Nothing New Under The Sun
All is Vanity and Striving After Wind
The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem, are as follows:
“Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher.
“Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.”
(Ecclesiastes 1:2)
As we reach the end of another year in our lives, particularly for those of us in the autumn years of our journey, these lines from Solomon resonate deeply. The rest of the book of Ecclesiastes similarly strikes a chord, offering a reflection on the fleeting nature of life. Our lives, like the seasons, cycle through stages—childhood, adulthood, and old age—each phase filled with meaning yet also marked by moments of contemplation and even melancholy.
The repeated Hebrew term hevel (meaning “futility” or “vapor”) reflects the transient nature of existence. It highlights the frustration and sense of meaninglessness that many feel as they navigate the struggles of life. Interestingly, the prophet Solomon (PBUH) guided the Queen of Sheba and her people, who were known for worshipping the sun. It may be purely coincidental, but the phrase “nothing new under the sun” used in Ecclesiastes also underscores the futility of our earthly existence—its temporality and limitation.
In the Quran, we find a similar narrative:
“I found her and her people prostrating to the sun instead of Allah, and Satan has made their deeds fair-seeming to them and has barred them from the (right) way, so they are not guided aright.”
(Chapter 27, An-Naml, The Bee, Verse 24)
The mission of Solomon (PBUH) was to guide them toward the truth, and to turn their hearts from the worship of creation to the Creator.
In Ecclesiastes, Solomon continues:
“I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. I applied my mind to study and explore by wisdom all that is done under the heavens. What a heavy burden God has laid on mankind! I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind. What is crooked cannot be straightened; what is lacking cannot be counted.”
(Ecclesiastes 1:13-15)
“I said to myself, ‘Look, I have increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me; I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge.’ Then I applied myself to understanding wisdom, as well as madness and folly, but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind. For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.”
(Ecclesiastes 1:16-18)
As we observe the changing of seasons, let us reflect on the cycles of our lives. From youth to old age, life passes quickly, and Solomon’s words challenge us to examine the meaning behind our toil. Without faith in Allah (SWT), our efforts may feel futile. For Solomon, the essence of existence was bound to the recognition and reverence of God. Without Him at the center, everything is hevel—a vapor, without true substance. This is where the concept of Tawhid—the oneness of God—becomes crucial. God encompasses all of existence. Nothing exists outside of Him, and to deny His presence is to miss the true meaning of life.
In the conclusion of Ecclesiastes, Solomon reflects:
“Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs. The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails—given by one shepherd.” (Ecclesiastes 12:9-11)
He concludes:
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
(Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)
Let those who believe in the One God work together to glorify Him, making Him the core of our lives. With God at the center, every season, every cycle, becomes filled with meaning and purpose. As winter passes by, let us not despair in the perceived futility of existence but instead embrace the joy and purpose that God blesses us with. May we never lose sight of the truth and the guidance He provides, keeping us from temptation and sin, and leading us to eternal joy in His presence.