American Democratic Islam teaches students to see problems as potential blessings, a transformative experience that ushers in new good when God’s name is evoked. The principle at work is, “First in mind then in manifestation.”
Stop and reflect for a moment, is not everything created twice, first in thought then in physical form? Consider the chair you are sitting on. It was conceived first, then created. Everything begins in thought. So too with solving problems.
Because your mind is the conduit through which ideas flow, adding God’s names into your stream of consciousness empowers you. You will never face a problem that God cannot solve.
Each name is “good news,” a way of thinking about the nature of God when Monday morning delivers a setback. We encourage you to contemplate, internalize and savor each name. Committing them to memory stores them in your subconscious mind for later recall.
When a problem rings your doorbell on Monday-morning, you will spontaneously answer the door with the corresponding divine name. A side note: adding the names to your prayer time is helpful too because praying at five intervals spread throughout the day keeps the divine names fresh and in the ready position.
We at American Democratic Islam hope that you will memorize the names for that is a first step in self-directed Qur’anic interpretation. We ask you to develop a personal relationship with God through addressing God by name. If you do, we believe you will have the experience told by Saint Francis:
Saint Francis walked past an almond tree in the middle of winter with temperatures below zero and the ground covered in snow. He paused, turned to the almond tree, and said,
“Speak to me of God!”
The almond tree broke into bloom.
