We’re all From the Same Source
Kaybar, Saudia Arabia - 2023 Ummrah Trip
Jummah Mubarak, sis! Plants are diverse yet united in their dependence on water and humans are diverse yet united in their need for Allah swt's mercy and guidance. This diversity is a sign of Allah swt’s boundless wisdom and creativity. Different plants contribute to the ecosystem in unique ways, just as Allah made people different so they could learn from and support one another. For an example, cacti in deserts and aquatic plants in lakes demonstrate complementary roles in sustaining life. Similarly, Allah made people with diverse talents and perspectives to enrich societies. All plants depend on water to live, just as all humans depend on Allah swt for sustenance and guidance. Regardless of our differences, every person is equal in Allah swt’s eyes based on their taqwa (piety and God-consciousness), not their external traits. In the Qur'an, Allah swt emphasizes that He created people with differences in cultures, languages, appearances, and abilities to recognize His signs and foster understanding among themselves.
Surah Al-Anbiya | 21:35
كُلُّ نَفْسٍۢ ذَآئِقَةُ ٱلْمَوْتِ ۗ وَنَبْلُوكُم بِٱلشَّرِّ وَٱلْخَيْرِ فِتْنَةًۭ ۖ وَإِلَيْنَا تُرْجَعُونَ
And We test you with evil and with good as trial; and to Us you will be returned
This ayah is a reminder of how we can shift our perspectives when viewing trials. Plants in challenging environments, like deserts, teach us that Allah swt tests His creations differently. Similarly, humans face different trials based on their circumstances. In essence, just as plants are diverse yet united in their dependence on water, humans are diverse yet united in their need for Allah swt's mercy and guidance. This diversity is a sign of Allah’s boundless wisdom and creativity. So, will you shrivel up because you don’t have enough water, or will you adjust and preserve what you have?
Allah swt, in His infinite wisdom, tests His creation in different ways, just as He designed each plant to endure and thrive in its specific environment. A cactus in a barren desert doesn’t lament the lack of rain—it adapts, preserves the water it receives, and flourishes against all odds. Similarly, when humans face trials, the focus should not be on what is lacking, but on how to make the most of what Allah has given us. Trials, then, are not punishments, but opportunities for growth, perseverance, and closeness to Allah. Just as no two plants share the exact same challenges or adaptations, no two humans are tested in the same way. Our individual trials are perfectly tailored by Allah to our circumstances and capacities. Allah assures us: "Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear..." (Surah Al-Baqarah: 286). This means that whatever difficulty we encounter, we are equipped with the potential to endure and overcome it. Recognizing this allows us to see trials not as insurmountable burdens but as divine trust in our ability to persevere.
The Prayer Plant
The prayer plant thrives by unfolding its leaves during the day to absorb light and folding them at night in rest, showing its complete reliance on the natural order Allah created. Similarly, humans thrive spiritually, emotionally, and even physically when they submit in prayer, finding balance and nourishment for their souls.
The prayer plant’s rhythm is guided by the light it receives—a metaphor for divine guidance. Humans, too, are guided by the “light” of revelation, the Qur’an, and the sunnah. Just as the prayer plant folds its leaves in response to natural cycles, believers find their rhythm in the cycles of prayer throughout the day, reconnecting with Allah at each interval.
