Deans Avenue Masjid in Christchurch is situated just opposite to the Hagley Park. Every time the worshippers go in and out of the Masjid, they cannot ignore the natural beauty in Hagley Park. It is standing there with Signs of Allah, and I take these Signs are there to remind us.
For the last 24 years, I have been driving to get in and out of the Masjid, and every time I look at those trees, flowers, and leaves, I enjoy the beauty of Allah’s creation.
The scene encourages me to ponder about Allah’s creation as Allah has commanded us to do in the Holy Quran.
“Truly, in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of the night and the day, there are indeed Signs for men of understanding.” [Quran 3:190]
Especially, when winter comes, I see those trees losing their leaves. They look like they are dead without their green leaves and flowers. All these winter months, they look gloomy, as if they are absent from the nature, and they lose their attractive beauty to the viewers.
When I look at them during winter, they remind me of my death and that I will lose my beauty, hair, smile, speech, activities and the day when I will be dead. It reminds me that through my death, I will lose all that I can offer today to this world, for the service of humanity, for the sake of Allah and what I can offer to Allah as worship!
It worries me that when I will be dead, how people will remember me or what image of me I can leave behind for people to remember about me. Will they remember me as a good, kind, loving servant of Allah, or the opposite.
Those dead-like trees remind me to do the best deeds before my death to invest for my happiness in the next life in Paradise.
Then comes Spring. It replaces the winter scenery, and the trees become decorated with beautiful flowers, and green leaves. The traces of winter days get removed with the signs of life.
The flowers bring joy to those eyes that look at them. The death turns out to be live again. Spectators feel happy and get encouragement to be happy.
But for me, I feel happy with reminder again. It reminds me about the resurrection after our death. After this life, we shall die like the death of tree leaves and flowers in the Winter, and like Spring blossoming, we shall be resurrected again to face Allah’s court to give accountability about our actions.
The nature around us, reminds us about the resurrection. Allah says in the Holy Quran:
“Then see and think (about it, O man!) the proof of Allah’s Mercy! How HE gives life to the earth after its death: Surely, the Same (Allah) will give life to men after they are dead: And HE is able to do all things.” [Quran 30:50]
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