How Reflecting On Nature Can Make You More Productive!
How Reflecting On Nature Can Make You More Productive!
Allah the
All-Wise has shared a beautiful piece of advice with us in Surah Qaaf (Chapter
50) of the Quran, a counsel that can make us more
productive.
This advice is
only for special people like you and describes a way to:
- lift your emaan [ faith ] when you feel low;
- get to know Allah ‘azza wajal and His Power; and
- reap lots of barakah (blessings) on your spiritual journey.
·
Reflecting on
Nature
[ And the earth –
We spread it out and cast therein firmly set mountains and made grow therein
[something] of every beautiful kind, Giving insight and a reminder for every
servant who turns [to Allah ]. [Quran 50: 7-8]
Observing and
contemplating nature is a very important aspect of a Muslim’s spiritual journey.
Nature Reflects
Allah’s Beautiful Names
In the above
ayaat [ verses ] Allah subhanahu wa ta’alaa commands us to ponder over His Works. Why?
What is the first thing we realize? Tawheed [ Oneness ]. Oneness.
Looking around yourself, the skies, the plants, the oceans, the mountains, the
alternation of the day and night, and the process of childbirth are all created
in a state of perfection. All of these signs are a great proof that Allah is
the One and Only, the True God.
You Are the
Living Example!
In fact, you are
the living example of the ultimate power of Allah. There is no one but Allah
‘azza wajal able to create YOU.
When people feel
anxious and stressed out, what do they do naturally? They go for a walk.
They go outside. They get some fresh air.
However, as
Muslims, when someone comes to you complaining of low emaan, have you ever
advised them, “Go and look at the sky and the trees”? Allah tells us in this
ayah that nature gives insight, and not only that, it is also a reminder. But
to whom? For every servant who turns to Allah subhanahu wa ta’alaa.
That’s the difference between people who
just “walk” through nature and people who “interact” with nature like Allah
subhanahu wa ta’alaa told them to. By interacting with nature the way Allah
‘azza wajal tells us to do we can truly become more productive.
Practical Tips on How to Interact With
Nature as a Muslim
It is so easy and it doesn’t cost you
anything. It can raise your emaan when it feels low, reignite your relationship
with your Creator, and therefore make you more productive as a Muslim.
Sky
Realize the Power of Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala. If He can maintain the skies
without any flaws, don’t you think He can solve all your problems, which are
much smaller?
Night and Day
Remind yourself that the worst day is only 24 hours. Just as the night
alternates with the day, hardship will alternate with ease in your life. If you
only expect easy times you could be disappointed. Don’t worry about the future,
but prepare for it. A believer will be tested by Allah subhanahu wa ta’alaa and
it will only be good for you.
Flowers and plants
In the ayah above [Quran 50:7] Allah ‘azza wajal mentions ‘baheej’.
This one word means something which becomes extremely beautiful, bright and
pleasing to the eye. It makes you smile. Allah subhanahu wa ta’alaa makes
beautiful things grow out of the earth which make you feel happy and delighted
when you look at them. So look at all these beautiful plants and flowers and
smile!
Fertile Lands vs Deserted Lands
In this life you will find people with hearts full of faith, engaged in good
deeds and trying to please Allah ‘azza wajal. Their hearts are like fertile
land, they are alive and knowledge reaches their hearts. Then you have people
with dead or hard hearts. Their hearts resemble deserted and dead lands; it is
like the signs which Allah subhanahu wa ta’alaa placed around them bounce of
their hearts. When you see fertile lands and greenery, think about your heart
and make dua’ Allah ‘azza wajal makes your heart alive and beaming with faith
in Him.
Rain
Apart from rain being one of our body’s main nourishing sources (water), it is
also one of Allah’s greatest reminders in nature for our souls.
Rain reminds us of the Resurrection. Look at this beautiful description: On
the Day when the earth shall be cleft, from off them (they will come out)
hastening forth.) Allah the Exalted and Most Honored will send down rain from
the sky. From that rain the bodies of the creations will grow while they are in
their graves, just as the seed grows in soil in the aftermath of rain. When the
bodies grow to their full strength, Allah the Exalted will command angel
Israfil and he will blow in the Trumpet (for a second time). The souls will be
enclosed in a hole in the Trumpet. When Israfil blows in the Trumpet, the souls
will depart from it and will fly between the heavens and earth. Allah the
Exalted and Most Honored, will declare, “By My grace and power, each soul shall
return to the body that it used to inhabit,” and indeed, every soul will return
to its body. The soul will enter its body just as poison enters the body, then
the earth will be uncovered from above them, and they will all stand and head
towards the Reckoning place hastening to obey the command of Allah the Exalted
and Most Honored.. Tafseer ibn Kathir
When you see the rain, remind yourself
of this day and prepare yourself.
An Extra Blessing
As if the rain in itself is not a great
blessing to sustain us, Allah ar-Rahmaan added another special mercy of Him to
it. Narrated Sahel Ibn Sa’ad radiyallahu ‘anhu that the Messenger of Allah
salallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam said: “Two will not be rejected, supplication (dua)
when the adhan is being called, and at the time of the rain.” Al-Hakim, Abu
Dawud, ibn Majah
Remember the famine in Somalia recently?
Mothers had to leave their own children dying and move on in search of water.
Our brothers and sisters. Then you have people on the other end of the world
complaining it rains too much. Let the rain remind you of showing shukr
(gratefulness) to Allah subhanahu wa ta’alaa.
So, next time
you feel low, go for a walk and remind yourself of the power of Allah. Feel your role on this earth and make sure you are of
those making a change. And if you can’t because it’s raining, sit in front of
the window, look at the rain, make dua’ and count your blessings!
read : Does God Exist?
Homework:
Make it a habit to take at least 5 minutes each day to sit down, day or night,
actively look around you and remember Allah ‘azza wajal.
Reflect on nature. Allah is the
greatest and one day you will stand in front of Him.
I pray you will benefit,
~Khawlah bint Yahya, United Kingdom
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