The Bawa Muhaiyaddeen Fellowship

A short talk given by M. R. Bawa Muhaiyaddeen from Questions of Life, Answers of Wisdom Volume 2.

Question: What is meant by Allahu?

Bawa Muhaiyaddeen: In each of our innermost hearts (qalbs) there is a sound which goes on resonating with the sound: hü, hü, hü, hü, a resonance that never diminishes no matter how much we take from it. It is that resonance that is Allähu. Mingling with the soul, it goes on resonating: hü, hü, hü. Mingling with wisdom, it goes on resonating: hü, hü, hü. Mingling with the blood, skin, and tissues, it strikes the note: haqq, haqq, haqq. Feel your pulse and see. You will feel it going: haqq, haqq, haqq. And everything that is flowing gives forth the sound: hü, hü, hü. It is that resonance that is called Allähu. That benevolence, that fullness of plenitude, which does not diminish by even an iota, no matter how much our hearts take from it, is what is called Allähu.

All trees, shrubs, flowers all bow in obeisance to that hü. Even the blades of grass, trees, branches, and leaves sway in tune to lä iläha (There is none worthy of worship other than You) and then bend forward to affirm illallähu (You alone are God). There is nothing other than You.

Fruits too sway from side to side before they fall. Birds, as soon as they wake up, look to one side and then to the other, and then drop their heads in obeisance. That to which every creation bows its head in obeisance is Allähu.

To turn our hearts toward Him and bow our heads to Him is what is pleasing to Him. It is that resonance, that Power, that is called Allähu. That Power is limitless grace and incomparable love, and it is to that grace, that love, that plenitude, that we bow our heads in worshipful obeisance. My precious children, jeweled lights of my eye! Are there any other questions?