Bow down in adoration and draw closer to Allah.” (Qur’an 96:19)
“Verily, when a servant stands to pray, his sins are placed on top of his head and shoulders.
Every time he bows or prostrates, they fall away from him.” (Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him)
The more we humble our egos and turn away from the illusion of separation, the closer we get to unveiling the all-encompassing oneness of Allah.
Bow down in adoration and draw closer to Allah.” (Qur’an 96:19)
“One prostration of prayer to God frees you from a thousand prostrations to your ego.”
Several times a day, Muslims bow and prostrate themselves, uttering words of praise and thanksgiving to God. In the final step, in a sitting position, the practitioner turns the head to the right and the left offering greetings of peace to angels who, Muslims believe, rush into spaces where God is worshipped.
And whoever puts all his trust in God, He will be enough for him.” (Qur’an 65:3) “Then, when thou hast taken a decision put thy trust in God. For God loves those who put their trust (in Him).” (Qur’an 3:159)
“And whoever puts all his trust in God, He will be enough for him.” (Qur’an 65:3) Iman is having faith in the unseen and trusting that God always has our best interests at heart. Faith is about tawakul, or sincere trust that whatever Allah chooses for us to experience, be it a blessing or a trial, is ultimately in service of our deeper witnessing of Him.
“And whoever puts all his trust in God, He will be enough for him.” (Qur’an 65:3)
One day the Prophet Muhammad noticed a Bedouin leaving his camel untethered. When the Prophet asked why the camel was untied, the Bedouin replied, “I have placed my trust in Allah.” Replied the Prophet, “Tie your camel to the post, then trust in Allah.”
“He is the One who sends down rain
After they have lost all hope
And unfolds His Grace.” (Qur’an 42:28) Several years ago my life was thrown into tumult by a series of difficulties which seemed insurmountable and unbearable. Being a person who is generally high-spirited, energetic, positive and happy, I was in a state of shock…
“We are closer to him than his jugular vein.” (Qur’an 50:16) “The lover visible, the Beloved invisible: Whose crazy idea was that?” ~Rumi Ever since childhood, when I first heard mention of the word “God,” I pictured Him as an old man with a gray beard living up in the sky. here did I get that image? Certainly not from my parents…
“We are closer to him than his jugular vein.” (Qur’an 50:16) The Prophet Muhammad said that Moses asked God, “O Lord, are you close enough for me to whisper in your ear or so distant that I should shout?” And God said, “I am sitting next to my servant whenever he remembers Me.” (Hadith) In every tradition, there are stories of aspirants who journeyed to distant sacred places in search of God. In the end, they realized that the Beloved they so desperately sought resided inside of them.
“Allah asked, “Am I not your Sustainer?” They replied, “Yes! You are! We testify!” (Qur’an 7:172) “…But those most devoted to Allah…have only the desire to seek for the Countenance of their Lord Most High; and soon they will attain complete satisfaction.” [Qur’an 92:17-21] Most of our lives we seek satisfaction in the things and people of this world: possessions, titles, recognition and approval from others, thrilling experiences, and the company of people who we believe will satisfy our desires…