You are surrounded by signs

Ever seen a beautiful scenery that took your breath away? Be it the white sandy beaches of the Maldives with the sound of the waves soothing your ears. Or the magnificent mountains in Switzerland with their tips covered in snow, overlooking the extensive green carpets of grass. Or the breathtaking rivers, streams, and waterfalls in different shades of blue all around the world. Or the stunning view of the sky at the time of sunset and sunrise every single day.

What comes to your mind when you see them? Well, thinking of the times we are living in, many of us might want to take a picture to share on social media. But isn’t it just pitiful to end such an amazing experience with just that? Don’t you think what’s around you is trying to tell you something more than you can see with just your eyes?

With this question in mind, read this ayah.

 إِنَّ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَاخْتِلَافِ اللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ لَآيَاتٍ لِّأُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ

“Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day are signs for those of understanding.” Surah Ale-Imran, 190

Allah is telling us that whatever we see around us are signs for us. And the people who will see these signs are only those who have understanding. The words أُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ means people who have sound minds. Those people who can think clearly about reality because their minds are free of useless things.

Now the question that arises is, they are signs of what? That’s what the next ayah describes.

الَّذِينَ يَذْكُرُونَ اللَّهَ قِيَامًا وَقُعُودًا وَعَلَىٰ جُنُوبِهِمْ وَيَتَفَكَّرُونَ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ رَبَّنَا مَا خَلَقْتَ هَٰذَا بَاطِلًا سُبْحَانَكَ فَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

“Who remember Allah while standing or sitting or [lying] on their sides and give thought to the creation of the heavens and the earth, [saying], “Our Master, You did not create this aimlessly; exalted are You [above such a thing]; then protect us from the punishment of the Fire.” Surah Ale-Imran, 191

Allah is telling us that people of sound minds, who remember Allah almost at all times, they think about the creation around them and their immediate words are, رَبَّنَا (Our Master). Why would they say that?

Because while looking at the creation, they realize something. They realize that the creation around them was not made from their hands. Neither from the hands of those around them. And neither does anyone around them have the power over those majestic creations. They realize that their must be One Who has complete control over that creation. With that realization, it also hits them that they don’t even own themselves. Because they did not create themselves. They did not decide the face they will have, the body shape they will have and neither do they have the control over how their bodies are functioning.

Hence they realize that they have a Master, who created everything and who is precisely controlling all creation around them.

So the next time you see a beautiful scenery, remember that it’s a sign from your Master, for you. It’s a sign for you to remember Him, be grateful to Him and worship Him like He deserves to be worshipped. How amazing will be a Master, Who shows you beautiful signs for you to return to Him? Subhaanallah!

*Taken from a lecture by Ustadh Nouman

Note: This is the explanation of just one part of the second ayah mentioned in the post.