He does not refuse sustenance to the one who speaks ill of Him. How then could He refuse sustenance to the one whose soul is over flowing with love for Him?
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes divine generosity and love, suggesting that if God provides for those who speak negatively of Him, He certainly provides for those who love Him deeply.
Rabia Basri's quote illustrates the boundless nature of divine love and generosity. It contrasts the treatment of those who speak ill of God with that of those who express love and devotion. The underlying message highlights that true sustenance—be it spiritual or material—is given freely and abundantly to those who genuinely love God, reinforcing the idea that love is a powerful and transformative force in our relationship with the divine.
In practice
In a sermon about unconditional love and generosity, this quote could serve as a powerful illustration.
Your prayers are your light; _x000D_ _x000D_ Your devotion is your strength;_x000D_ _x000D_ Sleep is the enemy of both. _x000D_ _x000D_ Your life is the only opportunity that life can give you._x000D_ _x000D_ If you ignore it, if you waste it,_x000D_ _x000D_ You will only turn to dust.
O Beloved of Hearts, I beseech only You. Have pity this day on those who turn to You. My Hope, my Rest, my Delight, this heart can love none other but You.
True devotion is for itself: not to desire heaven nor to fear hell.
Great doubt will eventually lead to great awakening.
O God! if I worship Thee in fear of Hell, burn me in Hell; and if I worship Thee in hope of Paradise, exclude me from Paradise; but if I worship Thee for Thine own sake, withhold not thine everlasting beauty.
How many gifts and graces You have given me! How many favors You have fed me from your hand! I look for your love in all directions, then suddenly its blessing burns in me.
Florentina Ariza had kept his answer ready for fifty-three years, seven months and eleven days and nights. 'Forever,' he said.
Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it.
Some words have to be explicitly uttered, Lenore. Only by actually uttering certain words does one really DO what one SAYS. 'Love' is one of those words, performative words. Some words can literally make things real.
God knows I didn't mean to fall in love with her
She says I am not fair, that I lack manners;_x000D_ _x000D_ She calls me proud, and that she could not love me,_x000D_ _x000D_ Were man as rare as Phoenix.
The deeper you love yourself, the more the universe will affirm your worth. Then you can enjoy a lifelong love affair that brings you the richest fulfillment from inside out.
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