Deep Roots

Last updated on: September 23, 2009 at 11:00 pm by Marwa Aly

Deep Roots 2009-09-23T23:00:01-04:00 Marwa Aly

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I once attended a gathering where a gentle sheik was speaking. A women raised her hand and asked, ”In North America there are not many Muslims, should we move back to our home country to raise our children?” The Sheik paused for a moment and replied in a soft, kind voice, “You are not alone here, sister. Look outside; do you see the trees, plants, flowers, and all the nature? They are all souls of Allah SWT. In fact, you are the majority in this land, not the minority.” To this day, his words still penetrate my heart.

For many of us, when we are around nature we feel ease and tranquility. This is not by chance or coincidence. Be certain, this is a blessing from Allah SWT, for we are surrounded by souls of Allah that worship Him unfailingly. Notice the trees that sway in the wind, the birds that chirp at fajr or the sun that sets with the command of Allah. If only our worship could be so consistent.

Through out the life of Prophet Muhammad SAWS, nature has always been a source of contemplation and comfort. As a young boy he would gaze into the horizons and herd his sheep. As a young man, he spent days in the cave, reflecting on Allah SWT’s creations. And in his early stages of prophethood, our beloved Rasool sought serenity and security in the forest after fleeing from the stone pelters of Taif.

Alhamdullilah today we are still blessed with opportunities to contemplate nature and find comfort in it. By connecting to the creation of Allah, we remember Allah SWT. Allah SWT describes the character of a Muslim so beautifully in the Quran by using the parable of a tree.

“ Like that of a goodly tree- it’s roots deeply set, reaching out with it’s branches towards the heavens, giving it’s fruits at all times by the permission of it’s Lord. (Verse 24)

When we look outdoors we see trees and plants of all shapes, sizes and conditions. Our eyes seem to always be drawn to the tallest, most flourishing ones. These ones tend to also have the deepest roots, the strongest trunk and the longest branches. These are the trees I want to be like. We come from the Ummah of Rasoolullah SAW. Now that’s deep. We should want to be individuals that are deeply rooted in our Iman ( faith), Ibadaat ( worship) and our Tawakkul (reliance on Allah SWT at all times and circumstances). We want to stand tall, strong and firm. We don’t want to be swayed by the likings of shaitaan. The branches of our trees should reach far and wide, like far reaching arms that stretch over humanity, serving for the sake of Allah.

We ask Allah SWT to always keep us in the company of strong trees and to let our ummah be amongst the strongest forests in the land. Ameen.

Sharda Mohammed

Sharda Mohammed is a Canadian born mother of two young children. She has a keen interest inlearnig to foster leadership, self esteem and empathy in young children. She works part time as a Physical Therapist.

Connecting with Allah

Previous Post

September 20, 2009

Happy Eid

Next Post

September 28, 2009 Shattered Glass

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Book and Movie Reviews Community Connecting with Allah Counselor's Corner Environment fatherhood five stars GrowBaba Spotlight GrowMama Picks Growmama Roundup Health Light Fare marriage Motherhood Reflections moving Parenthood Photography Poems Schooling Self-development tragedy Tutorials Uncategorized

Select a Month December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 November 2008

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who was known as the doubter among Jesus' disciples?

Select your answer to see how you score.

James Thomas Peter John