Boredom of vacation was literally murdering me. Everything felt mundane and dull. I had pretty much nothing to do. I just sat there going through face book- filled with posts and videos- that were not, at all, grabbing my attention. I decided why not complain to my mother about this, after all that’s all we kids can do. So, this is what my mother said
“Your dad is going out to pick your sister, why don’t you go too? Get some fresh air.”
I thought why not. I can make my dad go to the bakery on the way back and get my favourite cookies! I changed into something tidy and presentable, and was ready for this little trip. I couldn’t wait to reach the bakery; I mean, who doesn’t like freshly baked chocolate chip cookies?
I sat there in the car, wind gushing away my hair, it felt good. I looked up towards the sky. The sky was breathtaking; it was reddish-purple. The gentle sunshine peaking through the scattered clouds, radiant but calm. Eagles were soaring high up, wings spread out widely, feeling the wind and celebrating their freedom.
I thought for a second- Who created all this? Who is the One Who made this dazzling sky that changed its colour with every passing moment? Who created these birds, with enormous wings? Who is holding the sky, and preventing it from falling over us? Who is changing the weather from warm to cool by sending soothing, gentle breeze to us. Who is setting the sun? Who is controlling this impeccable system? Who brings back the calmness of the night? Who?
I only had one answer. Allah (swt). My Lord, your Lord- the Lord of all that exists- Subhan’Allah! Who knew that a careless and reckless person like me would stare at the sky, and praise the beauty of Allah (swt). Only my Lord made me apprehend this. Everywhere I looked, I thought of Allah (swt). I couldn’t count His blessings. My mind was too small to enumerate His gifts; too small to appreciate or even understand His Strength and His Might.
Ya Allah (swt)! I asked myself- when was the last time I praised my Lord? My brain had signalled my eyes to produce tears.
I was remembering my Lord, after a long time. I wanted to trap my tears in my eyes- but like me, they broke away, flowing freely down my cheeks. I was daunted, disheartened by my own soul. I could hear the Adhan. “Come to Prayer.” The Muadh-dhin called out. Where were my prayers I asked myself? Why had I been ignoring my daily communication with my Lord? Was praying five times that hard? I had ravaged my own soul, destroyed my own self.
I looked back up towards the sky, it was getting darker; the sky was exhibiting shades of indigo. Birds were hastening back to their nests, and the clouds were gliding away with the wind. There was a weird sense of tranquility in the air. My heart felt open. I didn’t know when I got home. But, as soon as I did, I did Wudhu. Every drop of water cleansed my soul. I ran towards the prayer mat. And after a long time, prayed. Tears were still flowing, and my body was trembling.
I got up from my last Sujood, feeling lighter than ever. I finished my prayer, and wiped my tears away. I made a promise to myself that I will never abandon prayer again. I looked back at the sky, it was dark, velvety and the stars were glittering. Amazed once again by its magnificence, but more significantly, deeply in love with its Creator!
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