“It was in the month of Ramadan that the Qur’an was revealed as a guidance for humankind.” (Qur’an 2:185)
“O God, favor upon favor have You bestowed upon this handful of dust.” (Sufi prayer of Gratitude)
Why do Muslims undergo the sacred practice of self-purification for an entire month, abstaining from food, drink and sex, from sunrise to sunset? Essentially, this is to express gratitude to God for the first verses of the Qur’an that were revealed to the Prophet in the month of Ramadan. . .
“So I call to witness the rosy glow of sunset; the night and its progression; and the moon as it grows into fullness; surely you shall travel from stage to stage. What, then, is the matter with them, that they do not have faith in the unfolding?” (Qur’an 84: 16-19)
“A new moon teaches gradualness and deliberation and how one gives birth to oneself slowly.” (Rumi)
In the Qur’an, humankind is enjoined over and over again to develop faith through “steadfast patience.” The word in Arabic that is translated most often into patience (sabor) is actually more accurately translated as perseverance and resilience. . .
“So I call to witness the rosy glow of sunset; the night and its progression; and the moon as it grows into fullness; surely you shall travel from stage to stage. What, then, is the matter with them, that they do not have faith in the unfolding?” (Qur’an 84: 16-20)
We never know how our actions can inspire those around us. Sometimes a little bit of light is all that a flower needs to blossom. . .
“So I call to witness the rosy glow of sunset; the night and its progression; and the moon as it grows into fullness; surely you shall travel from stage to stage.” (Qur’an 16-19)
“A new moon teaches gradualness and deliberation and how one gives birth to oneself slowly.” (Rumi)
The major religions of the world teach us that a major task entrusted to us by Divinity on this mysterious journey of life is to evolve into the fullness of our being. To describe this life-long process, sages use different metaphors….
“Don’t despair over things that pass you by nor exult over blessings that come to you.” (Qur’an 57:23-25)
Here we are reminded not to get caught up in the vicissitudes of life, for “The life of this world is just a play and a passing delight, and mutual boasting and multiplying in rivalry among yourselves…” (Qur’an 57:20) We tend to credit ourselves and our own efforts (our ego-selves) for that which we gain, and to blame Allah (or fate, or bad luck) to that which causes harm or loss to us.
Don’t despair over things that pass you by nor exult over blessings that come to you.” (Qur’an 57:23-25)
The Qur’an calls us to be grateful for our worldly gifts, but to not be so attached to this fleeting realm that we lose sight of our eternal Lord. We must not forget that our bodies are just vehicles that God has given us as a loan; and this world is just a bus stop along the way from God back to God.
Don’t despair over things that pass you by nor exult over blessings that come to you.” (Qur’an 57:23-25)
The 13th century Sufi sage Attar tells the story of a powerful monarch who was exhausted by the unpredictable ebb and flow of fortunes, and he yearned for inner peace. He sought counsel from the court sages for words of wisdom that would protect him from being overly exultant and prideful in times of victory and save him from falling into the depths of depression in times of failure.
In the Name of God, Boundlessly Compassionate and Infinitely Merciful.” (The Qur’an)
“Call upon Allah or call upon the Most Merciful (Ar- Rahman), by whatever name you call upon Him, to Him belong the most beautiful names.” (Qur’an 17:110)
God calls us toward Himself through boundless mercy and grace, which embraces all of creation without discrimination. This divine compassion transcends time and space, providing for the good, the bad and everything in between…
In the Name of God, Boundlessly Compassionate and Infinitely Merciful.” (The Qur’an)
“If kindness were a visible creation, nothing which Allah has created would be more beautiful than it.” (Hadith)
my early childhood my parents taught me by word and example that the core teaching of Islam is the divine attribute of compassion, and to this day compassion is the value that I most treasure and try to express in my own life…
Bow down in adoration and draw closer to Allah.” (Qur’an 96:19)
“Recite what is sent of the Book to you, and establish regular prayer. For prayer restrains from shameful and unjust deeds, and remembrance of God is surely the greatest thing in life. And God knows well all that you do.”
~Qur’an 29:45
Prayer is common in all religious traditions and takes many forms. In Islam, regular daily prayers are a central practice (one of the five Pillars of Islam).