Everything in the heavens and the earth belongs to Allah
By Heena Parkar
This world in which we are living is full of beauty. God has created this universe with beauties and bounties. The rising and setting sun, the twinkling and dazzling stars, the waxing and waning crescent and gibbous and new moon, The color changing sky, the calm and roaring oceans, the lightening and thundering clouds, the grounded and floating glaciers, the babbling, rippling and trickling rivers, the burbling and roaring waterfalls, the rocky and icy mountains, the green vast fields, valleys, landscapes and plateaus, the innumerable species of deciduous and coniferous trees, the uncountable beautiful and colourful herbs, shrubs, climbers and creepers, the various species of animals are spread over the globe. Besides the natural beauties the historical monuments, ancient architecture and human art has attracted people to travel from one country to other country and one continent to another continent.
People in general travel
- To discover history, geography, and sociology of other countries.
- To learn aspects of different cultures, new cuisines, and new languages and deeper appreciation of faith or spirituality.
- To Meet people and to know their ways of life, making, building and strengthening friendships and relationships.
- To take a break from humdrum of daily life
- To export and import technologies and spread business and
- To enjoy the nature around the globe and its beauty.
The concept of traveling may occur to many as a leisure activity – practiced by those who enjoy and afford it. Giving a serious thought instead it becomes much more than enjoyment.
Allah says in Quran, in Surah Ghafir, verse 64 –
“It is Allah who made for you the earth a place of settlement and the sky a ceiling and formed you and perfected your forms and provided you with good things. That is Allah, your Lord; then blessed is Allah , Lord of the worlds.”
This earth is designed especially for us. This fact makes it absolutely necessary for us to gain knowledge about it. We should not live on this earth as a blind man who cannot see any of the countless signs of the Oneness of God, though these signs lie spread over before him in the universe. We should live like an astute because a seeing man can see in every particle of the universe and in every leaf of grass and tree signs pointing to their Creator.For those who have the opportunity to travel, observe and learn, it should not be merely a brief enjoyment but it should be done to achieve closeness to Allah (az’zawa jal). For those who might not be able to travel physically, there is always the option to travel visually. This can be done through mediums like travel books or videos. Whichever way suits us best, the intention should be to strengthen our faith and glorify the majesty of Allah (az’zawa jal).
Allah (az’zawa jal) says, “In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are many signs for the people of good sense, who standing and sitting and lying down remember Allah and reflect upon the (wonders) of the structure of the earth and the heavens”. The vastness of this beautiful earth, altering between landscapes, mountains, oceans, and valleys is awe-inspiring to say the least. Created by the fashioner (Al-Musawwir), it is amazing to unfold the secrets of this mystical planet. On visualizing these amazing and astounding universe men of right thinking cry out spontaneously and understand that “Our Lord, has not created all this in vain.”
- People
To meet people and make friendship and strengthen relationship and spread business is also one of the most important factor of travel. Interacting with those living a completely different life than ours, is a unique opportunity travel allows. If given a chance to live a different life, facing dissimilar challenges and developing varied perspectives, one would benefit immensely through it. It would in many ways reduce ‘fear of the unknown’ and create a sense of familiarity among people on the bases of being one species. To understand someone’s struggles mean to empathize with them and to share someone’s life is to gain a share of their blessings. Allah (az’zawa jal) has distributed both evenly. Hence traveling is more about connecting, observing and learning about the different types of lifestyles Allah has created and fashioned. Allah, Azza wa jal says
‘O mankind! Behold, We have created you all out of a male and a female, and have made you into nations and tribes, so that you might come to know one another. Indeed, the noblest of you in the sight of God is the one who is most deeply conscious of Him. Behold, God is all-knowing, all-aware.’ (Surah Al-Hujurat, Verse 13-14)
- Places
Beauty of Allah’s creation is immeasurable and it is spread all over the universe. If the wrong doings or indulgence in excess by man is negated, this world would rejuvenate into a beautiful ecosystem. Diverse lifeforms and extensive habitats thrive in places created precisely for them. They flourish to create a rich and rare environment suitable for animals and humans to co-exist peacefully. Every place has its own specified balance of animal-human life, blended together. Exploring these lifeforms further enhances our belief in Allah’s power and His control over this dominion.
Allah, The creator (Al Khaliq) and the fashioner (Al Musawwir) says,
“And there is no creature on (or within) the earth or bird that flies with its wings except (that they are) communities like you. We have not neglected in the Register a thing. Then unto their Lord they will be gathered.” (Surah Al-An’am, Verse 38)
- Food
Even exploring various types of lawful (halal) food is important. Some people are in a habit of making fun of other cultures and their food habits. This attitude can be countered by trying what others eat and developing an understanding towards their wholesome food habits. Allah (az’zawa jal) has placed nourishment in all kinds of naturally available food, and at the end all adds to make a person strong and energetic. Exchange of food habits is a unique way through which we connect with others and in turn share Allah’s blessings with each other. The fact that food items found in one part of the world are exported to another part, proves how Allah has divided his blessings among his creation and made us dependent on each other. All this is to create love and mercy among the children of Adam (AS) and as we start understanding this, the world gradually becomes a better place to live in.
“O’ Believers! Eat of the good (lawful) and pure that We have provided you with and be grateful to Allah, if you truly worship Him.” (Surah Baqarah, Verse 172)