22nd Dhul-Hijjah 1447H |
Assalamu'alaikum, |
I'm sitting on a bench along a river in Estes Park, a small, quiet town at the foothills of Rocky Mountain National Park. |
The scene is unbelievable: the river is gushing in front of me, a beaver just stopped by to nibble on a tree before slipping back into the water, the sunrise is turning the sky gold and blue, and the birds are filling the air with their morning tasbeeh. |
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Photo from my bench this morning, next to the river. |
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Alhamdulillah, it feels like a small piece of Jannah on earth. And a reminder of why we all need to answer Allah's ﷻ call when He invites us: |
قُلْ سِيرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ فَانظُرُوا كَيْفَ بَدَأَ الْخَلْقَ |
"Say, 'Travel throughout the land and observe how He began creation…'" (Quran 29:20) |
How often do we actually do this? |
We are so stuck in our routines, cubicles, and homes that days and weeks pass without us looking up at the sky or exploring the natural beauty that's just a few miles from where we live. |
Some of us have developed an actual phobia of immersing ourselves in nature. We fear the bugs, the wild animals, and the discomfort that comes from being away from modern conveniences. We can't imagine stepping away from our comforts for even a few hours. |
So here's my gentle urging for you this summer: instead of another man-made entertainment center, explore the wilderness near you. Every corner of the earth carries its own signature of Allah's beauty. Whether you live in desert lands or forests, whether you're near mountains or the sea, there's beauty to be found everywhere. For Allah is ‘Al-Jameel’ (The Most Beautiful), and He loves beauty, so go appreciate it! |
Being in nature is a reset we all need. It returns us to our fitrah (our natural disposition) and reminds us of our ultimate home in Jannah. And above all, it reminds us of the One who created the heavens and the earth: |
إِنَّ فِى خَلْقِ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱخْتِلَـٰفِ ٱلَّيْلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍۢ لِّأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ |
"Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the day and night there are signs for people of reason." (Quran 3:190) |
We get so consumed by our petty squabbles, politics, and problems that we forget the vastness of the heavens and the earth, and the One who created it all, and Who will never neglect us. |
Your bills, problems, and to-do lists won't go away soon. But being in nature helps you put them back in their rightful place, instead of letting them consume you with overburdening worry and anxiety. |
We live in a time where we've idealized and worshiped our comfort that being a little uncomfortable feels "unnatural." We don't like to sweat, or get bitten by a bug, or deal with the "danger" nature might throw at us (we had an interesting encounter with a venomous snake on our road trip!). |
But all that discomfort is part of the reset we need. |
Of course, this doesn't mean you shouldn't prepare well; find suitable trails, carry extra supplies, and be ready for some memorable adventures. |
And most importantly: connect what you see back to your Creator. Yesterday, as we were driving back from the Rocky Mountains, I reminded myself and my family of Allah's words; |
وَتَرَى ٱلْجِبَالَ تَحْسَبُهَا جَامِدَةًۭ وَهِىَ تَمُرُّ مَرَّ ٱلسَّحَابِ ۚ صُنْعَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَتْقَنَ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ خَبِيرٌۢ بِمَا تَفْعَلُونَ |
Now you see the mountains, thinking they are firmly fixed, but they are travelling ˹just˺ like clouds. ˹That is˺ the design of Allah, Who has perfected everything. Surely He is All-Aware of what you do. (Quran 27:88) |
These reflections feel more real when you’re immersed in nature vs. in a classroom. |
I pray you and your family have a summer full of barakah, wonder, and reconnection with Allah's creation, and with Him. Ameen. |
Sincerely, |
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P.S. If you make it out into nature this summer, hit reply and tell me where you went. I'd love to hear what you discovered! |
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