Drawing insightful lessons of life from the Quran in the Risale i Nur as
we saw how the fig and olive survived on snowy grounds during our
winter season outings in Jordan....
Almighty God reveals numerous
mysteries and significant points through oaths in the Quran and one of
the amazing oaths is “By the fig and the olive,”(95:1) which is as
follows: By swearing by the fig and the olive, Almighty God calls to
mind the immensity of His power and the perfection of His mercy and
His
extensive bounties, in order to redirect those people who are heading
for the lowest of the low, showing that they may progress spiritually,
through thanks, reflection, belief, and good works as far as the highest
of the high. The reason for specifying the fig and the olive is that as
fruits they are most blessed and beneficial, and their creation
comprises many notable things and bounties. For the olive is utilized
for illumination and food, and is a basic commodity in social and
commercial life. The fig is the same; it displays in its creation a
miracle of power by encapsulating in its minuscule seed all the members
of the huge fig-tree, and is a divine bounty both in its being a food,
and its uses, and contrary to other fruits its continuity, and many
other advantages. It calls all this to mind with the oath and instructs
man to draw lessons from them so as to believe and perform good works,
and not to fall to the lowest of the low (The Letters, p. 449).
Discovering Turkish hospitality in a world which is a guesthouse. Today,
my Turkish sister prepared meal to serve a few guests in a simple but
delightful way ...Masha Allah...
“Your
pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding.
Even as the stone of the fruit must break, that its heart may stand in
the sun, so must you know pain; and could you keep your heart in wonder
at the daily miracles of your life, your pain would not seem less
wondrous than your joy; and you would accept the seasons of your heart,
even as you have always accepted the seasons that pass over your fields;
and you would watch with serenity through the winters of your grief”-
Kahlil Gibran — in Sør-Trøndelag.
Being
a mother, a student, a writer, an educator and an entrepreneur are
truly challenging but rewarding experiences for me and I am still
learning. All we need is to take great courage to let go the past that
hurts while nurturing great hope to face the present that heals. "Do not
despair of God's mercy" (Q39:53).
