99 Al-Wadūd

Al-Wadūd (ٱلْوَدُودُ)

The Most Loving, The Affectionate, The Devoted One

Pronounced: al-wa-DOOD Root: و-د-د (W-D-D) — to love, to desire good for, to be affectionate, to long for with warmth

Original Invocation (Arabic Calligraphy):ٱلْوَدُودُ

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Sacred Reflection

Al-Wadūd is not love as idea.

Not love as duty.

Not love as reward.

He is love as essence.

He is the One who loves, not from distance, not in theory, but with touch,

with closeness, with presence.

Where Ar-Raḥmān pours mercy over all, Al-Wadūd comes closer still,

cradling the soul like a Beloved.

In Sufi knowing, this Name is Divine longing made form.

Not only the love of a Creator for His creation, but the intimate, yearning

love of a Beloved for the one He adores.

He does not merely say, “I love you.”

He acts in love.

He moves toward the wounded.

He chooses even the ones who have walked away a thousand times.

This is not general kindness.

It is personal, tender, unwavering devotion.

The kind of love that sees your scars and kisses them gently, not to erase them, but to say,

“Even here, I want you.”

He does not love because you have been good.

He loves because you are His.

And He keeps loving.

Even when you break.

Even when you run.

Even when all you can offer back is silence.

Al-Wadūd does not flinch.

He draws nearer.

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Parts Work Invitation

What part of you still does not believe it can be loved?

The one that says,

“I’ve messed up too much.”

“No one stays when they see the real me.”

“I don’t know how to receive love without earning it.”

Let that part be held now by Al-Wadūd.

Let it hear:

I have loved you through every exile.

I have never turned My face from you.

And I never will.

Let it feel:

This is not performance-based love.

This is covenant love.

This is the kind of love that knew you fully and chose you anyway.

Let this part know:

It does not have to get smaller.

It does not have to disappear.

It does not have to hide its ache or earn its place.

Al-Wadūd loves the exact place that feels unlovable.

He does not wait for that part to improve.

He places His hand upon it now and says:

You are already My beloved.

Not someday.

Not if.

Now.

Let this part feel what it is like to be wanted by God.

Not pitied.

Not tolerated.

Wanted.

Stay with that warmth a little longer.

Let it begin to believe:

I am not just seen.

I am cherished.

I am not just held.

I am adored.