“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
In the Islamic tradition, Mary symbolizes the sacred and creative mission of every single human on earth. We are mysteriously placed here to give birth to our higher self, our inner Jesus. . .
“But if you are patient in adversity and conscious of Him- truly this is something upon which to set one’s heart.” (Qur’an 3:186)
“Seek help through steadfast patience and prayer…Indeed, Allah is with those who patiently persevere.” (Qur’an 2:153)
Our job is to transform the situation into something of personal value. Find the hidden lesson in it, find our way into the deeper meaning rather than simply waiting for an escape from it. . .
“But if you are patient in adversity and conscious of Him- truly this is something upon which to set one’s heart.” (Qur’an 3:186)
“The patience shown by the moon to the dark night is what keeps it radiant; the patience shown by the rose to the thorn is what keeps it fragrant.”~ Rumi
To know our Lord, we must learn to embrace our life instead of always trying to escape it. God speaks to us both through our blessings and our trials. When God blesses us with wealth and abundance He is calling us toward His names, The Most Generous (Al-Karim) and The Most Grateful (Ash-Shakur).
“But if you are patient in adversity and conscious of Him- truly this is something upon which to set one’s heart.” (Qur’an 3:186)
The patience shown by the moon to the dark night is what keeps it radiant; the patience shown by the rose to the thorn is what keeps it fragrant.” (Rumi)
Early in his ministry the Prophet Muhammad was in deep despair. After a burst of divine revelations from the realm of Mystery in 610 CE in a phenomenal event called the Night of Power, no new revelations were forthcoming. The prophet felt abandoned. Then, after a lapse of two years, a fresh set of revelations descended. . .
“Do not deprive yourselves of the good things of life which God has made lawful to you; but do not transgress the bounds of what is right.”~ Qur’an 5:87
“One regret, dear world
that I am determined not to have
is that I did not kiss you enough.“ ~Hafiz
Islam is a path of balance, sometimes called the “Middle Way.” There is no asceticism in Islam, and no one is asked to lead a reclusive life or to retreat from the world. . .
“Do not deprive yourselves of the good things of life which God has made lawful to you; but do not transgress the bounds of what is right.”~ Qur’an 5:87 “One regret, dear world that I am determined not to have is that I did not kiss you enough.“ ~Hafiz Islam is not only a religion, it is […]
“Do not deprive yourselves of the good things of life which God has made lawful to you; but do not transgress the bounds of what is right.”~ Qur’an 5:87
“One regret, dear world that I am determined not to have is that I did not kiss you enough.“ ~Hafiz
Ours is a beautiful and enchanting universe. Rumi exclaims that if a drop of the wine of vision could rinse our eyes, everywhere we looked we would weep with wonder. . .
And [all this befell you] so that God might put to a test all that you harbor in your bosoms, and render your innermost hearts pure of all dross: for God is aware of all that is in hearts. ~ Qur’an 3:154
“If you get irritated by every rub, how will the mirror of your heart ever be polished?” ~ Rumi
The above passage from the Qur’an is referring to a specific situation that arose among Mohammad and his followers during the Battle of Uhud, when a group of the Prophet’s soldiers “was stirred to anxiety by their own feelings, moved by wrong suspicions of Allah – suspicions due to ignorance.” (3:154)
“Render your innermost hearts pure of all dross.” ~ Qur’an 3:154
“If you get irritated by every rub, how will the mirror of your heart ever be polished? ~ Rumi
“To read the Qur’an from the heart, we have to be conscious about the level of respect and intention we bring to the book. If we approach the Qur’an with an agenda of debating others, we run the risk of projecting on the book what we want to see rather than what has been revealed. . .”
“Render your innermost hearts pure of all dross.” ~ Qur’an 3:154
“If you get irritated by every rub, how will the mirror of your heart ever be polished?” ~ Rumi
“The Prophet assures us that we shall receive abundant help and guidance from Spirit. Take one step towards God and Divinity takes ten steps towards you. . .”