Rain

Rain
By Umm Amin and Amin

Bismillahi Arrahmani Irrahiim

Is it really raining outside? Drip, drop, drip, drop. Instead of drizzling it seems the sun should be out by now. Sometimes we look at live from one perspective, only to come back later and see the other perspective. We think we have a full understanding of what goes on around us, yet later experiences help us to see things in an alternative light. Even the summer has rainy days during which the grey clouds shower down misty rain from which the grasses, lilies, roses, trees, and other plants grow.

In Suratul Baqarah, we can reflect upon ayah 265, “And the example of those who spend their wealth seeking means to the approval of Allah and assuring [reward for] themselves is like a garden on high ground which is hit by a downpour – so it yields its fruits in double. And [even if] it is not hit by the downpour, then a drizzle [is sufficient]. And Allah, of what you do, is seeing.” Usually, we think of rain hitting a hill and going down lower, but the plant on top in fertile soil needs to retain little of that water to sustain itself. As a believer, this is a reminder that we do not need many of the earthly goods and material wealth that human beings chase after. If we spend in the way of Allah subhaana wa ta'aala, surely we can attain Allah’s pleasure and seek jennah. Allah subhaana wa ta'aala does not waste our time, energy, efforts, money, and other investments of wealth. If we are firmly planted on the path of Islam and seek to nurture ourselves as Muslims, when we give in the way of Allah there is benefit in both this life and in the Hereafter. It also makes us stronger, when our “roots” are more firmly planted into the ground. Allah subhaana wa ta'aala gives us strength when we give in His cause. It is also a reminder that the Muslim gets a double reward – contentment in this life knowing that you are pleasing Allah subhaana wa ta'aala, and satisfaction in the Hereafter as you seek the rewards of jennah.

This brings us back to occurrences that take place every day. We encounter difficulties and things that set us back in life. There are trials and hard tasks that we have to get past. Whether it is something like getting through traffic, completing an assignment, or something more challenging like the loss of a loved one, an argument, or a period of economic hardship, as Muslims we know that the more efforts we put in pleasing Allah our reward will be increased incrementally! Like the plant on the hill, the closer we come to Allah subhaana wa ta'aala the less we will need to sustain ourselves during times of difficulty. Our faith will be firmly planted and penetrate into the area around us. While we commonly think of giving in the way of Allah as monetarily, we can also give in the form of a sadaqah smile, encouragement to others, being kind, and removing something harmful from the road. When the showers dampen your day, think about firmly planting yourself on that hill in an effort to come closer to Allah subhaana wa ta'aala!

Posted in: Islam