“Do they not look at the earth—how many of every noble kind We have caused to grow in it? Verily, in that there is a sign, but most of them do not believe.”
— (Quran, Surah Ash-Shu’ara, Chapter 26, The Poets, Verse 7–8)
Who needs miracles to prove the existence of a Divine Creator when, every day, as we journey to our varied destinations, we pass by miracles blossoming right under our noses? How blind and desensitised we have become to these awesome wonders of creation as we stroll past a tree, a meadow, or a garden of flowers. In every species lies a unique variation of colour, form, and design.
Many trees also share a symbiotic relationship with other creatures and fungi. One striking example is the hazel tree, which grows widely across Europe. Its leaves provide food for the caterpillars of many moths, including the large emerald, the small white wave, the barred umber, and the nut-tree tussock. Coppiced hazel also offers shelter to ground-nesting birds such as the nightingale, nightjar, yellowhammer, and willow warbler.
What a beautiful God! One of His names is Al-Mubdiʿ (The Originator)—for He gives every created thing its own distinguished characteristics. He is also Al-Khaliq (The Creator) and Al-Musawwir (The Fashioner).
Sometimes words fail to capture the awe and majesty of what grows around us. As we move towards autumn and the trees and bushes hang heavy with fruit, while crops stand ready to be harvested, my heart feels as though it will burst from the sheer abundance and beneficence of God.
If only humanity would turn away from the ugliness of alienation from the Divine and return to celebrate His encompassing presence in all of creation. There is no chemical fix or drug that can make us as euphoric as the joy of reflecting, worshipping, and celebrating the love, power, and generosity that He provides for all. If only we would turn back to Him.
Even among plants, there are those whose flowers open at the break of dawn and close as darkness falls. Could we not learn from them? Let us open ourselves to the light, and withdraw from the darkness. Surely this is a clear sign for us—yet most of us do not contemplate the true purpose of our existence.
As we witness yet another autumn in our lives come and go and watch the leaves change in all their vibrancy, let us contemplate the beauty and miracle of our existence. Just like the leaves on the trees our time will pass on this earth and our spring will be in another realm, so let us glorify God our creator and develop a loving relationship with Him. Our joy comes when we plant our heart in Him and in Him is true growth that will bear the promised fruit in eternity.