Morning Meditation of a Different Kind

A few random thoughts on nature and mankind’s place in it — written last year

As I sit comfortably in our small camping van, I watch the wild creatures as they begin their morning rounds. First two does, almost certainly Mule Deer, given where we are camping in Texas, amble by with their heads down as they browse on the grassy “breakfast bowl” before them.

Then the birds take central stage. First come the Grackles — their normally raucous voices stilled as the fly in low to the ground. The cloudy morning light dims the glory of their shiny black feathers.

A minute or two later, smaller blackbirds fly into a leafy oak tree on the side of our campsite. I can’t tell for sure but I think they are Starlings. Though often maligned, they too have their beauty.

In a few more minutes I hear the Green Jays with their raucous calls and gorgeous colors.

Praise God for all this beauty around me! At times it feels as if the Master Artist combined colors in a way that humans could never get away with. But it works in nature and adds joy to my life.

However, many people ignore this beauty and focus on themselves. They ignore the natural world, wanting only to gain wealth and power. Sadly, their greed harms both themselves and our environment. The environment makes sense, but how does it hurt them? Whenever greed takes hold of a person, their essence — their soul — suffers. For we are here to appreciate nature, not to destroy the amazing system and beauty God has blessed us with.

In the Quran, God describes this more than once. Here is one example:

Qãroon (the slave driver) was one of Moses’ people who betrayed them and oppressed them. We gave him so many treasures that the keys thereof were almost too heavy for the strongest band. His people said to him, “Do not be so arrogant; GOD does not love those who are arrogant. Use the provisions bestowed upon you by GOD to seek the abode of the Hereafter, without neglecting your share in this world. Be charitable, as GOD has been charitable towards you. Do not keep on corrupting the earth. GOD does not love the corruptors.”

He said, “I attained all this because of my own cleverness.” Did he not realize that GOD had annihilated before him generations that were much stronger than he, and greater in number? The (annihilated) transgressors were not asked about their crimes.

One day, he came out to his people in full splendor. Those who preferred this worldly life said, “Oh, we wish that we possess what Qãroon has attained. Indeed, he is very fortunate.”

As for those who were blessed with knowledge, they said, “Woe to you, GOD’s recompense is far better for those who believe and lead a righteous life.” None attains this except the steadfast.

We then caused the earth to swallow him and his mansion. No army could have helped him against GOD; he was not destined to be a winner.

Those who were envious of him the day before said, “Now we realize that GOD is the One who provides for whomever He chooses from among His servants, and withholds. If it were not for GOD’s grace towards us, He could have caused the earth to swallow us too. We now realize that the disbelievers never succeed.”

The Quran 28:76–82

Thank you for reading this story. May God bless you and us all.