Life as Prayer

Awaken to PresenceTransform your life

workshop series

www.NurSpirituality.org

Dr. M. Omar

November 2012, Orlando

VISION:Blessings

Self-Pride Anger Depression

In this view, God is someone who help us to live the way we

want…

Self-centered VISION for my life

God’s VISION for my life�ُد�وِن� �ْع�ُب �َي ِل ��اَّل ِإ �نَس� و�اِإْل� ��ِج�َّن اِل �ْق�ُت� َل َخ� و�َم�ا

And I have not created the invisible beings and men but to [know and] worship Me. (Qur’an 51:56)

Experiential Knowledge of God

WitnessDivine Attributes

ReflectDivine Attributes

God wants us to:Know HimLove Him and glorify him with praiseBe with Him forever

God wants to have a close relationship with us, but we are too busy with worldly

blessings…

Experiential Knowledge of God

WitnessDivine Attributes

ReflectDivine Attributes

God is making Himself known to us through His creation…

He reflects His beauty on the flowers;

We contemplate;

We praise Him;

We love Him more and more…

But, what do we do instead?

Fall in love with the mirror (apple) that reflects God’s attributes,

and forget about the All-Beautiful…

Self-centered

God-centered

False Self

Content Self = True Self

I demand MY plans to be fulfilled.

NOW!

God, how can I glorify You?

I can’t do it by myself.

Help me witness your works!

Awaken to

Presence

Running after

worldly blessing

s

life

Experiential Knowledge of God

WitnessDivine Attributes

ReflectDivine Attributes

Does the GODLY VISION require us to forsake the blessings of life?

Are we here primarily to enjoy worldly blessings? Or to know, love and glorify the Loving One?

If we awaken to God’s Presence and transform our vision,

what would be different in our life?

• The mode of interaction with blessings

• Needs…• View on life• Decision making

When we awaken to God’s Presence and All-Encompassing Love,

how would our life be?

Life as prayer

connection = salat

Will we pick up the phone and answer?

God is making himself known to us…

Glorify the Sustainer of these wonders,

by saying and living:“God is Most

Great” (Allahu Akbar)

See Divine works everywhere…

Proclaim in love and ecstasy: You alone do we worship,

and from You alone do we seek help

The All-Merciful making Himself loved through the lovely fruits of His Mercy…

Thanking and praising Him: “All-Glorified are You, and all praise and gratitude are for You” (Subhanallah, Alhamdulillah)

The Real Giver of Gifts exhibiting His Care and Compassion through

His blessed gifts…

Bow in perception of His MajestyProstrate in humility and with awe and love...

He is displaying His Grace, Majesty, Perfection, and Grandeur in the “mirrors” of creatures –

renewing the displays constantly

Contemplating… “How beautifully they have been

made”

All-Majestic Maker’s exhibition of His artistry through creation…

Human free choice

Messengers, Book of Creation,

Holy Books, Conscience

Eternal Beauty and Perfection is making Himself

knownGod

Divine Message

God-Centered

Self-Centered

When we awaken to God’s Presence and All-Encompassing Love,

how would our life be?

Life as prayer

connection = salat

Experiential Knowledge of God

WitnessDivine Attributes

ReflectDivine Attributes

Using our God given potential, we fulfill our humanity by:• Awakening to and falling in love with the Divine

Attributes • Displaying loving devotion for the Conscious Loving

One• Establishing His Light’s reflection in the center of our

heart.

�ُح�ِّب+ َك �ُه�ْم� 2ون ُب �ُح� ُي �نُد�اًد4ا َأ �ِه� اِلَل ًد�وِن� َم�َّن �ِخ�ُذ� �َّت ُي َم�َّن �اِس� اِلَّن و�َم�َّن��ِه� �وا اِلَل آَم�َّن �ُذ�ُيَّن� +َل�ِه و�اِل ِل <ا ُب ُح� ُد2 �َش� َأ

And from among the people are some who take other than God as equals to Him,

they love them as they love God;

but those who believe love God more strongly(Qur’an 2:165)