The Sufi concept of "wahdat al-wujūd," which literally means unity of existence, expresses the view that the creator and the created are one and the same. Whatever exists is but a fleeting shadow (tajalli) of God, seen as the unique, all embracing and eternal reality from which all other realities are derived. In this light, sensible objects are a reflection of Allah, and humankind the most beautiful manifestation of his essence.

The portraits of this series are inspired by this idea of deep unity. As devout people seek the abandonment of Self in the path to Gods love, their faces and appearance start manifesting an extraordinary intensity. My photographs aim to capture it, and they invite the viewer to connect with their experience. The series is named after a Hadith Qudsi (non-Quranic sayings of God which are attributed to the Prophet Muhammad).