Rain and Revelation

The place where we live, that is, Karachi, is one of the driest places in the world. The average annual rainfall is only 6(six) inches. And it did not rain for the last three years.

Can you imagine what it must have looked like. The trees were leafless; not a blade of grass for miles around; the wells ran dry till fathomless depth. It was just a horrible scene of devastation comparable to Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Baghdad and/or Kabul.

Then on 12th of July this year it rained. It was just 51mm (about 2 inches). Suddenly there was life all around. The trees were full of leaves. The grasses grew in abundance. The goats, cows and other cattle appeared to dance with joy like their human counter-part. People seemed to be thankful to the Almighty for His Blessings. The wells began to swell. There was an air joy, happiness, gratefulness and thankfulness.

Reading through the Holy Quran this Ayat (sentence) attracted attention:

"Seest thou not that Allah 'sends down' rain from the sky, and forthwith the earth becomes clothed with 'green'? For Allah is He Who understands the finest mysteries, and is well acquainted (with them)." (Sura Hajj: 22/63).

Reflecting on the word 'sends down' it dawned that this same word

(Arabic: Anzala) has also been extensively used wherever the Book, Quran, Inspiration or Revelation has been mentioned.

 It automatically follows that Revelation does to the human mind, soul, body and spirit what rain does to a dead earth. It brings life and 'greenery' to the human psyche.

 Hazrat Musa (PBUH) was directed to seek knowledge and insight from one of Allah's servants. This person is commonly known as "KHIZR" which in Arabic means 'green'.

 And see what the Holy Quran says about itself:-

 "Thus have We sent thee amongst a people before whom (long since) have

(other) peoples (gone and) passed away; in order that thou mightest rehearse unto them what We 'send down' unto thee by inspiration; yet do they reject (Him) The Most Gracious! Say: "He is my Lord! There is no god but He! On Him is my trust, and to Him do I turn!" "If there were a Quran with which mountains were moved, or the earth were cloven asunder, or the dead were made to speak, (this would be the

one!) but, truly, the Command is with Allah in all things! Do not the believers know, that, had Allah (so) willed, He could have guided all mankind (to the right)?" (Sura Raad: 13/30-31)

 May Allah in His Mercy enable us to grasp with sincere understanding what He has 'sent down', and instill 'greenery' into our dull and drab life. Aameen.

 Servant of Allah,
October, 2001.

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