By Fiona Essop
The night falls and darkness envelopes as I hear the sound of the rhythmic waves crashing on the sea shore. I look up and gaze at the millions of stars in distant galaxies. I imagine just how immense this universe is and we, just a minute part of it here on planet earth. I try desperately to imagine what lies out there. What lies far away beyond the Milky Way? Is my Creator watching me from up there? No! HE is omnipresent. I look quickly to my side. I cannot see HIM yet I feel HIS presence around me. I feel safe. Who can harm me when my ALLAH is with me?
I look upon the ocean and see the water crashing rhythmically against the shore. Life giving water? Surely I cannot be that naïve. Water does not give life. The sun is given the status of sustaining life on earth. Is it really the sun? No! It is ALLAH who has created the sun to give us heat and sustain the earth just as it is ALLAH who has created the water. The giver and taker of life is ONE. ONE ALLAH! Everything happens through HIS will and HIS will alone.
“It is HE Who gives Life and Death: and when HE decides upon an affair, HE says to it : Kun Faya Kun (Be and it is)” (Qur’an Surah Al Mumin: 68)
I think to myself just how Powerful and Almighty the Creator of this universe truly must be. There is no equal. There is no comparison. HIS greatness far exceeds that which my mind could even begin to comprehend.
Say (O Muhammad to mankind): “If the sea were ink for (writing) the Words of my Lord, surely, the sea would be exhausted before the Words of my Lord would be finished, even if we brought (another sea) like it for its aid.” (Qur’an Surah Kahf: 109)
There are millions of creatures, many unseen as yet by any human, living in the depths of the oceans whose shape and form are beyond the comprehension of any human mind. I realize just how limited we are. I smile...rather, how limitless my Creator is!
I know without a doubt that my Creator cannot be contained in any form. HE can never be a stone or an animal for all things are created by HIM. I worship my Creator alone, not that which is created by HIM.
I realize just how small a part of this vast universe I am. I ponder on my Creator. Can I even begin to understand HIS wisdom? HE amazes me. I am overwhelmed by HIM. I love HIM for HIS is most Merciful and I fear HIM for HIS wrath.
I repent and I take comfort in the fact that my ALLAH’s mercy surpasses HIS wrath.
I begin to feel insignificant in this world. Then I consider that in all HIS wisdom, when HE was creating all these magnificent things in this world, the stars, the earth, the trees, flowers, animals and oceans, HE thought of creating me. How can I then be small and insignificant?
HE has created me to worship HIM and HIM alone. No other is worthy of worship.
“ And I(ALLAH) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone).” (Qur’an Surah Az-Zariyat: 51:56)
“And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him…” (Qur’an Surah Al-Isra’ 17:23)
I sit here in awe of HIM. How can one not worship such Greatness?
I ponder about my life. My problems seem too insignificant right now. It is ALLAH who has created everything that we can see and that which we cannot see. HE has created me, my very being, my mind, my consciousness, my body, and my unique features. I have no doubt that if I humble myself and ask of HIM to help me to solve my problems regardless how big or how small it may be, HE will surely help.
“When My servants ask you concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them). I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calls on Me, let them also, with a will, listen to My call, and believe in Me, that they may walk in the right way” (Qur’an Surah Al Baqarah: 186)
I read somewhere that the shortest distance between a problem and a solution is the distance between a forehead and a musallah (prayer mat). The solution lies in turning to Him for the fulfillment of every need. The pleasure and comfort found in prostrating before the Creator can only be felt by a true believer.
As I sit here on the shore gazing at HIS magnificent universe, I feel the same pleasure and comfort in losing myself in mere thoughts of HIS greatness…and now all that I need during my temporary sojourn on earth is to submit to Him and Him alone!
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