The Morning Brightness

Title: The Morning Brightness

Mixed Media and collage on handmade Indigo paper

Scripted: Surah Ad-Duha (Chapter 93)
1. By the forenoon (after sun-rise);
2. And by the night when it is still (or darkens);
3. Your Lord (O Muhammad (SAW)) has neither forsaken you nor hated you.
4. And indeed the Hereafter is better for you than the present (life of this world).
5. And verily, your Lord will give you (all i.e. good) so that you shall be well-pleased.
6. Did He not find you (O Muhammad ()) an orphan and gave you a refuge?
7. And He found you unaware (of the Qur’an, its legal laws, and Prophethood, etc.) and guided you?
8. And He found you poor, and made you rich (selfsufficient with self- contentment, etc.)
9. Therefore, treat not the orphan with oppression,
10. And repulse not the beggar;
11. And proclaim the Grace of your Lord (i.e. the Prophethood and all other Graces).

The multiple shamsas symbolise Hope in the face of darkness. This chapter was revealed to the Prophet (SAW) after a long period of no Divine contact. The use of relief paste in drawing the waves, symbolise the greatness of hardships being endured. The dots gilded in 24k gold symbolise gems (lessons learnt in the face of difficulty). The moon is embellished with diamond dust, symbolising how valuable such tests and trials can be. And finally, At the forefront “Wadduha” - taking place of pride - a promise of the coming of ease after a period of difficulty.