Secrets of Divine Love: A Spiritual Journey into the Heart of Islam
Author: A. Helwa
Publisher: Naulit Publishing House
Year of Publication: 2020
Print Length: 387 pages
Genre: Islamic Studies / Reflection & Self-Development, Non-Fiction / Psychology
Topic: Allah ﷻ, Islam, Muslim, Qur’an, Qur’anic Reflection, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, Islamic Psyche, Jihad, Resilience, Spirituality, Alms
Are you longing to experience a more intimate and loving relationship with Allah?
Do your imperfections leave you feeling unworthy of love from a perfect Creator? Has your holy journey left you with more questions than answers? Internationally acclaimed, award-winning author, A. Helwa, has inspired over half a million readers with her passionate and poetic approach to faith. Now she’s here to show you how to unlock your spiritual potential and unveil your true purpose.
Secrets of Divine Love draws upon spiritual secrets of the Qur’an, ancient mystical poetry, and stories from the world’s greatest prophets and spiritual masters to help you reignite your faith, overcome your doubts, and deepen your connection with God.
Through the use of scientific evidence, practical exercises, and guided meditations, you will develop the tools and awareness needed to discern and overcome the negative inner critic that prevents you from experiencing God’s all-encompassing love. The passages in this book serve as a compass and guiding light that returns you to the source of divine peace and surrender. Secrets of Divine Love uses a rational, yet heart-based approach towards the Qur’an that not only enlightens the mind, but inspires the soul towards deeper intimacy with God.
In Secrets of Divine Love, you’ll discover:
- Who God is and how He unconditionally loves you exactly as you are
- Why you were created and what your Divine purpose is
- How God has already given you everything you need to reach Him
- How to master your ego and awaken your heart
- How to have an intimate relationship with a transcendent God
- How your distractions during prayer can help you get closer to God
- How to repent in a way that transforms your sins into good deeds
- How to polish the mirror of your heart and experience God everywhere
- Why death is not the end, but the beginning of eternal life
- Why you were made for more than dying and going to heaven
- How distractions during your daily devotions can surprisingly bring you closer to God, and much, much more!
Table of Contents
Introduction
Reading with an Open Heart
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 Transends 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
2. Who Are You?
Who Are You 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
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 Alim, 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
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
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 / Forgiving Ourselves / How to Repent: The Path to Loving Forgiveness / Returning to the Path of Love / Reflection: Deeper Dimensions of Tawba
6. Shahadah: The Ecstacy of Oneness
Shahadah, Part 1: “I Testify That There Is No God but God” / Shahadah, Part 2: “I Testify That Muhammad Is the Prophet of God” / Who Was the Prophet ﷺ? / Inspiring Stories of the Prophet ﷺ / The Prophet ﷺ Reminds Us Who We Are / The Prophetic Light of Wisdom / Reflection: La Ilaha Illa Allah / Reflection: Connecting with the Light of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
7. Salat: How to Tune Into Divine Love
Prayer Is for You / God Gave the Salat to the Prophet ﷺ / The Secrets Behind Pre-Prayer Rituals: Adhan and Wudu‘ / Turning Toward the Kaaba / Why Does the Salat Have a Set Form? / The Symbolism of the Postures of Prayer / Al-Fatiha: The Heart-Opener / The Celestial Power of Prayer Times / The Mystery of Repetition and Remembrance / Reflection: Overcoming Distractions During Prayer
8. Zakat: Giving as an Instrument of God
Spoken Sadaqah / Give Without Judgment / Zakat: A Divine Tax on Your Blessings / Your Zakat Does Not Belong to You / Every Atom of Giving Counts / The Science of Giving / Give for God’s Grace, Not for People’s Praise / Give Like the Sun Gives to the Earth / Reflection: Reflecting Divine Light
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
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?
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 / You Are Going to Die / …But You Were Not Made for Death / Reflection: Contemplating Death
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 Are 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, Bibliography
A. Helwa is a writer. Her popular blog @quranquotesdaily, was established while obtaining her Masters in Divinity, as a means of helping others overcome personal and spiritual struggles on their journey of experiencing divine love. With over 15 years of experience writing and speaking on Islam and spiritual development, A. Helwa draws from her personal experiences and traditional sources to help her readers access ‘Divine love in everyday life.’
Source: https://authorahelwa.com/about-me
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