1. Role of the Scripture in Spiritual Growth Mahmoud Haddara May 2008

2. Spirituality and Humans “When I have fashioned him and breathed My spirit into him, bow down before him, and the angels all did so.”[15:29-30]

3. Importance of Spirituality “The one who purifies his soul succeeds and the one who corrupts it fails.”[91:9-10] “God has been gracious to the believers in sending them a Messenger from among their own, to recite His revelations to them, to make them grow in purity, and to teach the Scripture and wisdom” [3:164]

4. Spirituality Preparation of the heart for seeking forgiveness and guidance “And those who when they commit an indecency or do injustice to their souls remember Allah and ask forgiveness for their faults” [3:135]

5. Spirituality A source of peace of the mind and heart "Those who believe, and whose hearts find satisfaction in the remembrance of God: for without doubt in the remembrance of God do hearts find satisfaction” [13:28]

6. Spirituality A tool for reflection and thinking “Most surely in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day there are signs for those who understand. Those who remember God standing and sitting and lying on their sides and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth: Our Lord! Thou hast not created this in vain! Glory be to Thee; save us then from the chastisement of the fire” [3:190-191]

7. Importance of Remembering God “He it is Who sends blessings on you, as do His angels, that He may bring you out from the depths of Darkness into Light: and He is Full of Mercy to the Believers” [33:43] “Their salutation on the day that they meet Him shall be, Peace, and He has prepared for them an honorable reward” [33:44]

8. Remembering God At all times The depth of the night and before sunrise are specially recommended “And celebrate the name of thy Lord (in the) morning and evening. And part of the night, prostrate thyself to Him; and glorify Him a long night through” [76: 25-26]

9. Manners Humbly Without raising the voice Without disturbing others “And do thou (O reader!) Bring thy Lord to remembrance in thy (very) soul, with humility and in reverence, without loudness in words, in the mornings and evenings; and be not thou of those who are unheedful” [7: 205]

10. Rituals Prayers, charity and fasting are tools for promoting spirituality "Verily, I am God: There is no god but I: So serve Me and keep up prayer for My remembrance” [20:14] “Recite that which has been revealed to you of the Book and keep up prayer; surely prayer keeps (one) away from indecency and evil, and certainly the remembrance of God is the greatest, and God knows what you do” [29:45]

11. Rituals “Who gives away his wealth, that he may purify himself” [92:18] “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may guard against evil” [2:183]

12. The Power of Supplication David [38:20] Joseph [12:93-96] Mary’s mother [3:35-37] Zachariah [3:38-40].

13. The Model The belief in the oneness of God Performing the rituals Adopting a holistic approach Continuity Flexibility Moderation