Dr. M. Omar July 2012, Orlando Contemplating the Quran in Ramadan-2 Bismillah Awaken to Presence Transform your life workshop series Inspired by the First Word, authored by B. Said Nursi. See: Nursi, Words.

Let’s start with bismillah to understand bismillah … Internalizing bismillah opens the door to infinite blessings

DAY 9: Those who fast begin to “read” the creation as a “book” The first verse “Recite” (Alaq, 1) is revealed to the one who fast… The scattered is united; forgotten tastes awaken on the tongue of the one who fast… She begins to “read” in excitement. Her “bismillah” (in the name of God) is no longer merely words, but penetrates her heart. In this world where she owns nothing, she sees that she is living with the permission of the One. She notices that she has been welcomed to existence only and only by the grace of God. What her lips utter, her heart joins wholly: “Bismillahirrahmanirrahim." 1433/2012

Aiming for the Prophetic Path of Transformation Muhammad (p): “The utmost beauty (Ihsan) is to worship God as though you see Him, and if you cannot see Him, to be aware that He sees you” …to become certain of God’s Unity through confirming belief (iman = certainty) by personal witnessing/experience This is the secret of direct inner transformation

All beings exist in the name of God (bismillah)

Reality of Things? What is it? What is the meaning? Why is it created?

in need for power Power- less Needy in need for broadcasting Why? Actions Supplying of power Specific broadcasting Actions Supplying of power Specific broadcasting Qualities of Source Power Supply Broadcasting Qualities of Source Power Supply Broadcasting

The TV show is functioning in the name of its Source The TV show is a mirror to its Source’s qualities The TV show is a servant of its Source, valuable because of its Source

Reality of Things in need to be created Needy in need to be sustained Why? Actions Fashioning Sustaining Actions Fashioning Sustaining Qualities of Source Fashioner Sustainer Qualities of Source Fashioner Sustainer Power-less

The bird is functioning in the name of its Source The bird is a mirror to its Source’s qualities The bird is a servant of its Source, valuable because of its Source

How about us?

We need to be aware of bismillah Say it to bring it to our awareness Bismillah is full of infinite blessings

My Reality in need to be created Needy in need to be sustained Why? Actions Fashioning Sustaining Actions Fashioning Sustaining Qualities of Source Fashioner Sustainer Qualities of Source Fashioner Sustainer Human Power-less

I am functioning in the name of my Source I am a mirror to my Source’s qualities eg. Compassionate (Raheem)  I am a servant of my Source, valuable because of my Source

In reality I am always connected to the Source… When I try to live in His Name, everything in life starts making sense In my illusion (kufr = covering up reality) I imagine that I am the source of my life I fear losing it I worry all the time I assume that everything functions by itself Everything becomes a potential danger

The messengers of God brought the message of love and mercy Our state of hell is the result of our imagination and living according to it The message = bushra = glad-tidings is: Come to reality Come to felicity Come to peace & joy

The summary of the message: “Live in the awareness of bismillah” In the name of the Loving Grace, witness and become a mirror to Him… In the name of the Provider, witness and become a mirror to Him… Following the messengers mean to live a life in the name of God… By witnessing and becoming a mirror to God’s Divine Attributes

The simple prophetic solution: Surrender to the Truth I Choose (Loving Grace) Humility Surrendering: Accepting reality and living accordingly Arrogance Choosing the illusion: Who said my life is contingent to a Source? Ongoing process… Moment by moment…

Why is this critical? No paradigm shift, no inner peace… Not noticing that everything comes to existence by the Source, means I interact with it as if it is by itself… Iman in tongue and identity, but no iman in my daily life… 

Disconnect everything from its Source… assume it is acting in its name

Paradigm shift… see, feel, think, talk, act in the name of God…iman Noticing the Divine Attributes of the Source in everything, means I live/worship “as though I see God” Iman in tongue, in heart (love), in thoughts and action Inner peace… salam…

This way, each time we “say” bismillah we reaffirm confirm reinforce our belief in all of the above!