Islam and Life cycles
(in the Haadiths and the Noble Qur'an: Ecology )
2000-2001 http://www.arttoday.com
by
Soumy Ana
(Shawwal 1421)
2
Story of life
This morning, men departed on camel’s backs for the desert of Nafud, in the
eastern part of Arabia. Waali and I joined them. Waali had never seen this part of the
desert before, that’s why his grandfather had taken us along with him. The dunes were
like a sea rippling along large areas of graveled lands. Waali thought about the life in the
desert; he thought that the life here was like the stunted type of sorghum that was grown
in the sands. It was a miracle of life, but a harsh one!
He often picked up his Qur’an and slowly recited Surah 16 known as Surah An-Nahl
(The Bee):
Allah has created the heaven and the earth with truth.
He has created man from a drop of semen, then behold, this same man becomes an open
opponent.
And the cattle, He has created them for you; in them there is warmth (from fur), and
numerous benefits, and of them you eat.
And wherein is beauty for you, when you bring them home in the evening, and as you
lead them forth to pasture in the morning.
And they carry loads to a land that you could not reach except with great trouble to
yourselves. Truly, your Lord is full of Kindness, Most Merciful.
He it is Who sends down water (rain) from the sky; from it you drink and from it (grows)
the vegetation on which you send your cattle to pasture.
With it He causes to grow for you the crops, the olives, the date-palms, the grapes, and
every kind of fruit. Verily! In this is indeed an evident proof and a manifest sign for
people who give thought.
And He has subjected to you the night and the day, the sun and the moon; and the stars
are subjected by His command. Surely, in this are proofs for people who understand.
And whatsoever He has created for you on this earth of varying colors (botanical life and
zoological life). Verily! In this is a sign for people who remember.
And He has affixed into the earth mountain standing firm, lest it should shake with you,
and rivers and roads, that you may guide yourselves.
And landmarks and by the stars human beings guide themselves.
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