Secrets of Divine Love: A Spiritual Journey into the Heart of Islam

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Secrets of Divine Love Journal will follow chapter-by-chapter the Secrets of Divine Love book. The journal has additional reflections, stories, and quotes while supplementing each chapter with reflective prompts alongside ample space for the reader to journal. Each chapter of the Secrets of Divine Love Journal starts with a quote from Secrets of Divine Love alongside a verse of the Qur’an followed by a story and reflection, a heart-opening prayer, journal prompts, a quote to contemplate upon, and a closing prayer of gratitude. have said that the word Rahman linguistically implies that it is happening in the here and now.11 In other words, Allah is loving, caring, and merciful not just in a general sense, but in this very moment right now.12 Allah emphasizes His name, The Most Merciful (Ar-Rahman), over His name, The Most Loving (Al-Wadud) because Rahman is all- encompassing and present in all places and times. Love is not separate from but enfolded into the meaning of Rahman. “Limitless is your Lord in His Mercy” QUR’AN 6:147 Allah’s Rahman is like the sky, it covers everything in existence, including us and the worst of our sins. We were created from Allah’s mercy, and the Qur’an was sent like a ladder from Heaven to Earth, so that we could get closer to the Divine. Allah has opened the door for us; it is up to us whether we walk into the palace of His mercy and love. The Importance of Divine Justice It is important to understand that God’s mercy and justice go hand in hand. The word for justice in Arabic is ‘adl, which at its root means “to proportion, to create symmetry, to be equitable.” In other words, harmony and balance are dependent on justice. Jewish mystics metaphorically describe God’s justice as scolding hot water that, if poured on its own into a clay vessel, would break it. God’s mercy is described as freezing cold water; if poured on its own into a clay vessel, it would also break it. But if you pour them together, a neutralizing balance is created, preventing the vessel from breaking. The clay vessel in this story is a metaphor for the human heart, which is unable to contain only God’s mercy or only God’s justice. If God was only merciful there would be chaos on Earth because there would be no accountability; however, if God was only just there would be no one on Earth because no human being is perfect. As the Qur’an says, “If God were to punish people for their deeds immediately, not one creature would have survived on Earth. However, He has given them a respite for an appointed time and when their term comes to an end, let it be known that God watches over His servants” (35:45). It is in bringing together God’s justice and mercy that the possibility for harmony is created. God’s Mercy Gives Us More Than We Deserve If justice is giving you what you deserve, then mercy is when you are given more than you deserve or could ever earn. By virtue of His infinite generosity, Allah is always looking to multiply the rewards for our good deeds, and minimize our wrongs. As the Qur’an says, “Whoever brings a good deed, he shall have ten like it, and whoever brings an evil deed, he shall be recompensed only with the like of it; and they shall not be dealt with unjustly” (6:160). Despite the countless displays of God’s unending mercy, some people still proclaim that God is unjust. However, God by His very definition cannot be unjust to us. Justice is when you get exactly what you deserve, but what can we earn in relationship to a God who needs nothing and gives us everything? Can you pray enough to the One who gave you a tongue, a mouth, a body and an existence? How can God be unjust if He takes something from you, when He is the owner of everything in existence including you? God is not unjust, it is we who are unjust. We are the ones who withhold from God what He already owns. As the Qur’an says, it is we who have “wronged ourselves” with choices that we have made (7:23). It is not God who oppresses us. God makes this clear when He says, “Oh My servants! I have forbidden oppression for Myself, and I have made it forbidden amongst you, so do not oppress one another.”13 We must remember that everything we do, say, or give to Allah already belongs to Him. God doesn’t owe us a single thing and yet He constantly gives to us, breathes life into us, loves and cares for Secrets of Divine Love is a masterful map of the landscape of the soul on its journey home to the One who both transcends and dwells within all that is.”

Secrets of Divine Love by A. Helwa - Audiobook | Scribd Secrets of Divine Love by A. Helwa - Audiobook | Scribd

You Are Going to Die ...But You Were Not Made for Death Reflection: Contemplating Death Chapter 12—The Mysteries of Heaven and Hell The Deeper Dimensions of Heaven and Hell Mystical Symbols and Metaphors We Put Ourselves in the Fire We Cannot Predict the Eternal Destination of Others God’s Mercy Encompasses All Things Reflection: Reflecting Heaven on Earth You Are Loved You Matter God Loves You Unconditionally You Already Have Everything You Need You Have a Divine Purpose Appendix Prayer of Light The 99 Divine Names of Allah Suggested Reading Notes BibliographyGod does not test us because He hates us, but because He loves us and sees in us a potential that can only be manifested and unveiled through the fires of purification. Just as muscle must tear to grow, the friction between sin and our inner holiness creates the conditions for spiritual growth". A Few Things to Consider Although this book will walk you through major concepts of Islamic spirituality, it is not a textbook on Islam. Instead of emphasizing every aspect of a Muslim’s spiritual practice, it highlights inspirational and practical insights from the Qur’an and Islamic tradition. However, before we jump into the ocean of divine love, there are a few stylistic things that I would like to further clarify to avoid any confusion. 1. I use Allah and God interchangeably as a means of articulating to the English speaker that God, the one transcendent omni- present reality, and Allah are one and the same. Although in Arabic the word Allah has many connotations that the English word “God” does not have, it felt important to use both, since the majority of Muslims are not born Arabic speakers. Also, since Allah transcends all language, I will often speak metaphorically in expressing different aspects of His holy qualities by using symbols and metaphors. 2. After the words “Prophet Muhammad,” “Prophet,” or “Muhammad” you will find the following Arabic symbol, , which stands for salla Allahu alayhi wa-sallam and translates to “Peace and blessings be upon him.” This emblem is included in the text because Allah says in the Qur’an to send blessings upon the Prophet every time his name is mentioned. As the Qur’an says, “Allah and His angels shower blessings upon the Prophet. Oh you who believe, send blessings on him and salute him with worthy greetings of peace” (33:56). In a sense, when we send blessings upon the Prophet we are following the sacred path (sunnah) of Allah and His angels. 3. Outside of reciting the words of the Qur’an, whenever the Prophet Muhammad spoke, his words were referred to as Hadith. These “Prophetic sayings” paired with the written

of Divine Love Journal: Into The Heart of Review Buku Secrets of Divine Love Journal: Into The Heart of

The Secrets of Divine Love Journal will help you to reflect upon and enjoy your faith from a more holistic perspective. You will learn even more about the pillars, principles, and practices within the Islamic tradition through the Qur’an, hadith, spiritual teaching stories, and sayings from mystics like Imam Ghazali, Ibn Arabi, Rumi and countless others. The worst thing we can do is think that something we’re feeling is so wrong and horrible that we isolate ourselves from God, thinking we’re not worthy of being in His presence. We must remember that Allah doesn’t expect us to be perfect; after all, our sense of self-worth is not dependent on us, but on God. When we bring our poverty, our neediness, and our nothingness to God, He meets us with His generosity (Al-Karim), His ability to satisfy all needs (As-Samad), and His richness (Al-Ghaniy). 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.” INTRODUCTION L ove. It is the reason there is something instead of nothing. It is from the soil of love that all of existence blossoms into being. Love is why we are here. Love is why you are holding these words in your hands, speaking them on your tongue, or hearing them with your ears. This book did not call you or find you because of who I am, but because of how loving God is. The words I will offer you are not new, but I do believe many of these teachings of love and mercy have been forgotten. Islam does not have to change, we just need to return to the spiritual heart and soul of its timeless message of love, mercy, peace, freedom, justice, and unity. Although this book is about Islamic spirituality and practices, I believe God is bigger than any one religion or philosophy. I choose Islam as my faith, but I offer you these words from the Qur’an not to change you, but to remind you how much you are loved by God. I believe that just as wisdom teachings from other faiths have enriched my relationship with God, the deeper dimensions of Islam may also inspire you, regardless of what path you choose to walk. I pray these words awaken your heart to fall deeper in love with Allah,Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it." (Rumi). Give Like the Sun Gives to the Earth Reflection: Reflecting Divine Light Chapter 9—Ramadan: The Holy Month of Fasting The Month of Endless Mercy Becoming Receptive to Divine Guidance The Spiritual Stages of Fasting The Outer Fast of the Limbs The Inner Fast of the Senses and Mind The Heart-Centered Fast Laylatul Qadr: The Night of Power The End Is the Beginning Only for the Sake of Allah Reflection: Observing the Illusion Chapter 10—Hajj: A Pilgrimage to God Prophet Abraham: The Father of Monotheism The Mysteries of the Kaaba Mystical Symbolism in the Rituals of Hajj Every Moment Is Hajj Reflection: What Is in the Kaaba of Your Heart? Chapter 11—The Spiritual Secrets of Death The Pricelessness of Time Losing a Loved One This Is Not Your Home Impermanence and the Hidden Mercy of God Death Unveils the Truth If You Fear Death, This Is Why When the world goes to sleep, God is the One who is awake with you. God sees the tears you hide with smiles and He embraces the pain you think no one would understand. “Not even an atom’s weight in the heavens or the earth remains hidden from Him” (34:3).”

Secrets of Divine Love: A Spiritual Journey into the Heart of

As long as our happiness is dependent on things we cannot control, we will never experience contentment." Create connection with your faith community: The questions and prompts within the journal were written for both private contemplations, to be shared amongst friends or answered in book clubs. I started this book sometime in November of last year and it took me a few months to finish it. It's the kind of book that you want to savour and keep in your life as long as you can. That is what I ended up doing. REMEMBER: Prayer is not about punishment or reward; it is about cultivating a genuine connection with God. The deep purpose of prayer is not to obtain a certain outcome; rather, it is about having an intimate conversation with your Lord.” Experience the love of Allah: Discover divine love through inspiring stories, powerful verses from the Qur’an, and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).This is simply a wonderful book, written with care and precision, weaving us into God’s beautiful tapestry.” Secrets of Divine Love: A Spiritual Journey into the Heart of Islam is an inspiring guide that will lead you towards the hidden meaning of the Qur'an through passion and joy. Written with care and precision, Helwa’s metaphoric insights invite you on her earnest search for truth and understanding. By accessing the inner workings of the Islamic tradition, your struggles in faith will be met with a deeper connection to Allah rooted in compassion.