From the Rose Garden of Islam

Having taken several blogs to introduce you to the book I am writing in various ways, today I would like to share a little bit about Islam with you, along with a reading which will be in the book.

I grew up in Pakistan and India. Pakistan means "Land of the Pure" and is a Muslim country. My parents were medical missionaries there, and worked in three different hospitals as doctor and nurse. I grew up playing with Pakistani children, cared for by a Pakistani "ayah" or nanny several hours a day, speaking Urdu, the language of Pakistan, and hearing the Call to Prayer five times every single day for the first fifteen years of my life. I was surrounded by Muslims, and each day, many would come into our spacious compound, and wash their faces, arms, hands, and feet at the faucet on the outside of our house, and then proceed with their prayers. I was fascinated by this, and sometimes would imitate the movements they made in prayer in the privacy of my bedroom, since I thought my parents would take a dim view of their daughter doing Muslim prayers! I had many talks with Muslim friends as I grew up about their beliefs and mine. My parents would sometimes entertain old Muslim elders who had been on pilgrimage to Mecca and were wise and devout. They would spend hours talking about God and faith.

I am offended sometimes by the unfair and distorted descriptions of Islam that appear in the media, as if all Muslims and all Islam could be painted with the same brush as Muslim fanatics and terrorists. Of course, there are people in all religions who are poor representatives of the ideals and faith of their religions. But the way forward to peace and understanding among people of different faiths is to explore the best that each has to offer , and that is what I hope to do in the book I am writing.

So, without further ado, here is a beautiful collection of sayings by the Prophet Muhammad, the founder of the Muslim faith. Karen Armstrong has written a very fine book on him and his life and teachings which I highly recommend, entitled, simply, "Muhammad."

This particular reading is taken from the book "The Knowing Heart" by Kabir Helminski. The author says that Ali, a close companion of Muhammad, preserved these sayings.

Meditation in God is my capital.

Reason and sound logic are the root of my action.

Love is the foundation of my existence.

Enthusiasm is the vehicle of my life.

Contemplation of Allah (God) is my companion.

Faith is the source of my power.

Sorrow is my friend.

Knowledge is my defense.

Patience is my clothing and virtue.

Submission to the divine Will is my pride.

Truth is my salvation.

Worship is my practice.

And in my prayer lies the coolness of my eye

and my peace of mind.

There is a lot to ponder in those few words! They go deep, and I invite you to go deep with them.

See if they spark a prayer in your heart.

Here is a prayer they sparked in mine.

"You, O God of Mercy and Compassion, are everything to me.

I receive Your gifts in meditation.

I commune with You in contemplation.

I strive to keep your Word of Truth in my mind and heart always.

I seek to know and do Your Will in all the circumstances of my life.

I desire to worship and serve You alone.

As often as I pray, I am refreshed and at peace in Your Presence.

May I never forget you, even for a moment.

May the remembrance of You bind us together in unbroken Unity

in the Rose Garden of Your Love.

Amen