#islam #ramzan #sacredGeometry #unity – Rana Safvi https://ranasafvi.com A blog exploring India's Ganga Jamuni Tehzeeb or its rich multi plural multi cultural heritage via its adab, tehzeeb & tareekh Tue, 26 Mar 2024 19:49:55 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 https://ranasafvi.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/image-7-75x75.jpg #islam #ramzan #sacredGeometry #unity – Rana Safvi https://ranasafvi.com 32 32 179612229 Ikhlas or Sincerity https://ranasafvi.com/ikhlas-or-sincerity/ https://ranasafvi.com/ikhlas-or-sincerity/#respond Tue, 26 Mar 2024 19:49:52 +0000 https://ranasafvi.com/?p=39288 #DastarkhwaneRamzan

If I adore You out of fear of Hell, burn me in Hell!
If I adore you out of desire for Paradise,
Lock me out of Paradise.
But if I adore you for Yourself alone,
Do not deny to me Your eternal beauty.
Rabia al Basri

Sincerity is worshipping Allah for His sake, and not with the expectation of rewards or out of fear of punishment. This is best exemplified in Rabia al-Basri’s aforementioned verse.
Sincere worship is to embrace the divine command with utmost humility – in heart and spirit. Sincerity in oneself is to avoid being critical of others; sincerity of the heart is to be oblivious to others’ opinions about you, and sincerity of the spirit is cleansing oneself of the desire to be distinguished.
( from In Search of the Divine)

]]> https://ranasafvi.com/ikhlas-or-sincerity/feed/ 0 39288 Sacred Geometry in Islamic Architecture https://ranasafvi.com/sacred-geometry-in-islamic-architecture/ https://ranasafvi.com/sacred-geometry-in-islamic-architecture/#respond Tue, 26 Mar 2024 19:47:32 +0000 https://ranasafvi.com/?p=39285 #DastarkhwaneRamzan
The evolution of Islamic art and culture initially upheld the prohibition against depicting living beings. However, as Islam spread, encounters with diverse artistic traditions from regions like Syria, Iraq, Persia, North Africa, and Spain led to noticeable influences. Many artists from these areas continued their work after embracing Islam, resulting in a cultural exchange reflected in Islamic decorative art, particularly in architecture.
Geometric patterns conveyed concepts of infinity and divine symmetry, while flowers symbolized the heavenly gardens. Art and architecture, adorned with patterns representing divine attributes and nature’s bounty, showcased the belief in the omnipresence of Divine Beauty.

Photo: Imam Mosque , Isfahan (2019)

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