A few days ago, we hiked through what is known in Turkish as a “Yayla” or highland.  These are vast grassy areas on top of mountains where no trees grow due to the high elevation.  As we travelled on the Yayla, a very powerful hadeeth qudsi came upon my heart.  It was a text I had first heard beautifully explained by Shaykh Mokhtar, may Allah preserve him, years ago. 

يَا ابْنَ آدَمَ تَفَرَّغْ لِعِبَادَتِي أَمْلأْ صَدْرَكَ غِنًى وَأَسُدَّ فَقْرَكَ

O son of Adam, empty yourself for my worship.  I will fill your heart with richness and I will guarantell you freedom from poverty….

The Yayla had no trees, rivers, and little wildlife; but it felt full with beautiful fulfilling serenity.  It was as if it exemplified the text. 

If only I empty my heart from excessive attachments I have built over the years to material elements of this dunya, the Divine himself will fill my heart with what is most beautiful and majestic.  If I can redo my “life schedule” from scratch once again, and add only what it going to be a means to fulfilling my role as an ‘abd, I too may be able to feel the vast fulfilling expanse inside my heart. 

May Allah give us the strength to let go of what holds us down, and to empty our hearts for Him — to then to be filled by our Most Wise and Lovingly Merciful Lord.