Home About Us Contact Disclaimer Glossary Virtual Mosque Personal Development Relationships Islamic Studies Society Ummah Miscellaneous Multimedia Reflections • With the Divine Love and Limits by Guest AuthorsSeptember 11, 20154 min read https://stocksnap.io/photo/03F8A942C5By Hiba Khan From childhood to the moment we leave this earth, we are conditioned to think in the way of the world. A world that is characterised by limits, finite in its very nature. From the colossal star that lights our days, provides the conditions required for life and keeps us circling a steady orbit, to the cells that constitute the bodies we inhabit, everything around us is limited. The sun will one day collapse, just as the matter that makes up our human forms will return to dust. We see boundaries, curbs and confinement, which extend from fossil fuels and the concept of time all the way to our own self-imposed structures. It is only ever physically possible for a certain number of us to get into university or get a job, regardless of aptitude and potential. It struck me as a young child that the only instance in which we are not faced with a cut-off, where competition is not defined by a fixed number of spaces and positions, is Jannah (Paradise). There will be no disappointment because you were not within the 60,000 person cut-off mark; we are not racing against one another because the palaces might run out before we make it. With Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala (exalted is He) there are no limits, because He is limitless. There are no frontiers or caps where He is concerned, a concept our minds can never truly comprehend because they themselves are built with limits. What we tend to forget however is that our souls and our spiritual hearts, the essence of what we are, belong to another realm; the realm of their Lord, which is infinite, absolute, eternal and illimitable. Our non-physical aspects therefore cannot be categorised and condemned to the nature of this world. Allah’s (swt) love for us is boundless, His mercy is without beginning or end, and it is from this nature that the concept of un-conditionality arises. Our souls, in their divine essence, can be vessels for this boundless mercy and love if He so wills it. Imagine a tap whose source is a lake. Water will flow from the tap so long as there is water in the lake, perhaps for days, perhaps for weeks, until the lake runs dry. Now imagine a tap connecting to an ocean. Water will flow from the tap for years, but eventually, even the mighty ocean will have been drained. However, if there was an infinite water supply, in which every drop of water is replaced instantaneously after being removed, water would flow from the attached tap forever. We all know that the output depends directly on the source. Undeniably, the characteristics of the provider are reflected in what is provided. We are like the tap: if we connect ourselves to a limited source, however vast, expansive and mighty that source may be, we will one day run dry. Our love and mercy will cease to gush forth as we tire and become worn out. But if our source is infinite and endless, in need of no replenishment or renewal because it is perfect and complete, our souls can truly fulfil their divine potential. Our souls can act as vessels for the most beautiful and pure phenomenon in physical and spiritual existence. If we connect ourselves wholly and securely to Allah (swt), only then are we able to channel love and mercy unconditionally to others. We must free ourselves from the shackles of how we have been programmed to think in this world. Stop applying imperfect, narrowed limitations and restrictions to things that are above any bounds. Make Him the sole source and reason for our loving and giving, and there will be no reason to hold back, to be fearful or cautious of what we give to the souls intertwined in ours. Because it is for Him and from Him, be it kindness with a family member or compassion for a stranger on the street, our hearts will be filled up and content. It is for and from He Who rewards, He Who gives without measure, He Whose bounty and praise are all-embracing. Even when our bodies become one with the earth from which they came, even when the sun’s brilliant burning is no more, all that we gave of love and mercy will remain, true and eternal just like He in Whose name it was dealt forth. https://stocksnap.io/photo/9C15012B5B The Protective Wing: Al-Muhaymin https://stocksnap.io/photo/FFTMH0B1B4 Pouring Blessings: What Is Your Greatest Blessing? You may also like Two Words Ramadan Letters 4: To the Eyes that Weep NoA Podcast 14: Al-Musawwir A Gift for the 27th Night: Ramadan Du`a’ with English Translation About the author Guest Authors Guest Authors As a virtual mosque, we strive to provide a safe space for learning and discussion. We would like to invite our readers to join this process. Everyone has a reflection to share, expertise on a specific topic, or a new idea. We hope, by opening up submissions from guest authors, that we can highlight the work of new, talented writers in our virtual community. View all posts 5 Comments Zafir Yousuf September 11, 2015 at 6:07 am May the peace, blessings, and mercy of Allah be with you and your family Sister Hiba, Thank you for writing this beautiful article, it really affected me. May Allah reward you with the best in this world and the best in the Hereafter. Reply Umm Musa September 11, 2015 at 6:39 am Absolutely beautiful article and very timely for me! Jazakum Allah khair Reply abalhasanyn September 11, 2015 at 6:59 am what an uplifting article… I really enjoyed it and will share with family and friends… Reply Mahammed kadira September 11, 2015 at 8:34 am Jazakum allah Reply Anthony September 11, 2015 at 3:36 pm Islam truly moves when we have a handle on our state of affairs. A dripping tap might seem annoying especially when the handle turns clockwise to a closed connection only to see and perhaps hear a constant drip,drip and drip. As a city bus driver embracing the the source or transit of people for many years, would the sound of a different type or flow give rise to Zam Zam water and the gift given to me of that water sealed as carry on luggage marked from it’s source. The family that gave that gift of eternal reflection continues to amaze in constant form what a single drop of liquid can create in human form. The first prayer of the morning echoes as if a meniscus overwhelms the tear duct of a common drip having come down the cheeks of life in the form of love eternal in the character of human thought when submitted to such divinity just by submission alone. To cover the waves by white caps thrusts the oceans deep with drips of water now as pearls of truth resounding as a symphony under a sole conductor having created all creation to reflect the handle as a mere baton to all the languages that drip in attributes. Let us get to know one another and bridge the migration of people,of nations, in turmoil that yearn for distant shores with providential precepts in mind, body and soul. Reply Leave a Comment Comment Name * Email * Website Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. You can also subscribe without commenting. Post Comment Type here to search... Like us on Facebook! 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Love and Limits
By Hiba Khan
From childhood to the moment we leave this earth, we are conditioned to think in the way of the world. A world that is characterised by limits, finite in its very nature. From the colossal star that lights our days, provides the conditions required for life and keeps us circling a steady orbit, to the cells that constitute the bodies we inhabit, everything around us is limited. The sun will one day collapse, just as the matter that makes up our human forms will return to dust. We see boundaries, curbs and confinement, which extend from fossil fuels and the concept of time all the way to our own self-imposed structures. It is only ever physically possible for a certain number of us to get into university or get a job, regardless of aptitude and potential. It struck me as a young child that the only instance in which we are not faced with a cut-off, where competition is not defined by a fixed number of spaces and positions, is Jannah (Paradise). There will be no disappointment because you were not within the 60,000 person cut-off mark; we are not racing against one another because the palaces might run out before we make it. With Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala (exalted is He) there are no limits, because He is limitless.
There are no frontiers or caps where He is concerned, a concept our minds can never truly comprehend because they themselves are built with limits. What we tend to forget however is that our souls and our spiritual hearts, the essence of what we are, belong to another realm; the realm of their Lord, which is infinite, absolute, eternal and illimitable. Our non-physical aspects therefore cannot be categorised and condemned to the nature of this world. Allah’s (swt) love for us is boundless, His mercy is without beginning or end, and it is from this nature that the concept of un-conditionality arises. Our souls, in their divine essence, can be vessels for this boundless mercy and love if He so wills it.
Imagine a tap whose source is a lake. Water will flow from the tap so long as there is water in the lake, perhaps for days, perhaps for weeks, until the lake runs dry. Now imagine a tap connecting to an ocean. Water will flow from the tap for years, but eventually, even the mighty ocean will have been drained. However, if there was an infinite water supply, in which every drop of water is replaced instantaneously after being removed, water would flow from the attached tap forever. We all know that the output depends directly on the source. Undeniably, the characteristics of the provider are reflected in what is provided.
We are like the tap: if we connect ourselves to a limited source, however vast, expansive and mighty that source may be, we will one day run dry. Our love and mercy will cease to gush forth as we tire and become worn out. But if our source is infinite and endless, in need of no replenishment or renewal because it is perfect and complete, our souls can truly fulfil their divine potential. Our souls can act as vessels for the most beautiful and pure phenomenon in physical and spiritual existence. If we connect ourselves wholly and securely to Allah (swt), only then are we able to channel love and mercy unconditionally to others.
We must free ourselves from the shackles of how we have been programmed to think in this world. Stop applying imperfect, narrowed limitations and restrictions to things that are above any bounds. Make Him the sole source and reason for our loving and giving, and there will be no reason to hold back, to be fearful or cautious of what we give to the souls intertwined in ours. Because it is for Him and from Him, be it kindness with a family member or compassion for a stranger on the street, our hearts will be filled up and content. It is for and from He Who rewards, He Who gives without measure, He Whose bounty and praise are all-embracing.
Even when our bodies become one with the earth from which they came, even when the sun’s brilliant burning is no more, all that we gave of love and mercy will remain, true and eternal just like He in Whose name it was dealt forth.
About the author
Guest Authors
As a virtual mosque, we strive to provide a safe space for learning and discussion. We would like to invite our readers to join this process. Everyone has a reflection to share, expertise on a specific topic, or a new idea. We hope, by opening up submissions from guest authors, that we can highlight the work of new, talented writers in our virtual community.
Thank you for writing this beautiful article, it really affected me. May Allah reward you with the best in this world and the best in the Hereafter.
A dripping tap might seem annoying especially when the handle
turns clockwise to a closed connection only to see and perhaps hear
a constant drip,drip and drip.
As a city bus driver embracing the the source or transit of people
for many years, would the sound of a different type or flow
give rise to Zam Zam water and the gift given to me of that water
sealed as carry on luggage marked from it’s source.
The family that gave that gift of eternal reflection continues to amaze
in constant form what a single drop of liquid can create in human form.
The first prayer of the morning echoes as if a meniscus overwhelms the
tear duct of a common drip having come down the cheeks of life in the
form of love eternal in the character of human thought when submitted
to such divinity just by submission alone.
To cover the waves by white caps thrusts the oceans deep with drips of water
now as pearls of truth resounding as a symphony under a sole conductor having
created all creation to reflect the handle as a mere baton to all the languages that
drip in attributes.
Let us get to know one another and bridge the migration of people,of nations, in turmoil
that yearn for distant shores with providential precepts in mind, body and soul.