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The Heart of the Koran presents meditations on 991 verses of the Holy Koran, the Arabic Book of Books which records in 6,666 verses the Divine Words spoken by God directly through His beloved servant, Muhammad. I have composed these interpretations of 148 Koranic passages to encourage practitioners of other sacred traditions, as well as independent students of culture, to encounter the rich meaning and uplifting beauty that Muslims on all levels of spiritual maturity experience daily as they read, chant, and pray from the Holy Scripture of Islam. A word-for-word translation of the Koran in any language cannot begin to suggest the beauty and magnitude of meaning found in the Arabic original by the devout believers, the profound scholars, and the marvelous mystics who have flowered so abundantly throughout the fourteen centuries of Islamic tradition. I have attempted in The Heart of the Koran to depart from literal, scholarly English translations and to explore in mystical and poetic language Koranic passages that clearly present the central teachings of Islam.

Sheikh Muzaffer, renowned leader of the Halveti-Jerrahi Dervish Order in Istanbul, once remarked to me that there are as many levels of meaning to the Koran as there are words, even as there are letters, in the Holy Book. This statement served as a powerful initiation into the mystery of the Koran, for from that moment my attitude toward this monumental world scripture began to be transformed. I no longer experienced the text of the Koran as a flat, two-dimensional surface, the way I had during graduate study in world religions, but as a multi-dimensional tapestry of mystical teaching.

The transition from the academic study of religion to the inward experience, or practice, of its living tradition is unique in every individual case. My own journey was not solitary but carefully guided by two powerful Islamic figures, Bawa Muhaiyaddeen from Sri Lanka and Sheikh Muzaffer Ozak from Istanbul. I assimilated subtle truths about Islam not only from these two perfected human beings but also from their Eastern and Western disciples, who form spiritual communities of great purity and intensity that demonstrate esoteric understanding in daily life. Both these Sufi Masters made comments about the manuscript of The Heart of the Koran, not primarily through words but through the mysterious gestures common among mystics. Bawa Muhaiyaddeen put the first typescript in his bed, eight years ago, as if to keep it concealed until the right time. Sheikh Muzaffer placed a later version of the manuscript on his head after my meditation on Sura 103 was translated for him, and exclaimed in Turkish, "This is the Holy Koran."

THE PRACTICE OF ISLAM

To be Muslim in the universal sense is to be one who longs to turn completely toward the ultimate Source, in Arabic called Allah. Who is and who is not truly Muslim is a secret known only to Allah Most High. No human being can judge another concerning this most intimate experience of affirming and returning to the One Reality. The question of where a person stands along the exalted way of Islam, of whether one practices the five times daily prayer, or even which prophet one follows among the many sent by Allah, can only be a subject for dialogue between the soul and its All-Merciful Lord. There can be no compulsion or persecution in authentic Islam. Whoever affirms and longs to return to the ultimate Source of the universe is the beloved spiritual sister or brother of the true Muslim. Since every soul is a ray from the Divine Light, this longing to turn and to return is the secret essence of each person. Thus all humanity, even all creation, is Muslim.

Once the universal nature of Islam is understood as the religion natural to the human soul taught by God through prophets sent to every nation in history, we can better appreciate the beauty of the Shariah, the particular holy way of life demonstrated by the Prophet Muhammad.

The Shariah is the sharply focused dimension of Islam, where every aspect of spiritual practice and daily life is gracefully choreographed. Every movement of ablution and prayer, performing the pilgrimage, fasting, and giving alms is rich with meaning and power, for it was first made by the Prophet of Allah. Through my close friendship with Sheikh Muzaffer I have been able to glimpse the union of the two dimensions of Islam -universal, all embracing, ecstatic love, and the careful precision of a deeply sanctified and morally committed daily life. Sheikh Muzaffer demonstrated the unity of these two modes: the Haqiqah, or way of ultimate truth, and the Shariah, or path of religious discipline.

The most exalted mystical love and knowledge which perceive the whole universe constantly returning into the Source, and even entirely merged in the Source, can be profoundly expressed through the faithfulness and precision of daily religious disciplines. In the case of historical Islam, this means to live life in detail as the beloved Prophet lived it, as documented by the Holy Koran and by the Prophet's own oral tradition. Such harmony between the vision of the all-transcending truth and the humane activity of a dedicated fife in society is the richest possible experience. This experience is, in fact, the fullness of being human. Personal and cultural being, the being of the universe, and the Source of Being are thus mysteriously integrated.

Sheikh Muzaffer was known for the radiance of spirit with which he performed the daily prayers of Islam. In the simple, powerful movements of his prostrations, which are the same movements practiced by a Muslims, there shone forth the marvelous correspondence between the open expanse of Divine Light and the responsible earthly fife of humanity. One could be awakened to a more profound understanding of Islam simply by seeing Sheikh Muzaffer at prayer in his small shop beneath the grapevines in the booksellers' section of the Istanbul bazaar. In 1985, this Grand Sheikh breathed his last breath, forehead on his prayer carpet in prostration, while making midnight prayers in his home beside the Sea of Marmara.

The practice of the Shariah, or the path of religious discipline, links together the highest saints and the simplest believers from every Islamic culture in the world into a single family. No one can experience the refreshing ablutions and peaceful prayers of Islam without sensing the quiet elation and deep unity shared by this vast spiritual family, deep below the surface of cultural tensions. Repeating the Holy Name of Allah as one rinses the hands, mouth, nostrils, face, head, forearms, and feet three times with cool water in the traditional ablutions before prayer, one feels not only surprising physical refreshment, but also farreaching purification of thought and emotion.

To face in the direction of the holy city of Mecca, allowing the entire body and mind to flow into the prostrations of Muslim prayer, awakens the sense of plunging directly into the Divine Presence. The physical space before one disappears, and the rich blackness of the Ka'bah, the sacred shrine in Mecca, appears mysteriously to the spiritual sensibility. One is then drawn closer and closer to this imageless and radiant blackness until all forms - one's own body as well as the universe itself - merge into the unfathomable Divine Mystery. This holy mystery is then recognized as the one Power performing the prayers and receiving the prayers, as both the act of praise and that which is being praised. Although not always experienced by the surface mind, this mystic unity is the essence of the Islamic prayers into which the whole being of the Muslim plunges five times every day, not merely to fulfill a ritual requirement but to swim joyfully and peacefully in the ocean of Divine Love. The prayers are the union of Shariah and Haqiqah, the merging of formal religious practice with the mysterious truth of unity that transcends all forms and all traditions.

During the course of the five prayer periods every day, each of which is brief but whose cumulative effect pervades life completely, the opening chapter of the Holy Koran, the Sura Fatihah, is repeated some forty times. In addition to these daily repetitions, this Sura is repeated whenever one passes the tomb of a saint, when giving thanks after a meal, or when seeking the protection of God from various physical or spiritual dangers. Over a thousand times every month, the illuminating energy of this fundamental prayer from the Holy Koran is inwardly invoked by the Muslim, until it becomes a constant ringing presence in the deeper regions of awareness.

According to the oral tradition of the Prophet, the entire power of the Koran is contained in this brief Sura, the chanting of which allows one to participate in the mysterious descent of the Holy Koran to earth, the process by which the ultimate Source transmitted Divine Words to humanity through the perfectly human body and mind of the Prophet of Allah. This mystical participation of our entire being in the descent of the Divine Words is what The Heart of the Koran attempts to illuminate for English readers in every culture of the modem world.

Early in our friendship, I was sitting with Sheikh Muzaffer one late afternoon in the ancient Bayazit Mosque of Istanbul. It was during Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting which commemorates the Prophet's own retreat to the mountain cave where he first experienced the descent of the Koran. We were enjoying together the poignant beauty of a hafiz, an Islamic cantor, singing the Holy Koran from memory, verses which he had repeated since childhood and which had become as natural to him as his own breathing. Gazing into the great domed space, radiant and peaceful, surrounded by this living revelation in pure sound, I was granted the vision of a transluscent emerald mosque, above even the highest Paradise. There were no human figures visible, only a vast Koran whose letters radiated light and whose pages turned gracefully as it spontaneously chanted itself. Later, the Sheikh confirmed to me that this had been an authentic mystical experience, not simply the product of creative imagination.

The penetration of my awareness into the deeper levels of meaning of the Holy Koran - teachings that are confirmed and safeguarded by the initiatory lineages, the mystical Orders of Islam - came initially through an exhilarating but completely natural experience which unfolded one spring morning in a peaceful house near New York City, where a large window overlooks a garden and a river.

This experience occurred one month after I had become the intimate friend of Sheikh Muzaffer. Our first encounter had been extremely powerful - a meeting of mind and heart that lasted for six days and nights. When the Grand Sheikh of the Halveti-Jerrahi Order returned to Istanbul from New York, I began to read the interpretation of the Koran by Professor A. J. Arberry and, following the instructions of my Sheikh, to repeat seven hundred times every day the central Islamic affirmation la ilaha illa’llah, signifying: "There is nothing worthy of worship other than the ultimate Source of the universe, whose most holy Arabic name is Allah." According to the mystical tradition of Islam, this affirmation implies that nothing exists apart from Allah Most High, that every being is a ray of light and power from the ever-present Source.

During this period of spiritual preparation, I spent one evening a week with Sheikh Muzaffer's American dervish community, drinking black tea and intensely chanting the Divine Names until dawn. I had been informed that the higher teachings in the contemplative Orders of Islam were expected to come directly through dreams. Looking back at the process, I find the only surprise was that I happened to be awake when the transcendent dream occurred.

WITH THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD
IN PARADISE

My soul departs its earthly body and is taken in waking dream to Paradise. Led by a loving guide, it discovers vast, radiant gardens filled with joyous beings of light, who are engaged in countless forms of whirling, chanting, and silent contemplation.

Though overwhelmed with the beauty of paradise, my soul wishes to understand the whole picture, and therefore asks its guide where the fires of Hell are to be found. Smiling, the guide replies: "Dear friend, there is no separate realm that you call Hell."

My soul, steeped in the revelation of Islam, responds immediately: "But we read in the Holy Koran that those who deny Allah will suffer in Hell eternally." The beloved guide replies firmly: "But you read again and again in the Holy Koran that Allah is all-compassionate and all-merciful. How could an all compassionate Power create a realm expressly designed for beings to suffer even for an instant, much less for eternity?"

This response startles and intrigues my soul, but it remains unconvinced. Perceiving this, the guide continues: "What is taught in the mystic tradition about the person who, even once, repeats with utmost sincerity la ilaha illa’llah -the ultimate Source alone is worthy of worship?" Joyously my soul replies: "Such a one is counted among the blessed and after death awakens immediately into Paradise."

"Good!" exclaims the guide, "and since all souls are rays from the Divine Light, the essence of every being is this affirmation that Allah alone is worthy of worship, and all beings awaken, after the siccp of death, directly into Paradise."

My soul is exhilarated by this profound explanation, but because of its deep commitment to the words of the Koran, it still hesitates to accept the truth that there is no separate realm called Hell. The beloved guide sees this hesitation and offers my soul the final solution to its doubt, 'My dear friend, it is true that when a soul who bas so practiced the life of loving submission to Allah reaches
Paradise, it cannot bear the intense radiance here, so falls
asleep again and dreams of Hell. Hellfire is simply the purifying radiance of Paradise. And all dreams, even dreams of eternal damnation, are but momentary. These dreaming souls soon awaken into Paradise purified and joyously praising the A1l-Merciful One." The explanation now complete, my soul feels the full coherence and power of this marvelous truth.

However, this mystical teaching deepens the soul's longing to understand completely, so almost at once a profound question arises: "Revered guide, if the experience of Hell is but a dream~ may not the experience of Paradise - its dancing maidens, its flowing streams, its radiant dervishes-may not all this be a dream as well?" The guide responds with delight: "Ah, my dear, dear friend, you have guessed the secret. Paradise, too, is a dream. But it is Allah's perfect dream, totally unlike the fragmentary and confused dreams experienced by earthly beings."

These words kindle the ecstasy of mystical knowledge in my soul, and it realizes that this unsurpassable guide is none other than the Prophet Muhammad, may the peace and blessing of Allah always be upon him. And in this state of holy exultation the soul becomes bold enough to question the Prophet of Allah: "Beloved guide, are you, too, a dream, telling me that Hell and Paradise are dreams?" The most excellent of guides responds instantly and with great power: "I am the dream key to the dream lock of the dream door that opens into the treasure of Divine Love, which alone is not a dream."

Through the spiritual potency of these words the mystical door opens. My soul enters and is lost in the treasure of love. The dream of Paradise disappears. All that remains is the profound sense of Allah's own resonance, the silent thunder of Allah, Allah, Allah. From this primordial holy sound all the universes are being born, and into it they are disappearing again.

Suddenly, my soul finds itself once more in the radiant Divine Dream called Paradise. The beloved guide takes my soul in his arms and holds it in tender embrace, saying: "Now you know that we are inseparable." My soul looks down and sees its own form no longer as a body of light, but as a body fully composed of Divine Love. And then, hand in hand, the two who are one stroll through the radiance of Paradise, joyously praising the All-Merciful One.

The guide now leads my soul to a vast window at the border of Paradise. From here the soul can look out upon Allah's Creation, both in its cosmic sweep and in its intimate detail. Gazing at this awesome display, my soul suddenly feels intense nostalgia: "Beloved guide, can one ever return to the created universe from Paradise?"

Smiling once more, the guide replies: "There is no separate realm which you call Creation." Through the spiritual potency of these words, my soul perceives immediately that this is not a window but a huge spherical mirror that surrounds Paradise on all sides. When the elements of Paradise are reflected in the immense curvature of this mirror, they appear as the elements of creation. The flowing streams of Paradise, when reflected, appear as the streams of all sentient life. When the dancing maidens of Paradise are reflected, they appear as the life-bearing planets. When the dervishes of Paradise are reflected, they appear as the precious human souls. The entire universe is simply the reflection of a Divine Dream.

While contemplating this marvelous correspondence between creation and Paradise, my soul catches sight of its own earthly form, standing in a house on a spring morning, gazing across a river. "Beloved guide, I have the vivid sensation of being in two places at once." Again smiling, the guide replies: "My dear friend, when you look at your face in a mirror, do you really imagine that you are in two places at once? Are you not always where your original form is?"

Once again the words of the guide carry initiatory power, and my soul, when it looks back to catch another glimpse of its earthly form, perceives all creation as a reflection of its own face. Overwhelmed by this realization, my soul turns to its guide only to see Paradise, and even the beloved guide himself, as a reflection of its own face. Nothing disappears. All Being, in brilliant detail, is simply perceived as one face.

Then a voice is heard emanating powerfully from the rivers, gardens, and dervishes of Paradise, as well as from all the crystal-clear facets of creation: "Do you accept this pure love in all its forms as Allah's embrace?" And not simply my soul but all souls answer simultaneously, "Yes, forever!"

The Jerrahi dervish who translated my account of this experience from English to Turkish for Sheikh Muzaffer told me that certain secret oral teachings of his Order were clearly alluded to in the dream, confirming my own conviction that this waking dream was a mystic transmission of the way of Pir Nureddin Jerrahi, the consummate saint of love from Istanbul. Sultan Muhammad Nureddin Jerrahi disappeared from physical eyes in 1721, but continues to radiate as a powerful ray of light from the ever-present Source. I once asked Sheikh Muzaffer, who was the nineteenth leader of the Jerrahi Order in direct succession from its august founder, what special Divine Gift this saint had brought to humanity. Why had he been born? Muzaffer Efendi replied: "For love, for love, for love." He then explained that Pir Nureddin had demonstrated the mystic way of melting, evaporating, and disappearing into Allah, only to reappear again as Divine Love itself.

Based on the guiding power and inner permission granted by this dream, I have meditated on the Holy Koran both as a teaching and as a direct expression of mystic love, Allah Most High is the Source of love. Souls are the lovers of love. Creation, which is the reflection of the Divine Dream called Paradise, is Allah's

embrace. Helifire is the mercifully purifying radiance of Allah. The Divine Revelation shining through all the prophets is the path of love. The Prophet Muhammad is the dream key, abiding in the secret heart of all humanity, which is the dream lock. The Holy Koran, in all its mysterious facets, is the dream door which opens to the treasure of Divine Love that alone is not a dream. Upon truly hearing the Divine Words of the Holy Koran, that ultimate door opens.

One cannot present the Koran in this fashion solely through efforts of scholarship or accomplishments of poetic art, but only through the love of Allah. Divine Love and Divine Knowledge are focused through the inner guidance of the Nur Muhammad, the Muhammad of Light, the pre-existent Logos as understood by Islam. This light shines before all worlds and is manifested through the beloved Muhammad of Arabia, as through all 124,000 prophets which the Islamic tradition teaches were sent by Allah Most High, beginning with Adam and extending with perfect continuity through Abraham, Moses, and Jesus.

THE ESSENCE OF ISLAM

There exists only one Supreme Source, inexhaustible Power calling Itself Allah, -ie profoundly living One, the Life beyond .-ne that never diminishes. The One Reality -tver sleeps, nor even for a moment rests Its -mbracing Awareness. To the One alone be- ngs the emanation of planetary existence and --e seven higher planes of Being, as spreading -;ys of sunlight belong to a single sun. There is being who can turn toward the Ever-Present 1)urce in prayer or contemplation except ,-rough the Power and Love that flow from -e Source Itself. Since the Ultimate Source ~-)ides beyond time, It always remains perfectly - ware of what causes precede and what results ~llow from each event. Human beings can _: rnprehend nothing of this encompassing Aware-tss save what Allah Most High transmits to .-L-m as gifts of Grace. All creation, including 7 anetary and heavenly planes, is the brilliant --irone of Allah. To sustain and protect this 3m manifestation of Divine Energy involves effort at all for the Original Source, Who is -premely transcendent and Who subsists lely as Radiance.

My beloved Muhammad, there should never be the slightest compulsion brought to bear upon any person to walk the exalted way of Islam. Allow humanity to be attracted spontaneously to Islam by its utmost clarity, for Islam simply makes clear the truth that there can be only one Source. This truth dissolves the primal error that turns away from the Ultimate Source by mistaking various limited views to be ultimate. Whoever ceases to rely on any idol, on any limited human understanding, and relies for strength solely on the limitless Source Who calls Itself Allah, has grasped the most trustworthy support, the clear and indestructible essence of Islam.

Allah Most Wise hears inwardly the spoken and unspoken prayers, and perceives intimately the open and hidden motivations of all beings. Allah Most Merciful gives the perfect guidance and full protection of His Divine Friendship to those who affirm the Source of Love with every breath. Those who live the life of constant spiritual affirmation, Allah Most High brings forth from the shadow realm of subjective impulses and limited concepts into the Clear Light of the Source. But those who turn away from the Source of Light, who for guidance and protection rely on the graven images of limitation, are drawn from the clarity of Revelation into the realm of shadows, and will inevitably experience the Splendor of Allah as blinding fire.

-meditation on Holy Koran 2:255-257

THE PRAYER OF
THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD

My beloved Messenger, please teach human beings aspiring to true humanity to pray: "Most exalted Allah, Ruler of the radiant expanse of earthly and heavenly realms, You reveal the potent secrets of Your kingdom to whomever You will, and veil them from whomever You will. As pure Divine Mystery, You elevate whomever You will and limit whomever You will. Your Hands of Power and Goodness hold whatever is needed for the development of each living being, shaping as sensitive spiritual teaching every personal and every cosmic event, for through You alone all events become possible. You alone cause the night of ignorance to disappear into the day of knowledge, and the day of human knowledge, in turn, to disappear into the night of Divine Mystery. You alone cause the living to enter the sleep of death, and You alone awaken those who have died into Your Own transcendent Life. Most precious Allah, Your constant provision for the evolution of all beings is subtle beyond any understanding."

-meditation on Holy Koran 3:26-27

THE LIFE OF JESUS
AS REVEALED TO MARY

The angels called: "Dearest Mary, listen. Allah Most High sends you joyous news of the Divine Word, emanating directly from the Source of Love, whose mystical name is Messiah and who will be known as the noble Jesus. He will be profoundly honored in this world, and in the realm of Paradise he is eternally beloved, abiding with the most intimate companions of Love, deep within the Radiance of Allah. The Messiah Jesus will transmit truth to humanity, beginning as an infant in his cradle and continuing until he reaches manhood. He will be utterly righteous and pure of heart."

The Virgin Mary turned directly to the Ultimate Source and prayed: "Most precious Allah, bow can I bear a child, since no man has known me?- Allah Most Merciful then awakened Mary spiritually by placing these Divine Words in her heart "My beloved Mary, the Source of Power can manifest whatever is needed to guide humanity. To project any being or event, Allah simply affirms it and it is. Through your spontaneously conceived child, the Source of Truth will confirm the truth of the Holy Torah. Through this luminous child, the Source of Wisdom will transmit the wisdom of the Holy Gospel. My beloved Jesus will declare to the People of Israel: 'Behold, I have come with wonderful signs from the Source of Love and Power. As a child I molded from river clay the likeness of a bird. When I breathed on it, by the mysterious permission of Allah, it became a white dove that took wing before my mother’s eyes. Through me, the Divine Power heals those born blind, cleanses lepers, and reawakens those who have fallen into the sleep of death. I demonstrate the Power of Allah by knowing precisely what people have experienced, what worldly wealth they have stored in their houses, and what spiritual treasure they have hidden within their hearts. These are demonstrations of Love to turn human beings toward the Source of Love. I have come to confirm the Words of Torah that were revealed before me, and also to bring new spiritual freedom_ To give the people of Torah confidence in my Prophethood have I come with powerful signs from Allah Most Sublime. By responding wholeheartedly to me, you will be turning toward the Light of Allah. Allah alone is my Source and your Source. The direct path to illumination is to turn your whole life toward the Ever-Present Source."'

The Resonance of Allah continued to spring forth in the heart of the Virgin Mary: "When the noble Jesus teaches thus, he will be rejected by his people and will cry out: 'Who will help to bear and to transmit the Truth of Allah that is flowing through me?’ The blessed apostles will respond: ‘Revered teacher, we will be your humble companions and the instruments of Allah Most High for we have surrendered our lives to the Source of Life. You can witness our submission. We believe wholeheartedly that you are sent as Holy Messenger from the Source and Goal of Being. May our names be inscribed in the Heavenly Book among those who will follow and serve the Messiah Jesus always.’

"After the bitter scheming of those who live in negation of Love been been brought to nothing by the Power of Allah, the Voice of Truth will call these Divine Words into the heart of His holy servant: “My beloved Jesus, I now draw you back into Me and exalt your being so that you may merge into My Being. I now purify and heal you from the harsh touch of those who deny that you are a messenger from the Source of Love. Be assured that I will transfigure with My Love all those who sincerely follow you and awakening from the sleep of death, they will experience the radiant resurrection of Paradise. Be assured as well that all souls will eventually return to Me to resolve the conflict and confusion of their earthly journey."

-meditation on Holy Koran 3:45-55

TORAIL GOSPEL, AND KORAN

The Supreme Source sent Jesus, son of My beloved Mary, to walk the noble way of all the Prophets, those deeply cherished guides of humanity. Through the Prophet Jesus, the Source of Wisdom transmitted the Radiant Gospel, full of the same Light of Truth that streams through the Living Torah, resonant with warning and guidance for those who turn with purity of heart toward Allah Most Sublime. The people of the living Gospel, called Christians, can continue to live wisely in the light of the Revelation granted to them through My beloved Jesus. Only those are turning away from Allah Most High who abandon the wisdom that flows to their own people, through their own Prophets, from the Source of Wisdom.

The Eternal Source now reveals through you, My beloved Muhammad, this sublime Book of Truth, which confirms and safeguards the essential teaching of the Torah, the Gospel, and all the other authentic scriptures that existed before them. Thus Jewish and Christian traditions should be accepted reverently in the light of the Glorious Koran that descends gracefully through you. But you should not accept any teachings or practices of these earlier traditions which have sprung from limited human conceptions, or which contradict the clear principles of Truth revealed through the Holy Koran.

The Source of Life has shown the Prophets of all nations harmonious ways of life and open gateways into the Radiance of Allah. The Source of Power could have united all peoples into a single nation, but Allah Most Merciful has chosen to manifest His Truth through various sacred traditions as teaching and testing for human beings.

If each spiritual nation practices faithfully the path revealed through its own Holy Prophets, then all humanity will return together to the Source of Love. When time ends, on the Day of Truth, Allah alone will clarify the variations and contradictions among historical traditions. While abiding on the earthly plane of Being, evaluate the paths of Torah and Gospel in the light of this Living Koran that the Resonance of Allah is reciting through you. My beloved, never allow your people to be drawn away from the fundamental principle of Divine Unity by contrary teachings that other traditions may maintain. These are human distortions of previous Divine Revelations that remain essentially pure.

-meditation on Holy Koran 5:49-52 N