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“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. . .

“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)
In our world of opposites, we are bound to experience both joy and sorrow. Tears are inevitable. “Thank God! tears are colorless,” exclaim the Sufi mystics. “Otherwise my pillow would betray the secrets of my heart!”

“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)
Opening to heart to God’s Light and Love is a two-way proposition. We can do the work on our end of becoming conscious of God’s presence in our life, constantly striving to act with compassion and justice towards our fellow beings, including all of God’s creation.

“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.

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

Ever since we humans arrived on earth, our heart has felt a mysterious void. No matter how many of our earthly needs are fulfilled, it still feels an inexplicable ache. Spiritual teachers explain that we have been separated from God and that is the root of our throbbing.

“Call to your Sustainer humbly, and in the secrecy of your hearts.” (Qur’an 7:55)“When my devotees ask you about Me, I am indeed close to them. I answer the call of the supplicant when he calls to Me.” (Qur’an 2:186)
The Qur’an encourages humankind again and again to call on Allah in the deepest and innermost recesses of our hearts, and to surrender ourselves with humility to God’s grace, protection, and guidance. . .

“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.”

“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 evoke the sacred name of Divinity as often as possible we will experience in course of time a deep sense of being uplifted, nourished and comforted. We begin to feel the blessing of Presence in our life.

“O Mary! Behold! God has elected thee and made thee pure, and raised thee above all the women of the world.” ~Qur’an 3:42
Woman is a ray of God. She is not that earthly beloved: she is creative, not created.” ~Rumi

There is a serious misconception in the West that women are not honored and respected in Islam. Men and women have equal spiritual status in Islam, and follow all the same requirements of the 5 pillars of faith. The feminine qualities such as loving-kindness, tenderness, fierce protection (especially of their children), mercy and compassion are all qualities reflected in the Names of Allah.

“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!”