Muhammad Bin Ibrahim At-Tuwejri in his book titled “Fiqh ul Quloob” (“Understanding of the Hearts”) beautifully presents Allah’s (swt) numerous and wonderful creations. The objective is to draw attention from the concrete realities of this world and lead to the spiritual and abstract reality, enabling individuals to find their role and purpose of life.
For your eyes only – to behold and bow down to Allah (swt)
“And the earth! We have spread it out, and set thereon mountains standing firm, and have produced therein every kind of lovely growth plants. An insight and a Reminder for every slave who turns to Allah in repentance.” (Qaf 50:7-8)
Allah (swt) planned and designed this world deliberately. The creation of land shows Allah’s (swt) care for His beings. How He stretched it wide for man to plough land, build structures, excavate minerals, construct ways, etc. Next, He pegged the mountains to stabilize the moving Earth to grant peace and comfort to His creation. The role of His slave is to observe all this, internalize it, and run to his Lord repeatedly. Become ‘Muneeb’ – the slave who recognizes Allah’s (swt) signs with the eyes of his heart and turns to his Master again and again in submission.
Diversity is part of Allah’s (swt) creation plan
“And in the earth are neighbouring tracts, and gardens of vines, and green crops and (fields) and date palms, growing into two or three from a single stem or otherwise, watered with the same water, yet some of them We make more excellent than others to eat. Verily, in these things there are Ayat for the people who understand.” (Ar-Rad 13:4)
The land created by Allah (swt) has different qualities, benefits and types. One is black, while the other – white. One is without pebbles, while the other is full of pebbles. Some soils are hard, while others are soft. Some soils are infertile and salt struck, while others – fertile for vegetation. Some hold water, while others do not. But something holds common between all: they obey Allah’s (swt) command to deliver whatever they have been destined to perform.
This insight is a great lesson for human beings. We have the same father and mother (Adam and Hawwa) yet we all differ in our temperaments. Diversity is a very significant part of nature. And it is necessary and beneficial for us. Yet, we tend to resists differences and not appreciate anyone with thoughts and opinions different from ours.
Looking at Allah’s (swt) grand plan and subservient land, we must learn difference management and appreciate diversity, instead of resisting it. We all need to co-exist together. There is wisdom in diversity. It teaches us forbearance, patience, creativity, growth, and the best use of our intelligence.
Supporting life and death
“Have We not made the earth a receptacle, for the living and the dead?” (Al-Mursalat 77:25-26)
The above Ayah grants a very unique perspective to us, which we seldom think of. The land has inhabited Allah’s (swt) creation on its back for centuries. The living dwell on top of the land, while the dead are in the land’s belly. They will be returned to the land on an appointed Day of Judgement upon Allah’s (swt) order.
Hence, land has a critical role to play during our life, our death, and at the time of resurrection.
Revival of dead lands, dead hearts, and dead creation
“And you see the earth barren, but when We send down water (rain) on it, it is stirred (to life) and it swells and puts forth every lovely kind (of growth).” (Al-Hajj 22:5)
The land is initially dry, dead, and lifeless. Allah (swt) pours water over it. The land responds, it moves, it swells up and turns green, and produces wonders beautiful to look at. The same water grows vegetation, flowers, and pastures of different kinds, looks, tastes and fragrances.
The same analogy can be used for hearts. When the Quran is poured over a dead heart, it responds by Allah’s (swt) will. Quran’s Wahi impacts people differently. It gives life to beautiful thoughts and deeds.
And lastly Allah (swt) will cause all of His creation to die one day and bring them back to life to account for their deeds before Him.
The earthquake
“That Day it will declare its information (about all that happened over it of good or evil). Because Your Lord will inspire it. That day mankind will proceed in scattered groups that they may be shown their deeds. So whosoever does good equal to the weight of an atom (or a small ant), shall see it. And whosoever does evil equal to the weight of an atom (or a small ant), shall see it.” (Az-Zalzalah 99:4-8)
An observation shows that all creation of Allah (swt) dwelling in the skies (angels) is obedient. However, most of the creation (the mankind and the Jinns) on the land is disobedient. All actions are being recorded, and on the Day of Resurrection, the same exact action of two different people will earn them different recompense. This will be based on their intentions (Neeyah), faith (Iman) and their pace of growth in goodness. For example, Salat prayed on time or delayed will earn different rewards and all will be brought to account.
Earth, the perfect planet for us to live and for our meeting with the Lord (swt)
“He it is Who has made the earth subservient to you; so walk in the path thereof and eat of His provision. And to Him will be the Resurrection.” (Al-Mulk 67:15)
Allah (swt) created the land to cater to our needs. It is neither slippery as a slope nor reflective like a mirror. It is not made of gold or silver but of soil, so we can grow vegetation for our survival. Though more precious, it is lower in value, as gold or silver would not have sufficed our needs of provision. The soil, no matter how humble and lower in value it may seem, is of much higher benefit for us.
This is how a man’s make-up should be, as he too was made from a similar humbling soil. His value, efficiency and high calibre lies in being of service to the rest of Allah’s (swt) creation.
Most importantly, our world is not dead and silent. It is alive and ever changing. Today will never be like yesterday. All signs and creations lead to Allah (swt) and our ultimate meeting with Him, so we are cautious today of our thoughts and beliefs and resulting deeds.
Misunderstanding Allah’s (swt) Naimat
“And We saved Musa and all those with him. Then We drowned the others. Verily, in this is indeed a sign yet most of them are not believers.” (Ash-Shuarah 26:65-67)
We carry an incorrect perspective about our blessings, which leads us to wrong choices in life. We deem bounties to be our right, whereas they are a mercy from Allah (swt). Hence, when the bounty is reduced or taken away, we harbour resentment and disbelief towards Allah (swt).
Whoever disobeyed on Allah’s (swt) land was punished accordingly. Qaroon was sunk, Ad were killed via wild winds, Thamood were killed by a loud blast and Firaun was drowned. Whatever Allah (swt) granted them of power, wealth, and resources on the land was destroyed.
Allah’s (swt) creations are ready to carry out their Creator’s commands instantly. And land is no different. If our children leave the house, we do not have the power to call them back. Allah (swt) will collect His entire creations on Yaum al-Hashr, and nobody will have the power or audacity to refuse Him. They will come to Him in fear and humility, as per the grand creation plan.
Ya muqallibal quloobi, thabbit qalbi ala deenik. Ameen.
Adapted from “Fiqh-ul-Quloob”
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