Secrets+of+Divine+Love+Ramadan

236 SECRETS OF DIVINE LOVE
Allah says, “Fasting is a shield,” 24 because it protects us from the fire
of separation by constantly reminding us that our love for Allah is greater
than our love for our desires. During Ramadan we eat less, sleep less, and
worship Allah more than any other month, moving from our animalistic
nature that seeks solely for worldly pleasures toward our angelic nature,
which seeks solely for Allah. Ramadan is a holy time when we are given
the gift of renewing our vows in our covenant with Allah. After all, it is
only when we break the tomb of our mortal ego that we can be resurrected
into the eternal presence of our loving God.
My beloved Lord, help me fast from all that does not serve
me, from all that is in the way of my heart’s witnessing of
You. Oh Allah, as I abstain from food and water, allow my
heart to fast from all hatred, jealousy, greed, and harshness.
Oh Allah, I come to You prostrating, seeking Your light to
guide me and Your mercy to embrace me. My Lord, help
me give up every desire that prevents me from experiencing
Your truth. My beloved Lord, help me fast from the lower
qualities of my ego until the sun of my life sets. As Your
beloved Prophet ﷺ prayed, “Allahumma innaka aafuwon
tuhibu al aaffwa fa afu aanni—Allah, You are the Forgiver.
You love to forgive. So forgive me.” 25 Oh Allah, help me be
steadfast on the spiritual path, help me be mindful of You,
and help me to never lose sight of Your love, generosity, and
endless mercy that encompasses every atom of existence. In
Your compassionate names I pray, Ameen.
Reflection: “Observing the Illusion”
Meditation is not the act of having no thoughts, but rather the practice
of creating space between your thoughts. It’s important to remember
that our thoughts and emotions like the seasons will naturally change,
but our deep inner essence (fitra) will remain the same. Buddhist nun,
Pema Chödrön, profoundly says, “You are the sky. Everything else – it’s
just the weather.” We must always remember that our thoughts, like the