Hello Athar,

This is wonderful. I'm not Muslim but was a Religious Studies student and Islam was one of the religions we studied. And admired, especially the spirituality of Sufism. Mahayana Buddhism informs my life now, although I consider my self a seeker of wisdom rather than a follower of any one religion. I have found wisdom in the spirituality of all religions and how, at the base, it's the same. Everything that is, is the NOW, this moment because there is no other. And I do, of course, believe in the One God, no matter the name given, because there is but One. Allah means 'The God', I think, with the predicate emphasized to make the there is NO other God then 'The God'; there is no comparison.

Anyone who believes in God believes in one God so all believe in the same God. I believe in God but simply think 'Father', you use 'Allah', a Christian may use 'Lord', a Hebrew 'Yahweh'. Every religion has its own way of referring to God and many who aren't affiliated with a particular religion simply think 'The Universe' or 'The IS'.

In a way, I guess I do 'follow' a religion but not one still around. I try to live as a 'Follower of the Way', as Jesus's followers called themselves. Jesus was Jewish and taught as a Jew nut he saw wisdom in writings of the Prophets where others only saw the words and he wanted people to follow his way, the way he taught to reach God. I think that everyone will find God in his or her own way but religion can be a great way to clear the mind and be silent, and contemplate on Spirit, God by any name.

I tend to ramble, I meant to applaud you for this insightful story and its emphasis on the Now, presence and being in the moment. These words struck me as what I've long considered true:

'we need more presence in NOW,'

'presence'

'the mind’s quiet awareness of here and now'

'abandon preoccupation with the past and the future'

'be present in the moment'

'a state of tranquil calmness leading to contentment in life, leading to stillness'

All words to live by. Literally, words to live by.

Thanks for sharing.