Admiring the Moon: Allah's beautiful Gift.
"The Moon was so beautiful that the ocean held up a mirror." - Ani DiFranco
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Since I was a little girl, I've always been fascinated by the beauty of the moon. Growing up I've always been such a 'look at the moon' person. Resting my head on the car window I used to often contemplate on its shape and feel mesmerized by its serene glow. It brought me a sense of peace, an escape from the chaos of my noisy surroundings.
People now often question me at times, 'Why do you always save and take photos of the moon"? I always say because I love it, and when I stare at its beauty my mind wonders about the beauty of Paradise. When I think about the beauty of Paradise, my mind wonders about the beauty of the One who created it!
The moon with it's serene presence reminds me of Allah's magnificinet creation and His boundless beauty. It's during such moments that my heart feels closer to Him, feeling grateful for the peace it brings into my life.
I love the moon because whenever I find myself missing someone, who is far away, I think of the moon. Despite being thousands of miles apart, two people are looking at the same moon each night. A silent reminder that even though we may be physically apart , this experience brings a sense of closeness, as if the moon itself bridges the gap between us.
When I feel lost or uncertain, I look at the moon and realize that this is the same moon I used to look up as a little kid with hopeful eyes, mesmerized by its glow. It was, it is and will always be the same. This reminds me of its creator, Allah, who is always by our side. That no matter how far I wander or how lost I feel, Allah is there, watching over me with infinite love and guiding me through His mercy. Just as the moon lights up the night sky, Allah's presence illuminates our lives, guiding us through moments of doubt and confusion.
When I feel scared of the future and the time passing by, I look up to the moon. Even when I'll be 50 or 60 years old, I'll look at the same moon I'll stare at tonight. This eternal presence of the moon reassures me of Allah's constant presence in my life. No matter how much time passes or how uncertain the future seems, Allah's guidance remains constant, providing me a sense of security amidst the unknown.
During other times when I start to feel lonely, I remind myself to just look at the moon. My heart suddenly pours out with immense joy, and tears stream down my face as I realize the profound fact how this has always been the same moon that even our Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) gazed upon❤. The same moon which reminded him of Allah's presence now reminds me too in the darkest of nights.
How the moon doesn't rush from behind the clouds but merely waits for them to pass. In a world where everyone is chasing after the fleeting moments, the moon teaches us a lesson in tranquility. When faced with obstacles, we often feel the urge to rush through them, we humans love quick things, to force solutions and answers. Yet by the moon's steady presence we are reminded that, we too can find strength in patience, and beauty in stillness.
Just as the moon has phases, from a bright full moon to a thin crescent, there are times when we feel whole and complete, and there are times when we feel shattered from the inside. In these moments of darkness and self-doubt, the moon reminds us that we don't need to be perfect to be worthy. It reminds us that our struggles are part of what makes us beautifully human.
This profound symbolism of the moon extends beyond personal reflections and holds a special place in Islamic tradition. One of the main ways it manifests itself through this culture is the prominent use of the Hijri calendar. Allah mentions about the moon in various instances in the Quran:
فَالِقُ الْإِصْبَاحِ وَجَعَلَ اللَّيْلَ سَكَنًا وَالشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ حُسْبَانًا
[He is] the cleaver of daybreak and has made the night for rest and the sun and moon for calculation. That is the determination of the Exalted in Might, the Knowing. (Surah Al Anaam, Verse 96)
فَلَمَّا رَأَى الْقَمَرَ بَازِغًا قَالَ هَٰذَا رَبِّي
And when he saw the moon rising, he said, "This is my lord." But when it set, he said, "Unless my Lord guides me, I will surely be among the people gone astray. (Surah Al-Anaam Verse 77)
وَجَعَلَ فِيهَا سِرَاجًا وَقَمَرًا مُنِيرًا
Blessed is He who has placed in the sky great stars and placed therein a [burning] lamp and luminous moon. (Surah Al Furqan, Verse 61)
وَالْقَمَرَ قَدَّرْنَاهُ مَنَازِلَ حَتَّىٰ عَادَ كَالْعُرْجُونِ الْقَدِيمِ
And the moon - We have determined for it phases, until it returns [appearing] like the old date stalk. (Surah Al-Yaseen, verse 39)
May the moon's serene light inspire us to find peace in our struggles, to embrace our imperfections, and to trust in Allah's plan.
In the end, the moon is more than just a celestial body; it is a beautiful reminder of Allah's creation and a symbol of the enduring light within us all.
