Ya Salam, You are peace, from You is peace so grant me peace ya Rabb.

This has been my oft-repeated du’a for a long time now. In the darkness of the night as my tears roll over into my pillow, in the silence of my solitude, under my breath on my walks and in humble prostration during prayer.

I can never name a moment in my life when Allah has not been gracious. My life in it’s entirety is a testament to the generosity of my Lord, Al-Karim. I am forever a grateful servant. When my heart is consumed with anxiety and sadness, I bask in the depth of His yearning. What is peace and what is love, to my heart I ask? But here is my answer; it is closeness to the Most Merciful and the love of the Most Loving with nary a hesitation, until death comes and I meet the Lord of the Worlds.

As Ramadan is quickly approaching, my yearning for peace, ease and His closeness is even more. I was flipping through my journal reminiscing over last Ramadan then I came across this du’a/reflection I made then. And subhanAllah it could not be more true in the present:

Ya Hayyu Ya Qayyum, I’m calling upon You with your infinite mercy. Praise and thanks belong to You O Allah for You have never forsaken me. You have always been near ya Allah. Indeed You are near and I have been absent. Ya Allah my heart yearns for You and longs for You and for Your love.

"From the traditions of Dawud, Allah gathered His angels and as they showed up, they bowed in prostration. Allah said to them: I did not gather you to prostrate to me but to show you the hearts of those longing for Me.” ~ Al Ghazali

Ya Allah make me among those whose hearts You are pleased with, make me among those whose hearts You gather Your angels to see. O Allah help me to properly remember You, to properly thank You and to properly worship You. Amin.

Jumm’ah Mubarak With Love, Ibtisam