right to reduce Prophet Adam’s expulsion from Paradise to merely an apple. Analyzing events solely with the five senses leaves a person shallow. Analyzing only with the five senses is a very materialistic perspective, whereas it is necessary to analyze by connecting the unseen reasons behind the five senses. This is what is called wisdom. Unlike angels, Allah has given humans different faculties. He has given intellect, ego (nafs), and even the potential to defy Allah. Prophet Adam remains dormant in Paradise with this potential. There is no hardship; for instance, no birth pangs, no sorrow; everything is positive there. In the world, however, there is entropy, meaning opposites. If there is light, there is darkness; if there is heat, there is cold; if there is good, there is evil. Because the world was created according to the dynamic balance of opposites,” he said.
“Prophet Adam is transitioning from the real, true life of Paradise to a simulated life”
Tarhan stated that Prophet Adam came from Paradise, which is real life, to a simulated world, and he referred to the works of quantum physicists supporting this claim. Tarhan; “In the world, we are actually in a simulation. Prophet Adam is transitioning from real, true life to a simulated life. What we call this universe is a simulation. Quantum physicists are indeed discussing the possibility of the universe being a simulation. They write that what we call matter is actually software, oscillation, and vibration. Prophet Adam was sent to this world with these wisdoms. Prophet Adam was given the potential to sin, and he sinned, then regretted it, but paid the price by being expelled from Paradise. The apple there is merely a symbol. The apple represents all pleasures; including eating, drinking, and procreation. Allah could have destroyed Satan, but He gave him respite until the Day of Judgment. Humans commit sins, deny, in a short lifespan, yet remain in eternal hell. A person who says 'I don't know Him' does not step aside; they infringe upon the rights of others, for example, disrupting an orchestra while it plays… The universe is an orchestra, and they disrupt it. The Creator of the universe must take the rights of all those whose rights were consumed from that person. This is justice. Allah grants respite in this world but does not neglect. He has granted respite until death, but there is no neglect. Everything is being recorded.” he said.
“To prevent evils from finding a way into our body, it must be washed with repentance and seeking forgiveness”
Stating that humans are beings capable of making mistakes, Tarhan pointed out the necessity of cleansing these errors and wrongs with repentance and seeking forgiveness to prevent their proliferation. Tarhan; “We are human; it is not possible to be flawless. Even Prophet Adam committed an error. So, the whole task is to become aware, put ourselves in front of a mirror, and develop self-awareness in that mirror. To recognize ourselves, see our mistakes, and be able to do self-reckoning. When a person does this, they strive to be among the good. Therefore, this is justice. Sins are like viruses and bacteria. If you become aware and wash your hands when it enters the body, it doesn't progress. It doesn't mix with the veins, but if you neglect it, saying 'nothing will happen,' it enters the veins. Then it goes to the lymph nodes and spreads throughout the body. So, here, becoming aware, self-consciousness, enables immediate action. When a microbe infects your hand, becoming aware and immediately washing your hand means repentance, i.e., seeking forgiveness. When you behave in this manner, errors and evils cannot find a way for themselves. To prevent evils from finding a way into our body, it must certainly be washed with repentance and seeking forgiveness.” he stated.
“There is wisdom in the creation of evil, there is a balance of good and evil in this world”
Tarhan touched upon the wisdom behind Allah's creation of evil and drew attention to the balance of good and evil in the world. Tarhan; “What is the wisdom behind the Lord creating the evil of Satan? For example, when you make a knife, what is its purpose? To cut bread, to cut meat, but it also has some consequences: it can cut a person, kill someone… So, can you say that the manufacturing of a knife in this era is wrong? Similarly, Satan was created, but if his creation is used in the right way, Satan can lead to the discovery of human capabilities. Even if you heed it, it leads you astray, but Satan actually whips us. If there were no Satan, we would be in heedlessness. Also, there are many benefits in the creation of fire. However, if a person sometimes suffers harm from fire as a result of misusing it by taking a wrong step, one cannot say that the creation of fire is evil. This situation is referred to as the ‘problem of evil’. Many people do not believe in Allah because of the creation of evil. They say they became agnostic by reasoning that if Allah wanted to prevent evil, He could have, and since He did not, He is either impotent (God forbid) or not a good being. However, there is wisdom in Allah's creation of evil; there is a balance of good and evil in this world. Within us, there is also a good part and an evil part. There is light and darkness, hot and cold. If we don't cultivate our homes and gardens, weeds take over. Therefore, the world was created with such an order. If we are in this world, we must respect this order,” he said.