Are you feeling disconnected from your faith, struggling with self-doubt, or longing for a more personal and loving relationship with God? This book by A. Helwa explores the spiritual heart of Islam through reflection, practice, and timeless teachings, inviting you to rediscover God’s love and find true inner peace. In this Secrets of Divine Love summary, we explore the spiritual core of Islamic teachings and help you find ways to get closer to your Creator and rediscover your purpose.
What is the Story of Divine Love about?
Many people yearn for a deep, loving connection with God, but instead feel distant, unworthy, or as if something essential is missing.
The author A. Helwa experienced this herself. Born into a Muslim family, she gave up prayer as a teenager and spent years searching for peace.
She visited mosques around the world, lived in a monastery, meditated with Buddhist monks, and studied Taoism and Kabbalah. Then, she met a teacher at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, whose words about God’s love touched her heart and changed how she saw faith.
Helwa still felt inadequate to write this book—until she heard God’s whisper that no one is good enough on their own. Faith is about opening our hearts, so God can fill what’s missing and guide us toward our purpose.
In this free Secrets of Divine Love summary, we learn with Helwa on her spiritual journey. She integrates insights from the Qur’an, the lives of the prophets, teachings from Islamic scholars and spiritual teachers, and various reflection practices, to help readers reconnect with a loving God.
The terms “Allah” and “God” are used interchangeably in this book and summary to refer to the One God. We’ve organized the insights into 2 parts:
- Rediscovering Divine Love; and
- Walking the Path of Islam.
We’ll be sharing an overview of the concepts in this article. Check out our complete 19-page book summary for a full exploration of the concepts of divine love, with specific details and reflection practices for each component.
Part 1: Rediscovering Divine Love
Islam begins with knowing who God is, who you are, and awakening to His love. This section explores Allah’s nature, your spiritual origin, and the Qur’an and Shahadah as gateways to align your life with Him.
WHO IS ALLAH?
“Allah” is the Arabic word for the one true God.
He is the source of all creation—eternal, indivisible, and beyond time, space, form. While He’s referred to as “He” or “We” in Arabic, these pronouns are used for grammatical and honorific purposes, not to imply gender or plurality.
- Allah cannot be fully grasped by the human mind. However, we can see His signs everywhere, from precision of nature to the majesty of the cosmos. Like light refracting through a prism, God’s singular essence manifests in various divine qualities, like His mercy in rainfall, His majesty in the stars, His gentleness in the petals of a flower.
- Allah revealed 99 names to help us know Him and his divine attributes. Each name reveals a facet of His presence—some are names of beauty and ease (Jamal), others of majesty and challenge (Jalal).
Two of Allah’s most-used names are Ar-Rahman and Ar-Rahim.
- Ar-Rahman: God’s all-encompassing mercy for all of creation.
- Ar-Rahim: His specific, nurturing mercy toward those who open their hearts to Him.
Both divine names share the root rahm (womb), capturing the essence of His love like a mother’s embrace.
You don’t need to earn God’s love because He already loves you unconditionally. In fact, He is Love itself.
- His door is always open and He never turns away a seeking heart.
- God’s divine mercy and divine justice work in harmony to maintain balance. Mercy without justice leads to chaos, while justice without mercy leads to despair. Jewish spiritual masters liken justice to scalding water and mercy to freezing water—only by mixing both can the human heart be preserved.
- Everything that exists—including our prayers, deeds, and gratitude—already belong to God. God owes us nothing, yet gives us everything. He rewards good deeds many times over, while punishing only to the extent of what we deserve.
God is always near. It’s our ego, thoughts, and distractions that veil His presence. To reconnect with Him, we must surrender the ego and open our hearts in humility.
Our complete Secrets of Divine Love summary, we share some reflection exercises you can try to feel Allah’s presence.
WHO ARE YOU?
You’re God’s intentional creation, made in His image and carrying His essence.
- Fitra is the innate goodness that God placed within you. Your worth comes from Him—so it is intrinsic, infinite, and independent of your actions or others’ opinions.
- That’s why, no matter what you achieve, something still feels missing. Your purpose is to remember your connection with God and return to Him. That’s the only way to feel truly whole and at peace.
The story of Adam and Eve reminds us of this spiritual origin and our human journey.
- Once, they were unified with God and felt complete—until they followed Shaytan (Satan) and ate from the forbidden tree. They recognized their mistake, repented sincerely, and were met with God’s mercy and guidance. Shaytan refused responsibility, blamed God, and vowed to mislead humanity out of pride.
- God didn’t send us to Earth to punish us, but to give us the chance to grow, repent, and cultivate gratitude.
Sin and ego cloud our perception, like fog hiding the sun.
- Sin isn’t just about wrongdoing, but forgetting who you are and what you were made for. It doesn’t erase your worth or God’s love, but it blocks your awareness of them.
- Ego is the root of sin—the false self that turns us away from God in self-absorption. But that distance also sparks the longing to return to Him.
True love must be freely chosen, which is why God gave you free will to choose or reject Him. Worship is the highest expression of love because you can only worship what you truly love. In our complete 19-page summary, we delve deeper into how we can form a divine connection God on a deeper level through gratitude and compassion. It also covers the steps that you can take to purify your heart and nurture your spiritual development.
THE QUR’AN: God’s Living Message
The Holy Qur’an is God’s eternal message to humanity, revealed through the Angel Gabriel to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in 610 AD. Though the Prophet could neither read nor write, he conveyed the Qur’an with unmatched structure and eloquence—evidence that its words came directly from God.
The Qur’an was revealed gradually over 23 years, offering practical guidance in response to real-life situations.
Its central message is that there is only one God, and worshipping Him is the key to understanding your purpose and becoming who you’re meant to be.
The Qur’an is meant to be read aloud, felt, and absorbed with your entire being. In our complete Secrets of Divine Love summary, we explain how to use the Qur’an and engage with the qur’anic verses to find guidance, healing and comfort.
SHAHADAH: The Light of Testimony
The Shahadah is the declaration of faith that makes one a Muslim: “There is no god but Allah. And I testify that Muhammad is the Prophet of God.” It must be spoken freely out of true belief—it cannot be forced.
There are 2 parts to Shahadah:
- Affirming “There is no god but Allah.” This means placing Allah above all else—wealth, ego, status, or fleeting desires. These are “false gods” that distract from our purpose.
- Affirming Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as God’s final messenger, and following his guidance.
In our complete 19-page book summary, we explain these 2 parts in more detail, with exercises that A. Helwa recommends to deepen the Shahadah and contemplate la ilaha illa Allah.
Part 2: Walking the Path of Islam
Islam is the ongoing practice of purifying the heart and living in ways that draw you closer to God. This section presents the core principles and spiritual practices that help you connect with your inner self, align with His guidance and deepen your connection to Him. Here’s an outline of each component and how it might support your spiritual goals. More details and exercises in our full 19-page summary bundle (with text, graphic and audio formats)!
THE 3 SPIRITUAL DIMENSIONS OF ISLAM
Islam is more than a religion. It’s a complete way of life that shapes how we think, feel, and act—and eventually who we become. The essence is to do good and avoid harm.
It calls us to surrender body, mind, and soul to God, like a drop of water returning to the ocean, so He can work through us without resistance.
It involves 3 levels that gradually uncover the innate goodness within us.
- Islam (outer actions): Align daily practices (e.g. prayer, charity, honest conduct) with God’s will.
- Iman (inner faith): Trust God fully and walk with him through life’s up and downs, remembering all He has done for you.
- Ihsan (spiritual awareness): Live with constant awareness of God’s presence. When you release ego and attachment to outcomes, you act from love (not fear or desire for reward).
JIHAD: Striving for Inner and Outer Peace
“Jihad” means to strive or struggle. It’s about making a sincere effort for justice, peace, and personal transformation. There are 2 types of Jihad:
- Lesser or outer jihad: Defending life, land, and the right to practice one’s faith, always within strict ethical limits.
- Greater or inner jihad: The lifelong struggle against ego, pride, greed, and harmful desires.
Here’s a quick summary of the remaining practices, with more details in our full summary:
SALAT: Using Prayer to Anchor Yourself in Love
Salat is the formal Islamic prayer performed 5 times a day to remember Allah and realign with Him through specific words and movements. In our full 19-page version of Secrets of Divine Love summary, we explain more on: (i) the five pillars of Salat, (ii) its multiple benefits, (iii) the rituals involved in prayer and their significance.
ZAKAT & SADAQAH: Giving in Grace
Giving to others is central to Islamic faith. Learn more from the full summary on:
- The 2 main types of giving: Zakat (which is mandatory) and Sadaqah (which is voluntary).
- How to give with grace and tap on Allah’s infinite love and mercy (to give without burning out).
RAMADAN: A Month of Spiritual Renewal
Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar. It’s a time of spiritual renewal when Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, abstaining from food, drink, smoking, and sexual activity during daylight hours. Find out from the full Secrets of Divine Love summary:
- How Ramadan uses fasting for purification at 3 spiritual levels: body, mind, and soul; and
- The significance of Eid al-Fitr (the close of Ramadan) and Muraqaba (the Islamic practice of observing thoughts without reacting).
HAJJ: Returning to the Center
Hajj is a sacred pilgrimage to Mecca that every Muslim must perform at least once in their lifetime—if physically and financially able—as an act of full surrender to God. Learn more about:
- The rituals, journey, and life-changing spiritual experience of the Hajj;
- The story and significance of Kaaba (the focal point of Hajj); and
- A reflection practice to identify and remove the false idols in your life and return to God.
TAWBA: Return to God with Repentence
Tawba means seeking forgiveness whenever you fall short, and returning to God with love and humility. If you’re feeling guilty or unworthy of His love, learn:
- Why/how you will always have God’s forgiveness so long as you repent sincerely; and
- Steps you can take to seek divine mercy, forgive yourself and others, and build a Tawba habit.
DEATH, HEAVEN AND HELL: The Soul’s Journey to God
Death is a transition, not an end. Our bodies must die for our souls to grow into their true form—like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon. God gave us free will to choose to love Him or turn away. Choices have consequences, so He created Heaven and Hell—which are real places and reflections of our relationship with God.
More details in our complete book summary on: The difference between Heaven and Hell in Islamic tradition and the practices to bring a bit of Heaven into your daily life.
Getting the Most from Secrets of Divine Love
God created you intentionally and loves you unconditionally. You already have everything you need to fulfill your divine purpose—to reflect God’s qualities, spread His love and mercy, and reunite with Him through prayer, good deeds, and sincere repentance. When you do that, your heart begins to clear and life begins to feel like Heaven. If you’d like to zoom in on the ideas above and get more detailed insights, examples and actionable tips, do check out our full book summary bundle that includes an infographic, 19-page text summary, and a 29-minute audio summary.
Beyond the key ideas distilled in this summary, the book also includes scholarly insights, Qur’anic verses, stories of the Prophets, and detailed guides for your reflection journal and spiritual practice. You can purchase the book here or for more details and resources, visit www.secretsofdivinelove.com.
Looking for more resources to discover your inner self and gain more spiritual insights? Check out these powerful summaries:
- The Purpose Driven Life: Deepen your relationship with God and fulfill your true purpose on Earth!
- The Untethered Soul: Go on a spiritual journey inward to discover and connect with your true selves!
- The Fifth Agreement: Tap in to Toltec wisdom to cut through the noise, find your inner compass, and unlock the truths to find genuine peace and freedom!
Who Should Read This Book
- Muslims seeking a deeper, more fulfilling connection with Allah—rooted in love, not fear.
- Spiritual seekers and learners interested in Islamic spirituality and Sufism, with teachings, practices, and path to divine closeness.
- Anyone feeling spiritually lost, empty, or unworthy of God’s love—and longing to reconnect with the Divine.
Secrets of Divine Love Chapters
Our summaries are reworded and reorganized for clarity and conciseness. Here’s the full chapter listing from Secrets of Divine Love by A. Helwa, to give an overview of the original content structure in the book.
See All Chapters (Click to expand)
- Allah: The Origin of Love
- Who Are You?
- The Mysterious World of the Qur’an
- The Spiritual Dimensions of Islam
- Tawba: Repent and Return to Unity
- Shahadah: The Ecstasy of Oneness
- Salat: How to Tune Into Divine Love
- Zakat: Giving as an Instrument of God
- Ramadan: The Holy Month of Fasting
- Hajj: A Pilgrimage to God
- The Spiritual Secrets of Death
- The Mysteries of Heaven and Hell
- You Are Loved
About the Author of Secrets of Divine Love
Secrets of Divine Love: A Spiritual Journey into the Heart of Islam was written by A. Helwa, who is a spiritual teacher and writer who has spent over 15 years exploring the heart of Islamic spirituality. She combines insights from the Qur’an, Hadith, Islamic philosophy, and personal reflection to make spiritual teachings accessible to modern readers. Helwa is known for her poetic and compassionate style, and her work has resonated with Muslims and seekers around the world. Despite her wide influence, she chooses to remain private, focusing attention on the message rather than the messenger. The book was published by Naulit Publishing House.
Secrets of Divine Love Quotes
“The whole purpose of faith is not to be ‘good enough’ before we begin on the path to God, but to come with all our deficiencies to God.”
“Love is not something Allah does, love is something Allah is.”
“It is only when we put our ego aside and see the limited nature of our intellect that we can begin to walk on the path of faith.”
“Just as a seed sprouts when it is kissed by the light of the sun, when we are open to receiving the light of God’s love, we too transform.”
“We are on this Earth not to find faith or love, but to water the blessings of what God already planted within us.”
“When we shift our perspective from what God is doing to us, to what God is doing for us, we are able to see that although God may not always give us what we want, He will always give us exactly what we need.”
“God’s words are a source of medicine for the broken heart seeking to be whole again, truth for the confused heart seeking clarity and certainty, and guidance for the lost and straying heart seeking to be found.”
“We are not called to follow Islam, we are called to become it.”
“We are all born with spiritual wings, Islam simply reminds us how to fly.”
“You must first empty your cup of all illusion, for it to be filled with the light of Allah. You have to let go of what is perishing to be in the presence of the Eternal.”
Click here to download Secrets of Divine Love infographic & summary
