Voice of British Muslim Women

Bareera Ghaffar, Birmingham

I find something so calming about the sky. The cotton candy clouds, and its shapeshifting engulfs me into a daze of tranquillity, yet simultaneously a great curiosity for the sky and its limitlessness. Staring at the motions above me, reignites that there is something much greater than me, than us, in that moment. When looking up at the sky, one would not be able to pinpoint where it starts and where it ends. Like a circle with no beginning or end, as many of God’s marvellous creations the sky is part of the cyclical and infinite bounties that God bestows on His creation. The sky ever so grand, encompasses within its benevolence countless galaxies and stars that adorn the canvas that appears to separate mankind and their Lord. The Holy Quran emphasis this point, and questions and asks its readers in Chapter 50 verse 7 to ponder, “Have they not looked at the sky above them, how We have made it and adorned it, and  there are no flaws in it?’. The sky in its beauty illustrates the endless attributes of God – it signifies His fashioning of creation, His control, His perfection, His greatness, and His mercy. 

God The Wise has created everything in such a perfect manner. Just by pondering about the sky alone one can discover so much about God and in turn oneself. From the sky we receive sunshine that light up our surroundings the same way having God in one’s life is a source of peace and comfort. At the same time, that very sky can change when lightening and heavy winds strike- the same way life is not always plain sailing, and we are hit with different challenges of varying magnitudes. Like the famished soul can be yearning for spiritual closeness and a down pour of mercy from their Lord, the same way from the skies does rain fall on barren land and become fruitful for humankind. Not only that, but God has also provided us a means of making the sky a place therein we travel through and see clouds that are so magical. He has further made the sky into a playground for wildlife to roam freely and of which man has found activities such as sky diving. All such things are done so intentionally and precisely, The Holy Quran outlines “…He has raised the heaven high and set up the measure” (55:8).

Like the sky and its vastness, God has infinite attributes that we should all aspire to. One attribute that does not draw an obvious link with the sky, is As-Satter regarding God being the coverer of faults. God has created between us and our atmosphere many different layers to protect us from so many unknowns. We can understand this protection in the physical as well as spiritual sense. Night comes to cover us and let us rest. In both physical and spiritual sense, it comes to shield and to preserve us. We humans are weak, and sinful but here is our Lord covering, shielding, and protecting us.

At times we can feel as though the sky is so close to us, yet the sky and its clouds are so far. In the same way we feel as though God is so close to us yet not near in the physical sense. The skies hold within it plenty of miracles. It is through the skies that Lunar and Solar eclipses of the coming of Prophets are shown, it is through the skies that the coming and closing of Ramadan is marked, it is with the skies that God comes to the lowest levels at the time of Fajr, and it is in between the skies that angels sit in their splendour with their wings covering the entire horizons. As narrated by Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) from the Prophet (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), who said: Allah has supernumerary angels who seek out gatherings that Allah’s name is mentioned, they sit with them and fold their wings round each other, filling that which is between them and between the lowest heaven. (Hadith 14, 40 Hadith Qudsi) 

May we continue to ponder at the skies and its infinite beauty and see the sky as a source of inspiration. May we be among those who evoke blessing on the Lord of humankind Who permit us to be surrounded by angels at the lowest level of the heavens, the skies.