Issue No: 193
21st March 2014
19th Jamadi ul Awwal 1435 A.H.
Salamun alaykum,
Transformation is taking place:
All around us one finds transformation. With the advent of spring increased duration of daylight and warmer temperatures is experienced. The sound of birds chirping is in the air, the flowers start blossoming and all that which was dead in the cold winter season now comes to life. It is also time for the Spring Equinox, which refers to the position of the Sun in relation to the Earth. This is one of the two times in the calendar when day and night are equal, the other being in autumn.
Recognition of God:
Spring opens for us many avenues to know God.This season of transformation; the coming to life gives mankind an opportunity to reflect on these natural phenomenons as addressed in the Noble Qur’an:“Indeed in the creation of the heavens and earth and the alteration of night and day there are signs for those who possess intellect..”
Sura Aali Imran 3:190
Reflection for Nowrooz:
Today on Nowrooz, 21st March, the day of spring equinox, as you witness the beauty of the flowers and enjoy and take pleasure in the greening of the fields is this not an opportunity to reflect on the marvelous universe together with all its contents and rededicate yourself towards purification of your nafs and personality?
Is it not an opportunity to bring yourself to life, to revive yourself? You must be finding this a strange question for you and I are alive! The state of revival I am alluding to is to commence transformation of your nafs self-developing towards the best of states which is being close to Divine Mercy?
As the khalif, steward of Allah on earth how are you discharging your duty of care towards the environment?
Does not the occurrence of Spring Equinox highlight a valuable lesson for muslims to tread the middle way in both the material and spiritual lives and reject all forms of extremism whether in belief, conduct and even in worship? Allah says, “Thus We have made you a middle nation that you may be witnesses to the people and that the messenger may be a witness to you?” (Sura Al Baqara 2:143)
Wa ma tawfiqi illa billah
Fazle Abbas Datoo
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Resident Alim
Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat