The Colours of Allah

Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The example of His light is like a niche within which is a lamp, the lamp is within glass, the glass as if it were a pearly [white] star lit from [the oil of] a blessed olive tree, neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil would almost glow even if untouched by fire. Light upon light. Allah guides to His light whom He wills. And Allah presents examples for the people, and Allah is Knowing of all things The Quran 24:35 اللَّهُ نُورُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ from Quran 24:35 : He is Allah. Your Lord. Master, Creator and Controller of the Universe and all Dimensions. He is beyond space, beyond time, beyond comprehension. He is the curator of the cosmos and the controller of the daily subtleties of our existence. He created all of this because He wanted to be known. He beautified the heavens with stars, and the earth with magnificent scenery, for us to enjoy so that our spirits may be uplifted and find tranquility. He fashioned each of us out of love, according to His wish and set us upon our destinies so that we may find Him. He who loves us more than our mothers. Who is more dedicated to our success than we are ourselves. He stands to gain nothing from our praise and worship, nor does He stand to lose from our rebellion and ingratitude. Your Lord is Al Lateef. The One who is benevolent to his slave in such a subtle way that even the receipt is not aware. He saves us in such a way that we never even perceived the threat or danger. Imam Al Ghazali says: “Al-Lateef, the Benevolent. One is deserving of this name if one knows the subtleties of those things which are beneficial, as well as their hidden aspects, along with what is subtle about them and what is benevolent.” So when we say that Allah (swt) is lateef with His slaves, it means that while He is always with us, and knows everything that goes on within us from thoughts and emotions, His protection and His presence with us are subtle. As Sheikh Ratib an-Nabulsi says, “His being with us is not heavy.” Combine this meaning of lateef with its other meaning of being Gentle and Kind, and you have the Lord who knows what is going on in your heart, and sends you what you need out of His Mercy and Kindness in the most subtle way.

You may believe it is your friend that is comforting you, but in reality, it is Allah  (swt) who sent you that friend. Perhaps that person who you met seemingly out of nowhere and recommended a certain class for you was what brought you closer to Allah (swt). Perhaps you read a status while browsing on Facebook or a picture on Instagram or a watsapp broadcast message that was directly related to what you were experiencing or that provided an answer to a question that was troubling your mind. This is Allah. He Loves us more than we can imagine. He really wants us to love Him in return. To love him enough to get to know him. To know him enough to emulate His characteristics. Allah ta’ala says at the end of the first juz, صِبْغَةَ اللَّهِ ۖ وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ مِنَ اللَّهِ صِبْغَةً ۖ وَنَحْنُ لَهُ عَابِدُونَ The “sibghah” (colour) of Allah, and who can be better than Allah in “sibghah”(colour) ? And we are His worshippers. (2:138 ) We should make our heart a prism that refracts Allah's Noor into a rainbow of hues, so too should we let the "colors" of Allah refract through you in word and deed! This can only happen if our hearts have been polished such that they are crystal clear, so when Allah shines His light upon our hearts, they are able to refract effectively without distortion.

In a world of intolerance imagine the effect of those reflecting Al Haleemu the Tolerant. The One who keeps bestowing favors upon His slaves even though they are disobedient. In a world of hatred and animosity imagine the effect of those who reflect Al Wadud. The One who is the source of all love and all loving kindness. Make an effort to get to know your Lord. For truly you only have everything to gain and much to loose if you don't. Ummi Muhammed The Millennial Muslimah