“Every soul will taste death.“ (Qur’an 3:185)
“I learned that every mortal will taste death. But only some will taste life.” (Rumi)
Death is the greatest preacher we will ever meet, for it teaches us to hold tightly to only Allah, for everything is perishing save the face of God (55:26-27). When we reflect on our death, it naturally makes us prioritize what is most important in our life. . .
“There are those whom neither business nor striving after gain can turn from the remembrance of God.” (Qur’an 24:37)
“The friend of God buys and sells in the market and marries and takes part in social interaction and never for gets God for a single moment.” ~ Abu Said ibn Khayr
In Islam, the path of self-surrender has three stations: islam, iman and ihsan. The station of ihsan – or as it is sometimes called, “spiritual excellence” – is achieved when we transcend the duality of the outer and the inner, and enter into the singular presence of God. . .
“Oh humankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you nations and tribes that you may know one another. The most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you” (49:13)
We human beings may look different, but the love we long for is the same. There is no hierarchy in Islam because we are all equal in the eyes of God. In the Qur’an, Allah speaks about how all of humankind comes from a single soul, and so the diversity in our colors and languages is not a means of creating separation between people, but rather an opportunity to experience God’s boundless creativity.
“Be just; this is closest to being God-Conscious.” ~ (Qur’an 5:8)
“With life as short as a half-taken breath, don’t plant anything but love.” ~Rumi
The Qur’an describes the Day of Judgment as the day when all human beings are resurrected to face God and to be held accountable for their good and bad deeds. Similar to biblical accounts, the Qur’an describes this day with vivid imagery.
“Pray in the small watches of the morning.”(Qur’an 17:79)
“No one knows what makes the soul wake up so happy; maybe a dawn breeze has blown the veil from the Face of God.” (Rumi)
The salat or body prayer is the “center pole” of the tent of faith, because of how it unveils our inner idols and connects us with the Divine. Prayer is like a spiritual shower that washes the dirt of forgetfulness from the spirit. . .
“Allah has caused faith to be dear to you and has made it beautiful within your hearts.” (Qur’an 49:7-8)
Allah says: “Take one step towards Me and I will take ten steps towards you; walk towards Me and I will run towards you.” (Hadith)
Faith is not something we have to obtain or earn, but rather it is a journey of unveiling what we have already been given by God.
“They ask thee concerning the Spirit. Say: ‘The Spirit is by command of my Lord. Of knowledge it is only a little that is communicated to you.’” (Qur’an 17:85)
“We have shown you the dust and concealed the wind.” (Rumi)
There are countless veils between us and God, but no veils between Him and us. The veils we experience between us and God are often created from misperceptions formed during our childhood that result in a distorted vision of reality. . .
“Do not attribute purity to yourselves; He knows best who is most pious.” (Qu’ran 53:32)
“Spend in charity for your own good. He who remains safe from his own greed will prosper.” (Qur’an 64:16)
Aside from giving charity when the need arises, Muslims that are financially capable are asked to donate at least 2.5 percent annually of their net worth, known as zakat, to the poor, as a means of preventing widespread poverty. Aside from being an obligatory donation, the word zakat is often translated as “that which purifies”…
“Assuredly the creation of the heavens and earth is greater than the creation of humankind. Yet most people understand not.” (Qur’an 40:57)
“And if all the trees in the earth were pens and the sea with seven more seas to help it were ink, the words of Allah could not be exhausted. Allah is Exalted and Mighty and Wise.” (Qur’an 31:27)
