Author: A. Helwa

“Allah is the Lord of Grace abounding.” (Qur’an 2:105)
“The character of a friend of God is based on nothing more than graciousness and generosity.” (Sufi saying)
Allah is not an old man in the sky, He is not Zeus sitting in a cloud waiting to punish you. Allah is not Santa Claus, with a naughty list from which you cannot be redeemed. Allah is the Creator of the cosmos, the One whose mercy embraces all things, whose love embraces all hearts, whose hands heal all wounds, whose face is everywhere you turn. . .

“Those who are saved from the covetousness of their own souls, they are the ones who achieve prosperity.” (Qur’an 64:16)
“If the son of Adam were to possess two valleys of riches, he would long for a third one.” ~The Prophet Muhammad
“On those who believe and perform righteous deeds, the Lord of Mercy will bestow love for them.” (Qur’an 19:96)
It is in turning toward the Divine, being of service to others, and removing the veils of the ego that we begin to feel the love that God has always been pouring upon us. . .

“That it is He who grants laughter and tears.” (Qur’an 53:43)
“God wants to see more love and playfulness in your eyes for that is your greatest witness to Him.” (Hafiz)
“Your tears are holy; they water the rose gardens in invisible realms.” (Sufi saying)
Just as if you want light in your room you must open the blinds, if you want the shadows and dark places in your being to dissolve, you have to open your heart to the light of Allah. In essence, all of existence is just a reflection of the light of God’s grace manifesting into different forms. . .

“O my Sustainer! Open up my heart to your Light.” (Qur’an 20:25)
Open the window of your heart; the Moon will kiss you through the window.” (Rumi)

Just like a flawless emerald would not require a beautiful setting to dictate its worth, the value of your spirit is intrinsic because it belongs to God. You are not defined by the opinions of men, by mirrors or by compliments.

“Call to your Sustainer humbly, and in the secrecy of your hearts.” (Qur’an 7:55)
“O God I remembered you so much
Little by little you arrived
Little by little I departed.” ~Sufi Saying
“When we turn to God, leaving our sense of self behind, we come to see that we are not separate from this universe, that God is not in some faraway future Heaven, but that everything in this creation is reaching for and reflecting God right here and now.”

“If any do deeds of righteousness be they male or female and have faith, they will enter Heaven, and not the least injustice will be done to them.” (Qur’an 4:124)
“Woman is a ray of God. She is not that earthly beloved: she is creative, not created.” ~Rumi

The great mystic Rabia Al-Adawiyya was once jokingly asked by a group of men, “If women and men are equal in intelligence and spiritual power why are all the prophets of God men?” Rabia replied, “Oh that’s because all the major problems of the world are due to the male ego, so it only made sense!”

“But if you are patient in adversity and conscious of Him- truly this is something upon which to set one’s heart.” (Qur’an 3:186)
“The patience shown by the moon to the dark night is what keeps it radiant; the patience shown by the rose to the thorn is what keeps it fragrant.”~ Rumi
To know our Lord, we must learn to embrace our life instead of always trying to escape it. God speaks to us both through our blessings and our trials. When God blesses us with wealth and abundance He is calling us toward His names, The Most Generous (Al-Karim) and The Most Grateful (Ash-Shakur).

“Do not deprive yourselves of the good things of life which God has made lawful to you; but do not transgress the bounds of what is right.”~ Qur’an 5:87 “One regret, dear world that I am determined not to have is that I did not kiss you enough.“  ~Hafiz Islam is not only a religion, it is […]

“Render your innermost hearts pure of all dross.” ~ Qur’an 3:154
“If you get irritated by every rub, how will the mirror of your heart ever be polished? ~ Rumi
“To read the Qur’an from the heart, we have to be conscious about the level of respect and intention we bring to the book. If we approach the Qur’an with an agenda of debating others, we run the risk of projecting on the book what we want to see rather than what has been revealed. . .”

“Are you not aware that it is God whose limitless glory all creatures in the heavens and on earth praise, even the birds as they outspread their wings?” (Qur’an 24:41-42)
“To God belong the most Beautiful Names.” (Qur’an 7:180)
Gratitude is not an emotion; it is more a state of the mind and heart. States of mind are different than emotions because they are like channels on a radio that we can consciously choose to dial into. When we are only thankful when we get what we want, then our gratitude is a product of our ego. . .