Spring bursts, like no other place, in Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, the Illuminated City of the Prophet, SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Trees sing and sway in an awakening dance. Not many trees, but enough for the heart to rejoice as the vision plays on the soul. And because there is little vegetation within the sacred boundaries of the City itself, more emphasis and prominence strikes the heart due to the scarcity and the contrast with the dominant somber sandy hues.
Spring changes us. It’s Divine Energy of renewal, birth and hope enlivens and inspires. The best colour for the eyes to gaze upon is green. It is calming; a balm for whatever may ail one. And of all the colours one associates with this City of Enlightenment it is GREEN. The subtle changing tones and shades of the Mubarak Dome of Peace is synonymous to believers the world over with our love for our Beloved Al-Mustafa, SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Green was his SallAllahu alaihi wasallam favourite colour. SubhanAllah! And according to a narration by Lady Aishah RadhiAllahu anha in Bukhari our Noble Nabi SallAllahu alaihi wasallam was covered in a green square garment upon his death. A tradition many follow to this day with the Mayit draped in a green cloth as they are carried to their grave.
Allah Ta’ala refers many times to the lush qualities of green for us to reflect upon:
And with Him are the keys of the unseen treasures– none knows them but He; and He knows what is in the land and the sea, and there falls not a leaf but He knows it, nor a grain in the darkness of the earth, nor anything GREEN nor dry but it is all in a clear book. (6:59)
And He it is Who sends down water from the cloud, then We bring forth with it buds of all plants, then We bring forth from it GREEN foliage. (6:99)
Do you not see that Allah sends down water from the cloud so the earth becomes GREEN? Surely Allah is Most Kind, Aware. (22:63)
All the signs of spring are further enhanced and magnified by his SallAllahu alaihi wasallam light dispersing The Light of Allah Ta’ala. The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam is an object of Allah Ta’ala’s action, with every action being of His Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala’s Essence, An-Nur being one of His Divine Attributes.
Monday was the day Allah Ta’ala created green vegetation, and Monday was the day He blessed this world with the birth of Muhammad SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Allah Ta’ala chose this verdant season of spring for His Light to be made manifest on earth.
Green vegetation and light; the two intrinsically interwoven forces the Creator has bestowed upon us as our life force, the synergism of the secret of life on earth, the source of the air we breathe and the food we eat, SubhanAllah! Without this combination there is no earthly existence. Similarly, without the combination of the light of Allah Almighty’s blessed Spring Gift SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, a Mercy to the Worlds, and without us actualizing the message he bequeathed us, then our soul is spiritually bereft of the Light which transforms our soul.
A soul with the natural disposition of yearning to be,
Reclining on GREEN cushions and beautiful carpets. (55:76)
A soul desirous of,
..gardens of perpetuity beneath which rivers flow, ornaments shall be given to them therein of bracelets of gold, and they shall wear GREEN robes of fine silk and thick silk brocade interwoven with gold… (18:31) (76:21)
May we nurture the essence of an eternal spring in our hearts wherever we may be. Ameen.
All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen.
