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The Love of Allah Transcends Space and Time

Dec 30, 2016 | Divine Names

It’s hard to believe, but this is our last blog communication of 2016. Only one more day left in this year. This is a time of completion – an ending to what has been, in many ways, a challenging year. And it is also a time of transition. Following are a few poems and quotes about finale and evolution to ponder as we say goodbye to 2016 and the many who have left us this year, and welcome in what awaits us in the new year.   The quality of completion is Al-Akhir. From Sidi Shaykh Muhammad’s book, The Meaning of the Names of Our Lord:

“Al-Akhir, the Last, is the One Who subsists in everlasting subsistence after the annihilation of His creation in His everlasting subsistence. He is the Enricher of all subsistence, both present and in all time because nothing is after Him. You should know that your belief is in bearing witness that Allah is the Eternal Subsister Who is the basis of all surrendered belief.” In case that runs circles around your mental field before it makes its way into your heart, Sidi also writes, “This name is always accompanied by [Al-Awwal, the First], and he who repeats this name six hundred times frequently will not only lead a happy life in this world, but will also have a happy ending.”

  From Neil Douglas-Klotz’s book, The Sufi Book of Life:

“The Sufis sometimes compare life to singing a musical note. Both the beginning and the end are very important. An audience can feel the intention and emotion we have at the instant we begin to sing. Likewise, the way we release each note can either set it off clearly or slur one note into the next. Depending upon the acoustics of the room and how long the note is held, each sound eventually returns to the silence from which it began. One of the lessons of life, according to the Sufis, is how to consciously pursue something from its beginning, through its middle, and to its end.”

  The following poem by Rumi was translated by Dr. Iraj Anvar and shared with us in the Poetry of the Sufi Mystics webinar class last night.

D 911

On the day of my death, when my coffin passes by,

Do not think that my heart aches for this world.

Do not weep for me and don’t say, “Alas, alas.”

If you fall in the trap of the Demon’s deceit, that calls for alas.

When you see my corpse, do not say: “Separation, separation.”

For me, that will be the time of gathering and union.

When you entrust me to the grave, do not say: “Farewell, farewell.”

Because, the grave is the last veil to the tranquility of heaven.

When you see me going down, see me rising.

There is no loss in the setting of the moon and the sun.

It appears like sunset to you, but it is sunrise.

The grave appears like a prison, but it is freedom for the soul.

What seed went in the ground that did not grow?

Why do you think otherwise about the seed of Man?

What bucket went down into the well that did not come up full?

Why should Joseph complain of being in the well?

When your mouth closes on this side, open it on the other side.

Because, you will sing and revel in infinity.

~Jalal id-din Rumi, translated by Iraj Anvar

  And I can’t resist this one more. It’s not from a Sufi mystic of ancient times, but from a soulful musician who transitioned just last month, written in the early 1970’s:

“I love you in a place where there’s no space in time.

I love you for my life, you are a friend of mine.

And when my life is over, remember when we were together.

We were alone and I was singing this song to you.”

from “A Song for You” by Leon Russell

  True love exists and subsists forever in a place where there is no space and time. In this life, we have moments and memories. Words, sounds and senses evoke waves of emotions that guide us through their undulations to remember what is steady. May all your memories guide you to certainty and trust in The One Who is always here and remains no matter what happens in the material world. Have a blessed end to your 2016 year, and may you welcome what is to come in the new year with an open heart and complete rest in your Beloved, Whose love transcends all space and time. With love and gratitude, Mastura Graugnard on behalf of all your friends and family at UOS   P.S. Watch for a notice coming soon about support for staying aligned with and surrendered to divine wisdom through the dynamic evolutions coming in the new year. Happy New Year!  

Photo credits: © Mykyta Starychenko | Dreamstime.com – New Year 2017 is coming concept – inscription 2017 and 2016 on a beach sand, the wave is covering digits 2016. New Year 2017 celeb