A Life Renewed with Every Breath
A human being is in need of gratitude twice with every single breath:
once for being able to inhale, and once for being able to exhale.
Because there is such a thing as taking but not being able to give, and giving but not being able to take.
Life exists within this delicate balance.
Without realizing it, without making any conscious effort, a flawless system placed within our bodies works continuously. In a single day, we breathe in and out nearly twenty-three thousand times. We never command ourselves to inhale, nor do we decide when to exhale. Yet this astonishing order operates without error or interruption.
The question is: do we truly give thanks to our Lord for the breaths we are granted so effortlessly?
Breathing, which we consider ordinary in daily life, is in fact the most indispensable condition for our existence. Let us imagine, even briefly, what would happen if our breath were taken away. After about one minute, we would lose consciousness; after two or three minutes, irreversible brain damage would occur—and life, with all its hopes and plans, would come to an end.
This alone shows that even a single breath is among the greatest blessings bestowed upon us. The Almighty has established within the human body an extraordinarily precise mechanism that functions entirely on its own, without burdening us in the slightest. Such a system is far beyond what even the most advanced computers and technologies of our time can fully replicate. Heart, lungs, nerves, and vessels all work in perfect harmony—while we remain largely unaware of this constant miracle.
For this reason, a person does not need to search for grand signs to find a reason for gratitude. Reflecting on just one breath is enough. That breath is the key to life; a silent witness to human helplessness, dependence, and the ever-present mercy that sustains us.
Yes, for even a single breath, we owe our Lord a thousand thanks.
For a breath is not merely air filling the lungs—it is life being granted anew, again and again.
@Inpursuitoftruth73116
@Inpursuitoftruth73116
Very fine writing. I also like the words from 1.Corinthians "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is within you, whom you have [received as a gift] from God"
@Helgafy,
Thank you for sharing this reference.
From an Islamic theological perspective, an important distinction must be made:
the human body is not a dwelling place of the Divine, but a manifestation of Divine action.
God does not reside within bodies, nor is He divided into parts.
Rather, His knowledge, power, and mercy are reflected in every function of the body—especially in something as constant and involuntary as breathing.
As expressed in a profound saying:
"Though He is in no place, He is everywhere."
This means not by indwelling or physical presence, but through knowledge, power, and sustaining will.
Man is not the dwelling of God, but a mirror reflecting His mercy.
@Inpursuitoftruth73116
Well my friend - I'm a Christian so our view-points will differ a lot, especially about Jesus Christ who we learn is God and in John 10.30 in the Bible is said: "I and the Father are one.” It's the salvation that differs Christianity and Muslims. We believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins (historic fact) and rose after 3 days (historic fact). I know that your book (The Koran) is not telling the truth about this (I'm sorry to say). If you don't mind I bless you in the name of the Father (God), the Son (Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit.
@Helgafy,
Thank you for sharing your views so openly and respectfully.
It is clear that our perspectives differ, particularly regarding Jesus Christ and the nature of salvation.
From the Islamic understanding, Jesus (peace be upon him) is one of the greatest prophets of God—miraculously born, honored, and supported by revelation—but not God Himself, nor a part of God.
God is absolutely One: indivisible, self-sufficient, and transcendent.
He needs nothing—no child, no partner, no incarnation.
All things depend on Him; He depends on nothing.
God has addressed only the human being among all creation.
He endowed humanity with reason—the ability to distinguish right from wrong, truth from falsehood.
What a profound gift this faculty of reason is.
For this very reason, Islam places moral responsibility upon the human being.
Because the human being is endowed with reason, conscience, and free will.
One chooses, one acts, and one is answerable for that choice.
Therefore, it is inconceivable that the moral burden of one person could be transferred to another.
Divine justice is founded upon personal responsibility:
no soul bears the burden of another.
Salvation in Islam is not based on inherited guilt or the suffering of an innocent soul, but on conscious faith, sincere repentance, moral responsibility, and divine mercy.
Though He is in no place, He is everywhere—
not by indwelling or incarnation, but through His knowledge, power, and sustaining will.
Man is not the dwelling of God, but a mirror reflecting His mercy.
Final Note:
I appreciate the goodwill behind your words.
From my faith, blessing and invocation belong to God alone, without division or partners.
I therefore seek and offer goodwill in the name of the One God—
the Absolute One, without partner or equal, the Creator and Sovereign of all existence,
All-Powerful, self-sufficient, and known in His true reality to none but Himself.
@Inpursuitoftruth73116, @Helgafy,
I did not write “A Life Renewed with Every Breath” to initiate a religious debate.
My intention was simply to reflect on how great a blessing breathing is, and to remind myself and others of the need for gratitude to God (Allah) for this gift.
My writing did not criticize any religion, nor did it target any belief.
However, the discussion was shifted into a religious polemic, followed by theological judgments.
This went further with the statement:
“I know that your book (The Koran) is not telling the truth about this.”
This is not merely an expression of personal belief, but a categorical judgment about another faith’s sacred text.
There is an important distinction here:
expressing one’s own beliefs is one thing; declaring another tradition’s scripture to be untrue is another.
The latter exceeds the boundaries of respectful dialogue.
The purpose of my writing was reflection, not confrontation.
It was meant to invite gratitude and contemplation over a blessing that renews life with every breath.
Turning this into a claim about the falsehood of another sacred text does not serve that purpose, nor does it contribute to meaningful conversation.
We may hold different beliefs—and that is natural.
But those differences are best expressed with intellectual honesty, restraint, and mutual respect.
How exalted is the Majesty of God (Allah), whose true power and dominion are known to none but Himself— the One, without partner, the Owner of all existence, whose power and might no created being can fully comprehend.
I worship Him alone and seek help from Him alone.
God (Allah) alone knows all things, the truth, and what is most right.
For this reason, I do not wish to continue this discussion as a debate.
I prefer to leave it here, in a spirit of dignity and mutual respect.
@Inpursuitoftruth73116
Wonderful friend.
Thank you again for your writing. I understand that you're upset, I would probably have had the same feelings/thoughts if I were in your shoes.
I live in Norway. My neighbours for 7 years were muslims, refugees from Iraq. I gave them about 10.000 US dollars during that time for help. Again - I give you the greatest gift I have; I bless you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Please, don't be hurted by my writing.
@Helgafy,
Let me clarify this clearly from the outset.
I did not write “A Life Renewed with Every Breath” to initiate a religious debate.
My intention was simply to reflect on how great a blessing breathing is, and to remind myself and others of the need for gratitude to God (Allah) for this gift.
My writing did not criticize any religion, nor did it target any belief.
Nevertheless, the discussion was shifted—against my intention—into a religious polemic.
It went further with the statement:
“I know that your book (The Koran) is not telling the truth about this.”
This is no longer an expression of personal belief, but a categorical judgment about another faith’s sacred text.
At this point, a boundary has been crossed.
There is a clear difference between stating one’s own belief and declaring another tradition’s scripture to be untrue.
I would also like to state this plainly:
Acts of charity—regardless of whom they are given to—do not grant anyone the right to speak dismissively about another person’s sacred beliefs.
The value, intention, and reward of good deeds belong to God alone.
Whoever does even an atom’s weight of good will see its recompense from Him.
In my faith, God (Allah) is absolutely One, without partners, self-sufficient,
the Creator whose power and dominion encompass all existence.
He has no need of a child, no partner, and no incarnation.
Man is not the dwelling of God, but a mirror reflecting His mercy and wisdom.
Islam places moral responsibility upon the human being.
This is because human beings are endowed with reason—the ability to distinguish right from wrong.
For this reason, it is inconceivable that one person should bear the sins of another.
Divine justice is founded upon personal responsibility:
No soul bears the burden of another.
I must also address this directly:
Despite my position being stated clearly, the repeated insistence on offering a blessing “as the greatest gift” disregards my expressed faith boundaries.
From my perspective, this is not a gift; it is an imposition upon a belief line that has already been made clear.
I invite people not to polemics, but to reflection.
God has given human beings reason precisely for this purpose.
To pass definitive judgments on a sacred text without sincere study or understanding is neither rational nor ethically sound.
How exalted is the Majesty of God (Allah), whose true power and dominion are known to none but Himself.
I worship Him alone and seek help from Him alone.
God (Allah) alone knows all things, the truth, and what is most right.
Within this framework, dialogue is possible where mutual respect is preserved.
However, where sacred beliefs are subjected to categorical judgment, I do not find it appropriate to continue the discussion.
@Inpursuitoftruth73116
OK wonderful friend.
I hope you'll have many wonderful and warm moments at 7cups. That's what 7Cups is for - sharing. All the best from Helga.
@Inpursuitoftruth73116
Thank you so much wonderful person.
@Inpursuitoftruth73116
thank you for this meditation on breathing.