Ya Tawwab, Ya Wajid O You who turn us into repentance that we might return to You with clear hearts, even as the muddy stream releases its sediment before it merges with the sea, wash clear these hearts that we might find You, Ya Wajid. Even the purest mountain stream sometimes gathers sticks and straws, [...]
Ya Sami, Ya Basir Ahh! The moon is full! No wonder I can’t sleep. Thank You for bringing me out into its radiance. The cicadas drone in celebration, and tree frogs “ribbit” in response. Vibration pulses everywhere, in light, in sound, in hearts. This week I learned it really matters who tunes your piano, what [...]
Ya Khafid, Ya Rafi, Ya Wadud, Ya Karim O You who bring us low, that You might exalt us within You— when we are exalted in this world, there is a danger— our self-consciousness may increase, and we may lose the palpable sense of Your Presence that inundates us when we are near, bowing in [...]
Ya Wasi, Ya Wadud, Ya Alim O You Who Are Infinite, All-Encompassing Your Heavens open and we fall through— up, into such vast expanses we lose our bearings and relinquish all we are carrying of injustices and justices waiting to be balanced by Your Will. We rest in the upward draft of Your breezes bringing [...]
Ya Nur ala Nur And today, Your Light returns, bouncing from Your leaves to my heart through the window that opens to Your Vastness. From where I sit, I cannot quite see Your sun rise, yet through the mirror, a hidden window opens, and Your rose pours through the air, reverberating with Your silent Song [...]
Ya Ghani, Ya Mughni Each seed knows its own name. Embedded in the DNA is its whole history of loving— who is matched with whom, and who descended— in cascading realms of servanthood of the One through whom we are related, manifesting the riches by which we grow— which are our birthright as seeds of [...]
Ya Rashid O Most Gracious Teacher, we wait upon Your Word, Your life-giving Word, You who grant life and bestow death, and life again, Everlasting, Ya Muhyi, Ya Mumit, Ya Hayy, Ya Qayyum— continually, You are opening and closing doors we cannot see; we cannot turn the handle, You alone hold the key to the [...]
Ya Quddus, Ya Wadud, Ya Hadi, Ya Wakil Paradise Island is welcoming us, beckoning, to come abide in that Vastness, beyond the travails of the mainland, across the waters of Your blessing— where one does not grieve, nor fear, and gentle talk of Spirit is all that comes to one’s ear. And He has purchased [...]
Ya Malik, Ya Quddus Each morning we awaken and watch as You unfurl all the glories of the day. Moment by moment we wait upon Your Word, O Sovereign, Most Holy One, who inspire our life, our love, it is You who shield us from harm when we would listen and turn to You, within [...]