Everything you should know about lights and Allah (why we were sent to earth, not Jannah)
As-salamu alaykum. Here’s a simple explanation about lights and Allah, insha’Allah helpful. When someone sins, a black spot appears on the heart. Tawbah (repentance), istighfār, and reciting the Qur’an remove these spots-like medicine that cleanses the heart-and increase one’s نور (light) for the Day of Judgment. There are three states of the nafs: 1. The Evil-Commanding Soul encourages sin. Black spots form when the sin is committed, especially if repeated. 2. The Blaming Soul feels regret and returns to Allah with tawbah, istighfār and good deeds, which erase those black spots from the heart. 3. The Peaceful Soul (al-nafs al-mutmaʾinnah) is the best state. It resists temptation, remains polished by dhikr and Qur’an, and is beloved by Allah. The greatest blessing of Jannah is seeing the Face of Allah. Allah is نور, and we must gather نور to be able to behold Him in Jannah. If a person attains ihsan, they will be granted that honor, Allahu a’lam. On the Day of Judgment people will cross the Sirat bridge after the Prophet ﷺ. It is there that destiny toward Jannah or Hell will be determined. When people step on the Sirat their lights will be revealed: strong believers will have bright, powerful light and cross swiftly; weaker believers will have smaller, flickering light; hypocrites may appear to have light but it will be taken from them at the Sirat and they will fall. Speeds vary-from blink of an eye to walking or crawling-based on the amount of نور each heart carries. The bridge is described as very narrow and difficult, with hooks that catch sinners; those weighed down by sins and with less light will struggle more and may be held by the hooks representing their misdeeds. Experiencing Hell is terrifying, but there is always hope in Allah’s mercy-He may forgive or admit people to Jannah by His wisdom and mercy. Light and darkness in the heart come in degrees. Strong, practicing Muslims tend to have strong نور in their hearts. New or weak believers have a brief light. Those who are unaware or who don’t know the truth properly are neutral and will be judged by Allah according to what’s truly in their hearts. Those who know the truth and reject it out of arrogance fall into darkness. Tyrants or corrupt leaders, like Fir‘awn, are described as being in deep darkness. Allah alone knows what is in people’s hearts and judges between light and darkness; hearts that are spiritually dead can only be revived by Allah’s guidance and mercy. Allah expands hearts to receive Islam, guidance, and tranquility. Remember: “Every sin leaves a black mark on the heart. If the person repents, it is removed; if not, it grows until it blinds the heart.” The balance of the heart is not fixed-it can strengthen or weaken. Allah sends guidance as نور within the heart, which helps us distinguish truth from falsehood and supports us in crossing the Sirat and seeing Allah. A simple dua to ask for light: “O Allah, place light in my heart, light in my sight, light in my hearing, light on my right and left, light above and below, light in front and behind me. O Allah, grant me light.” May Allah increase our نور, forgive our sins, and make our hearts firm upon guidance. Ameen.