Secrets of Divine Love: a Spiritual Journey Into the Heart of Islam
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PRAISE FOR SECRETS OF DIVINE LOVE “The fragrance of the Beloved permeates every passage of this magnificent book, gently opening the gates of the heart and inviting the reader into a direct experience of that which the author so beautifully evokes. Whether you identify as a Muslim whose faith has perhaps grown weary or as someone who would like to taste of the essence of a tradition you do not understand, 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.” —MIRABAI STARR Author of God of Love: A Guide to the Heart of Judaism, Christianity and Islam and Wild Mercy: Living the Fierce & Tender Wisdom of the Women Mystics “A. Helwa’s book, Secrets of Divine Love, is a magnificent accomplishment. So often we are asked where and how one accesses the inner heart of the Islamic tradition—here it is! Helwa does a beautiful job of taking us, no matter what our faith background, through the Qur’an, teachings of the Prophet, Rumi, and other mystical luminaries. She does so with gentleness, kindness, never preachy, and always inviting. Secrets of Divine Love is a beautiful book, and a major contribution. I wholeheartedly recommended it for spiritual seekers of all paths!” —OMID SAFI Professor of Middle Eastern Studies at Duke University and author of Radical Love: Teachings from the Islamic Mystical Tradition “Here is a manifesto to Love, love of God, God’s love for us, love for ourselves and all of creation, a manifesto to hope and a manifesto against despair. Helwa draws on diverse literary sources and the wisdom of many authors to illustrate universal spiritual teachings . Her prose is captivating, poetic and oozing with the passion and vitality that she herself embodies . For the reader this book breathes the spark of life into us and plants in us a longing to experience these truths for ourselves.” —NURA LAIRD; MEd, Professor at the University of Sufism, Chair of the Department of Spiritual Peacemaking, Mediator, Sufi healer and Counselor “I am simply entranced by Helwa’s metaphors and insights. The bulk of her sentences are poetry in motion and studded with pearls of wisdom. Fragrant with beauty. Many of the sentences are musical. You can rap with them. Enchanting! The creative way Helwa has integrated her heart knowledge into her understanding of Islam is stunning.” —IMAM JAMAL RAHMAN Author of Spiritual Gems of Islam: Insights & Practices from the Qur’an, Hadith, Rumi & Muslim Teaching Stories to Enlighten the Heart & Mind “Secrets of Divine Love is the product of A. Helwa’s earnest search for truth and meaning. It is also her invitation to us, the readers, to see what she has seen. This is a fascinating book that offers various profound insights and a vision of Islam—and indeed the Divine—that many readers will surely find enlightening and uplifting.” —MOHAMMAD KHALIL Professor of Islamic Studies at Michigan State University “Secrets of Divine Love opens with one word: ‘Love.’ This word appears and reappears, until the reader comes to understand only a fraction of the ways that God pours His light on them. Helwa guides the reader through a spiritual journey, highlighting aspects of Islamic spirituality, practices, and tenets of the faith. This book serves as a contemporary primer on Islam, and blends passages from the Qur’an with reflection and discussion prompts for the reader. One regularly is flushed with examples of God’s compassion, kindness, forgiveness, patience, and comfort. This is simply a wonderful book, written with care and precision, weaving us into God’s beautiful tapestry.” —DR. NAZITA LAJEVARDI Associate Professor at Michigan State University and author of Outsiders at Home: The Politics of American Islamophobia “Secrets of Divine Love remedies my deepest existential dread by reminding me of my inherent worth as a being that is unconditionally loved. It pulls from common as well as less known sources, providing evidence to quell the mind and soothe the heart. The carefully curated content strikes deep emotional chords. I find myself irresistibly falling in love with God and Islam.” —MAHYA SHAMAI Multidisciplinary Artist “Secrets of Divine Love is a gem! It’s relatable and readable for those of us who consider ourselves ‘faithful,’ those of us struggling to feel so, and everyone in between. In the language of sweetness and compassion, Helwa walks us through the journey of connection back to the love of Allah.” —LEILA ENTEZAM LMFT, MBA, Emotional Intelligence Thought Leader “The author’s work has a special way of speaking to the heart. This reading offers exceptional spiritual nuances on the core of Islamic belief and practices. More than ever, we are in need of content like this that shines a luminous light on a faith that is frequently misunderstood.” —SEYED MAHDI AL-QASWINI Educator at Islamic Educational Center of Orange County “A marvelous book that gives a sound grasp of this great religion and nourishment to the heart we deeply need. This book is a source of majesty and beauty.” —DR. FAWZIA AL-RAWI Author of Divine Names: The 99 Healing Names of the One Love and Founder of the Center for Feminine Spirituality and Sufism 2020 Naulit Inc. A publication of the Naulit Publishing House, A department of Naulit Inc. Printed in the United States of America Cover Design: Adji D.H., Anton Wardana, A. Helwa Interior Design: David Miles Designer of Chapter Illustrations: Adji D.H., Anton Wardana, Muhammad Al-Shaikh, Qasim Arif Editors: Heydieh Soroush, Sanam Saghafi, Teja Watson Creative Directors: Amir Y., Mahya Shamai, Heydieh Soroush Naulit Publishing House P.O. Box 7375 Capistrano Beach, CA 92624 Cataloging-in-Publication Data 2019918369 Paperback ISBN: 978-1-7342312-0-5 E-book ISBN: 978-1-7342312-1-2 First Edition SECRETS OF DIVINE LOVE A Spiritual Journey into the Heart of Islam A. HELWA “My Lord! Cause me to enter whatever I may do sincerely and cause me to leave it sincerely and grant me supporting authority from Your presence.” Q U R ’ A N 1 7 : 8 0 In the name of Allah, the Lord of Mercy, the Bestower of Mercy. All praise and glory belongs to Allah, Lord of the worlds. The Lord of Mercy, the Bestower of Mercy. Master of the Day of Judgment. You alone we worship; You alone we ask for help. Guide us to the straight path. The way of those on whom You have bestowed Your grace, Not of those who earned Your anger nor of those who went astray. QUR’AN 1:1-7 Acknowledgements In the name of Allah, whose love made this book possible. Blessings be upon the Prophet Muhammad , whose gentle mercy has taught me how to walk in faith. I am deeply grateful to all the prophets, whose examples help guide me on the path of divine love. To Sidi, who taught me how to hear the music of my soul. To my mother, whose softness and prayers changed the course of my destiny. To my father, who embodies what it means to be a sincere and generous servant of God. To Amir, whose kind heart and sweet soul teaches me how to love. To my grandfather, whose spiritual stories fill the pages of this book. To my family, who have always unconditionally supported me. To my soul friends, whose wisdom and love uplifts and inspires me. To my spiritual community and in particular my teachers who taught me how to love God and experience His unending peace. To the hundreds of thousands of kind souls in our beautiful online community, who taught me what it means to be vulnerable and sincere. To my editors and designers, for guiding this book towards its greatest potential. And in the loving memory of Esmat, who embodied what it means to be joyful, kind, and selfless. I dedicate this book to all of you and to all the spiritual seekers seeking the path of divine love and truth. All praise to God. ALHAMDULLILAH CONTENTS Introduction Reading with an Open Heart Chapter 1—Allah: The Origin of Love The Mystery of “Allah” The Divine Door Is Always Open Ar-Rahman and Ar-Rahim: The Spiritual Secrets of God’s Mercy The Importance of Divine Justice God’s Mercy Gives Us More Than We Deserve Allah Is Love God Transcends the Human Mind How the Universe Points to God Who Created God? How to Have an Intimate Connection with God Reflection: The Mystery of Breath Reflection: Everywhere You Look Is the Face of Allah Chapter 2—Who Are You? Who You Are to God The Infinite Faces of God The Honor of the Human Being The Fitra and the Innate Goodness of Man Adam and Eve and the Devil The Power of Gratitude Sin and Forgetfulness EGO: “Edging God Out” There Is No Compulsion in Religion Unwrapping the Gift of Divine Love Life Is a Test Jihad for Peace Polishing the Mirror of the Heart Returning to God Through Repentance Returning to God Through Divine Remembrance God Can Use You Exactly as You Are Unveiling Your Divine Purpose Reflection: Healing Your Heart with the 99 Divine Names Reflection: Gratitude Journal Chapter 3—The Mysterious World of the Qur’an The Mysterious Power of Recitation The Qur’an Is Not Actually a Book The First Word of Revelation: Iqra’ The Message of the Qur’an X = God Is Unconditionally Merciful Why the Qur’an Was Revealed in Stages The Secrets of Alif, Lam, Mim How to Read the Qur’an from the Heart The Transforming Power of Scripture Revelation Meets You Where You Are The Power of Metaphors and Symbolism The Healing Vibration of Revelation “Be! And It Is.” Everything Is a Manifestation of God’s Speech Memorizing the Qur’an A Linguistic Miracle and Divine Reminder of Oneness The Qur’an Was a Game-Changer Reflection: Contemplate the Qur’an with Love Reflection: Healing with Divine Sound Chapter 4—The Spiritual Dimensions of Islam You Are Inherently Good Islam: To Surrender in Peace Iman: Walking in Faith Ihsan: Seeing God Everywhere The Stations of Ecstatic Love Reflection: Making Every Action into Worship Chapter 5—Tawba: Repent and Return to Unity God’s Guidance Begins and Ends with Forgiveness Returning to the Oneness Begin Right Now Transforming Your Temptations into Prayers Turning Toward God The Infinite Power of God’s Forgiveness Forgive to Free Yourself.