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  Hikma (wisdom), meaning knowledge, the understanding of Divine commandments, philosophy, the real reasons for the existence of events and of things, and grasping the goals and benefits in religion, has been interpreted by the exacting scholars of truth as being able to combine

O people of belief, now you understand how harmful enmity is. Greed is another great disease, and just as harmful for Islam’s life, for it causes disappointment, sickness, humiliation, deprivation, and misery to arise. The humiliation and misery of those nations who leap at this world

What are the greatest dangers and pitfalls that a believer faces, and what precautions can be taken? Humanity is being tested in this world. Life itself, from the beginning until the end, is full of tests that are different in shape and level of difficulty. Said Nursi has mentioned th

Mahabba (Love) Mahabba means fondness, tender and kind feelings, preference, and love. Love that affects and invades one’s feelings is called passion; love that is so deep and irresistible that it burns for union is called fervor and enthusiasm. Sufis have defined love as the relation

Ikhlas (Sincerity or Purity of Intention)   Ikhlas has been interpreted as being upright, sincere, and pure; being distant from show and ostentation in one’s intention and conduct; and being closed to whatever clouds or fouls the heart. Purity of intention, straightforwardness in

Q: How should we react to the evil thoughts and desires whispered by Satan? A: Involuntary evil thoughts, fancies, or associations of ideas usually are the result of Satan’s interference. Just as a battery has two poles, there are two central points to our hearts. These two pole

Ihsan (Perfect Goodness)   Ihsan two literal meanings, doing something well and perfectly and doing someone a favor; it is sometimes used in the Qur’an and the Sunna with either meaning. At other times, as pointed out in the reflections on Heart while describing Prophet Jos

Ensure that the water to be used is pure. Intend to perform wudu to offer prayer, if you plan to pray after taking it.] Recite: Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim (i.e., in the Name of God, the All-Merciful, the All-Compassionate).

The Truth is one of the beautiful of names of the Divine, al-Haqq, which is linguistically both an infinitive and an adjective. Some of the meanings that flash through from the shade of the Truth are an immutable reality whose existence is absolute, compliance with the true nature of

Divine Decree and Destiny in relation to Divine Knowledge As was pointed out earlier (in previous issues), God is beyond all comparison and whatever we conceive of Him, He is different from it. We can only acquire some knowledge of Him, not of His Divine Essence, but His Attributes an