Do you want to know where your soul resides in the seven worlds? Secrets of each world and its inhabitants, and how to ascend from one world to another?

The human being is not merely a single body living in this apparent world, but rather an extended secret across layers of existence. The soul has manifestations and forms in multiple worlds, and great scholars have indicated that God created humans as a comprehensive version, containing both the essence of earth and the divine breath. This makes humanity capable of both descent and ascent, falling when nature overpowers, and rising when inner secrets prevail. Muhyiddin Ibn Arabi described humans as a summary of all worlds—earth of the self, sky of the spirit, darkness of nature, and light of closeness. Knowing oneself means opening an intricate divine book whose secrets are revealed through struggle and purification. The soul is said to traverse seven worlds, each presenting it with a form fitting that specific realm.

The first world is the world of density and clay, bodies, senses, and desires, where the human soul manifests as an 'animalistic beast.' Most people live for food, comfort, and pleasure, making the soul a 'beast' that leads to immediate gratification and hinders ascent. The Quran compares such people to cattle, even more astray. The danger lies not in the existence of desire, but in it dominating the heart, making one forget their purpose. Abu Hamid Al-Ghazali said the heart is like a mirror, and desires are its rust. When rust accumulates, the heart no longer reflects the light of truth, making one alive in body but veiled from their inner essence.

When a seeker strives against their self and breaks free from overt desires, they enter a more dangerous world: the world of Satan, characterized by cunning, deception, and subtle embellishment. Here, the soul becomes 'satanic' as one might leave physical desires but fall into hidden, subtle desires of the self, such as arrogance, seeking praise, or wanting to be seen as righteous. This creates a greater veil. Abdul Qadir Al-Jilani stated that any door to God where one still sees their self is a closed door, as the self can adorn even obedience, making the servant rejoice in themselves rather than God's grace.

If the seeker overcomes the veil of hidden arrogance, they enter the world of predators, a realm of power, dominance, and superiority. Here, the soul appears as a 'preying beast,' with the human's concern being control, victory, and self-assertion. This can manifest in rulers, students of knowledge, or even devout worshippers who desire to overpower others in opinion or status. Many believe they have transcended the self, but they are still in this stage, having left physical desires but not the desire for superiority. Abu Yazid Al-Bistami likens shedding the old self to a snake shedding its skin, revealing a greater reality.

After purifying the heart from the love of dominance, one enters the world of the true human, where the soul begins to regain balance. It is no longer animalistic, satanic, or predatory, but the rational self created for vicegerency. Here, one first realizes they are not just a moving body but a trust on earth, and the fundamental questions arise: 'Who am I? Why am I here? Where am I going?' This is when the inner self awakens, and the 'reproving soul' (Nafs al-Lawwamah) emerges, leading to self-reproach and a refusal to return to heedlessness.

When the seeker enters the door of sincere remembrance (dhikr), their soul ascends to the world of spirits, a realm of subtlety and light, where the density of the self diminishes, and the heart becomes receptive to divine manifestation. Remembrance transforms from mere words into a state of being, where the heart itself remembers, even in silence. Al-Junayd Al-Baghdadi said remembrance is transitioning from heedlessness to witnessing the One remembered. Here, the soul transforms from a heavy element into a guiding light, leading to good.

As the heart's purity increases, the seeker enters the world of angels (Malakut), where the soul's nature shifts to one of glorification. The self becomes a servant to the spirit, and the heart leans towards obedience effortlessly, as light now predominates. In this world, one sees wisdom in everything: trials as education, withholding as giving, and delay as kindness. One begins to understand divine decrees through mercy, not mere appearance. The soul continues to evolve and purify, requiring constant vigilance.

The seventh world is the world of divine power (Jabarut) or immense closeness, a realm of awe and overwhelming light. Here, the remnants of human planning dissolve, and the servant becomes purely devoted, acting not by personal desire but under the sovereignty of surrender. One’s humanity remains, but the heart attains a different state. As Sidi Ahmad Al-Rifa'i said, 'Be with creation in body, and with God in heart.' This stage reveals the tranquil, contented, and pleasing soul, where the heart finds peace under divine decree, understanding the profound wisdom behind every event. This journey requires sincerity, opposing desires, and continuous remembrance, leading one to understand their spiritual dwelling place.

To discern which world your soul currently inhabits, examine your inner thoughts when alone. If your primary impulses are for pleasure, comfort, or bodily concerns, your soul is still weighed down by the earthly world (animalistic). If you delight in praise, feel pain when unnoticed, or seek superiority, you are in the world of Satanic deception or predatory power, respectively. However, if your heart feels remorse for wrongdoing, strives for repentance, and focuses on self-improvement, you are entering the world of the true human. If remembrance brings you peace and familiarity with God, you are in the world of spirits. If you see wisdom in trials and accept divine decrees, you are in the angelic world. Finally, if your heart remains steadfast through ease and hardship, maintaining submission without arrogance or despair, you are approaching the world of divine closeness. These signs are not definitive judgments, as one may ascend and descend, but they guide the seeker to persistent effort and humility.