Reflection...a natural inclination?

It occurs to me that perhaps we, as human beings, have a natural inclination to reflect on life and the universe. 

As young children, we are trying to make sense of the world around us. Most importantly, we are using our faculty of sight to look at our surroundings - even before we are walking on our own two feet. Reflection may begin by observing that which we can see. And it progresses with thinking deeply about that object perceived, asking questions about its existence, features, character, nature. I, for one, was a curious child. I would say 'why' all the time to the point that my mother would at last reply with, 'because the sky is so high' and just like that, our conversation would be at an end. 

As human beings, we are constantly waking up to a new day and sleeping in the dead of night. Always witnessing the movement of the clouds and the appearance of the stars. We can't take this for granted and dismiss it as mere normalcy. Why? The universe is a great expanse of space, from the tiny ants crawling on the earth's surface to the giant star that is the sun. How can this occur by accident? Or with no purpose? Abdulati also puts forward questions regarding this, 

'Can we find an explanation of the outstanding universe? Is there any persuasive interpretation of the secret of existence?' (1997, p.9)

It is indeed an extraordinary occurrence. Just think, for example - the sun rises at the beginning of the day and sets at its end. And this happens 365 days a year, without fail. Such precision and perfect order, 

'...we observe that the universe exists and functions in the most orderly manner, and that it has survived for hundreds of thousands of years. Can we, then, assume that all this is accidental and haphazard? Or can we attribute, the existence of man and the whole world to mere chance?' (1997, p.9-10)

Source:

Abdulati, H. (1997) Islam in Focus. Egypt: Al Fatah Foundation

The Earth

Let us appreciate for a moment the creation that is the earth. A spherical blue and green planet, the only one that is capable of sustaining life. The inhabitants of 7 (nearing 8) billion people is testimony to this. How can all 7 billion people walk on the round earth at the same time without falling? Of course, there are forces in play, as explained by science but it is a wonder - what are the chances that in the whole universe only this planet can support us, add to that the fact that we don't fall off of it!

Images from NASA of the 'Blue Marble'. Source: https://www.universetoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/BlueMarble-2001-2002.jpg

How is it that while one part of the planet is under cover of night, the other is waking up to a new day? How can the earth be round, but at the same time flat to walk upon? Isn't this one of the favours of our Lord? Shouldn't we be thankful? He has made the earth accessible as a place to carry out our affairs, to go about our business, travel and rest upon. How can the earth be so stable and secure with all that is in it, and all that is on it, such as sky-high buildings. 

Another point to contemplate is the earth's beauty. Have you seen its wonders? The beauty in its very nature? Its lush green grass, tropical and exotic flora and fauna? Its clear blue waterfalls and rivers? These are reasons to travel more and travel often. Look upon the richness the world has to offer - that of plants, food, animals, nature. That in itself will provide a means to reflect constantly.

The following are the words of God from the Qur'an, about the earth: 

"And the earth have We spread out, and have flung firm hills therein, and have caused of every lovely kind to grow thereon. A vision and a reminder for every penitent slave."

Surah Qaf, verse 7-8 (Note: Pickthall translation)

"And He it is Who spread out the earth and placed therein firm hills and flowing streams, and of all fruits He placed therein two spouses (male and female). He covereth the night with the day. Lo! herein verily are portents for people who take thought."

Surah Ar-Ra'd, verse 3 (translation as above)

"Have We not made the earth a receptacle. Both for the living and the dead,"

Surah Al-Mursalaat, verse 25-6 (translation as above)

Food

I love food. And so, naturally, I am not a picky eater. I eat my greens, enjoy wholesome, nutritious meals and like trying out new flavours. Being a Muslim means I also fast and this makes me appreciate food (and drink!) even more. I think to myself: I can never again take food for granted, as it is not guaranteed where my next meal is coming from, or whether it will ever come at all.

So, I've decided to reflect on food - something we may not even consider contemplating about. 

Selection of different foods. Source: https://oneclassblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/food.jpg

Some questions that have come to me regarding food are as follows: how does water that comes down from the sky make different kinds of fruits and vegetables grow, though they are of different colours, smell and taste? How do plants that produce edible foods grow from one exclusive matter (i.e. soil)? How can each food have a different taste? How could it be that we as humans need minerals from our food - metals! - for our well-being? And how do these foods absorb or contain these metals? 

You could see where I'm coming from, right? The variety and myriad of food out there in the world, I find, is amazing. Its delectable scents, delicious tastes. And the fact that you can trace it all back to the earth, a universal solid matter of goodness underneath our feet, proves the kindness and beneficence of our Creator. It is only right that we give thanks to the One who provided all this for us. Alhamdulillah. Praise be to Allah.   

Here are some verses from the Qur'an regarding food: 

"O ye who believe! Eat of the good things wherewith We have provided you, and render thanks to Allah if it is (indeed) He Whom ye worship." 

Surah Baqarah, verse 172 (Pickthall translation)

"He it is Who sendeth down water from the sky, and therewith We bring forth buds of every kind; We bring forth the green blade from which We bring forth the thick-clustered grain; and from the date-palm, from the pollen thereof, spring pendant bunches; and (We bring forth) gardens of grapes, and the olive and the pomegranate, alike and unlike. Look upon the fruit thereof, when they bear fruit, and upon its ripening. Lo! herein verily are portents for a people who believe."

Surah Al-An'am, verse 99 (translation as above)

"He it is Who sendeth down water from the sky, whence ye have drink, and whence are trees on which ye send your beasts to pasture. Therewith He causeth crops to grow for you, and the olive and the date-palm and grapes and all kinds of fruit. Lo! herein is indeed a portent for people who reflect." 

Surah An-Nahl, verse 10-11 (translation as above) 

The Sky

The heavens above. Source: https://static.pexels.com/photos/53594/blue-clouds-day-fluffy-53594.jpeg

Though we see it night and day, have we reflected on the sky and its vastness? Its height? And its many alternating colours displayed throughout the day? 

The sky has been spread above us to cover everything there is on earth, acting as a canopy, a roof over our heads. This roof shelters us from harm. One such example is the ozone layer. Without the ozone layer in the sky, we would be exposed to greater dangers from the Sun's ultraviolet light such as increases in sunburn, skin cancer, cataracts and damage to plants, to name a few. The sky exists with purpose and if it weren't for its existence, what would've become of us?  

I'd like to consider another. A reflection within a reflection: have you seen the birds flying, gliding, soaring in the sky? The only animal to navigate with accuracy whilst in mid-air is the bird. It knows the sky better than us and so can give it just appreciation. If only us humans can communicate with the bird and ask of it to do just that we would for sure come to know the value of this entity: the sky.   

Birds in the sky. Source: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/f9uEsS3jPO0/maxresdefault.jpg

I find it extraordinary how the sky is so far away from the earth, and wonder with awe: how come it doesn't come crashing down? Does gravity not apply to it? And, also: how does it stay up there when there are no pillars to support it? 

These questions may seem to you trivial (if you are well-versed in physics or astronomy), but how many meteors have penetrated the sky? How many times and to what degree have the Sun's rays pierced it? How much damage has been done to it since time began? How can it be static and stationary but still moving throughout the course of the day? How is the sky strong enough to hold clouds heavy with rain? 

Although science may have the answer to some of these questions, perhaps some will remain unanswered. And I think it appropriate to now refer to the words of the Creator of the sky, as He would know best about His creation. I invite you to read the following: 

"Who hath appointed the earth a resting-place for you, and the sky a canopy..."

Surah Baqarah, verse 22 (Note: Pickthall translation)

"Have they not then observed the sky above them, how We have constructed it and beautified it, and how there are no rifts therein?" 

Surah Qaf, verse 6 (translation as above)

"He hath created the heavens without supports that ye can see" 

Surah Luqman, verse 10 (translation as above)

"and He holdeth back the heaven from falling on the earth unless by His leave" 

Surah Hajj, verse 65 (translation as above)

Link to Islam

My initial motivation to start this blog is to practise the teachings of my religion, i.e. Islam. I hope to make this blog a means of doing so, as reflecting on ourselves and the world we see around us is encouraged. As for ourselves, God says: 

"And in the earth are portents for those whose faith is sure, And (also) in yourselves. Can ye then not see?"

Al-Zhariyat, verse 20-1 (Note: Pickthall translation)

Regarding the heavens and the earth (of which we are inhabitants):

"Lo! In the creation of the heavens and the earth and (in) the difference of night and day are tokens (of His sovereignty) for men of understanding."

Al-Imran, verse 190 (translation as above)

 Source: https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2017/04/trees-have-their-own-songs/521742/

Purpose of 'Musings of the Mind'

As this is my first post, I think it necessary to clarify the purpose of this blog. Musings of the Mind is a project conceived for myself - first and foremost - to record my reflections of life and our existence on earth, serving as a reminder for the wonders of the universe. Secondly, this project serves for the reader and viewer (I hope!) as a means to reflect, learn and share opinions regarding our individual reflections of life. 

Contemplation. Source: http://bigthink.com/21st-century-spirituality/how-contemplation-changes-our-brains-for-the-better

As we all have differing perceptions on life, I consider it will be beneficial for us to all share our views so that we learn from each other and hopefully can become better versions of ourselves. 

It is with a good heart that I bid you farewell, and until next time!