“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)
“Assuredly the creation of the heavens and earth is greater than the creation of humankind. Yet most people understand not.” (Qur’an 17:37)
“The earth is like your mother; honor her and protect her.“ ~Hadith
The Qur’an makes it clear that the human is not superior to nature. “Do not walk upon the earth with proud self-conceit,” says the holy book. . .
“God will not change the condition of a people unless they change what is in their hearts.” (Qur’an 13:11)
“All your life, O Ghalib
You kept repeating the same mistake
Your face was dirty
But you were obsessed with cleaning the mirror.” ~Mirza Ghalib
This is one of the most unsettling quotes in the entire Qur’an, as far as I am concerned. Those of us who believe in God, expect and want God to be Omnipotent, willing and able to change anything and everything according to His Will…
“God will not change the condition of a people unless they change what is in their hearts.” (Qur’an 13:11)
When we repent, we are simultaneously turning away from sinful actions and turning toward God for realignment on the straight path of truth. It is important to always ask God for help, but we must also strive to live by the principles that Allah has called us to foster within ourselves.
“God will not change the condition of a people unless they change what is in their hearts.” (Qur’an 13:11)
“All your life, O Ghalib
You kept repeating the same mistake
Your face was dirty
But you were obsessed with cleaning the mirror.” ~Mirza Ghalib
To heal and change the conditions of social injustice and planetary degradation, we simply have to do the work of transforming the ego and opening up the heart…
“Do not sell your bond with God for so paltry a price.” (Qur’an 16:95)
“Say, what has seduced you away from your most Generous Instructor?” (Qur’an 82:6)
One aspect of the Qur’an which has puzzled me for a long time are the references and metaphors made to economics, such as the quote above, “Do not sell your bond with God for so paltry a price.” There are many such verses in the Qur’an that refer to buying, selling, and even loaning to God…
“Do not sell your bond with God for so paltry a price.” (Qur’an 16:95 )
“Stop acting small. You are the universe in ecstatic motion.” ~Rumi
The Creator of the cosmos blew His spirit into you, planting His secrets of divine love in the depths of your soul. The God of existence chose you, over all of His creation, to be a representation of His loving grace…
“Do not sell your bond with God for so paltry a price.” (Qur’an 16:95)
“Say, what has seduced you away from your most Generous Instructor?” (Qur’an 82:6)
The Qur’an talks about a sacred bond Allah established with humanity before sending them to earth. Allah gathered all the souls of unborn humanity and asked, “Am I not your Sustainer?”
It was in the month of Ramadan that the Qur’an was revealed as a guidance for humankind.” (Qur’an 2:185)
“Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship, and wants for you to complete the period [of fasting] and to glorify Allah for that to which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.” (Qur’an 2:185)
I first started fasting for Ramadan over 15 years ago, when I heard a report on NPR about how some 1.5 billion Muslims all over the world were fasting as a spiritual practice to celebrate the Holy Month when the Qur’an was first revealed to the Prophet Mohammad in 610 CE. . .
“It was in the month of Ramadan that the Qur’an was revealed as a guidance for humankind.” (Qur’an 2:185)
The Qur’an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad in the lunar month of Ramadan on the mysterious Night of Power, said to be “greater than a thousand months” (97:3). . .
“Fasting blinds the body in order to open the eyes of your soul.” ~Rumi