Recognize your true nature [Quran 30:30]

To understand what brings us well-being, peace, and happiness, we must first understand human nature as created by Allah. Only then can we grasp what we need to cultivate well-being.

In Sura Rum, Chapter 30, verse 30 of the Holy Quran, Allah says:

فَأَقِمْ وَجْهَكَ لِلدِّينِ حَنِيفًا فِطْرَةَ اللَّهِ الَّتِي فَطَرَ النَّاسَ عَلَيْهَا لَا تَبْدِيلَ لِخَلْقِ اللَّهِ ذَلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ وَلَكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
(Surah Ar-Rum 30:30)

"So direct your face toward the religion, being devout and inclining to truth (hanif), the natural disposition (fitrah) upon which Allah has created all people. There is no altering the creation of God; that is the upright religion, but most people do not know."

Two key words in this verse require deeper reflection:

1. Hanif– Refers to one who turns away from misguidance and inclines toward the belief in the Oneness of God (tawḥīd).
2. Fitrah– The innate nature upon which human beings are created. This is the divine "operating system" programmed into our souls—our inner compass that inclines toward truth, justice, and beauty. It is the moral code and goodness with which we are born.

In other words, as human beings, we are created with a particular nature (fitrah) which naturally inclines towards and yearns for truth, justice, peace and beauty. In other words, that fitrah is to recognize the oneness of God and to actualize this truth in our lives.

 True religion does not contradict our fitrah; rather, it reinforces and gives form to it. Allah has beautifully attributed fitrah to Himself—molding us upon a design that naturally inclines toward human decency and righteousness. Our innate desire for justice, truth, and beauty is not a human construct; it is divinely embedded within us.

 This shared fitrah transcends race, nationality, gender, and economic background. It unites humanity in a common yearning—our intrinsic pull toward Allah, the Source of all goodness and perfection. However, when people fail to recognize this innate connection, they experience inner turmoil. They go against their creational design, which is why they struggle to find peace.

 A well-known ḥadīth qudsī states:

 "Verily, I created My servants as ḥunafāʾ (naturally inclined to faith). Then the satans came to them and distracted them from their religion."

 Our hearts seek connection with something greater, something eternal. When we ignore this innate longing, we may feel restless, unfulfilled, or lost. In other words, Allah, the Glorified, has placed in the hearts of His servants a longing to recognize and connect with Him.

This is why even those who achieve worldly success often feel incomplete. This is why we may often feel an emptiness even we are surrounded by people and things. True fulfillment comes from nourishing the soul with what it naturally craves—closeness to Allah. Strengthening our relationship with Him is not merely about external rituals; it is about aligning with the very essence of our fitrah.

The verse ends by saying: "Most people do not know". Why? Because we are distracted and not in touch with our true nature. Being in touch with our fitrah requires attention, reflection and inner work and modern life is full of be external noise in the environment perfectly designed to keep us unaware and distracted.

It is only by reminding ourselves regularly of this fitrah which craves union with the One can we find inner peace.