The Blessings of Rain The Beauty of Matar |
Written by Nuraz |
Salaam (WRWB). Friday as we know is the most blessed of that week. In it Pray Jummah, receive extra reward, and believe its historical significance. As Prophet Adam (AS) had been put into Jannah and expelled out of Jannah in both occurring on a Friday. That being said we also know that dua’s are also a lot more powerful on Friday. That being said, Friday is very special as it signifies the creation and power of Allah (SWT).
Some event that is very special that doesn’t have to occur in a specific month or specific time every year is rain. Imagine how powerful your dua’s would be paired up alongside Friday. This article isn’t specifying about Friday but it’s of course more to the rain.
Context about Rain
The rain or “Maatar” is one of the creations of Allah (SWT) that signifies something. You ever listened to one of those study compilations of rain noises while you're studying. Or just stood or sat in front of your window looking outside and listening to rain pour down? When you do, you feel therapeutic and a moment of peace. This is no coincidence as Allah (SWT) mentions in the Quran,
وَٱللَّهُ أَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءٗ فَأَحۡيَا بِهِ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ بَعۡدَ مَوۡتِهَآۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَأٓيَةٗ لِّقَوۡمٖ يَسۡمَعُونَ
Meaning - And Allah has sent down rain from the sky and given life thereby to the earth after its lifelessness. Indeed, that is a sign for people who listen. (16:65)
Look at the significance of the rain. It is also very crucial in the Prophet (PBUH)’s time. As he had spread the message of Islam in Mecca and Madinah, both very dry and hot places that need more water to live in comparison to Europe or the US. As in times of droughts came struggle. Then what had made it easier for them was the rain being sent. As there is even a prayer for that for us to pray, known as Salaat-Al-Istisaqaa, a simple 2 rakat prayer in times of drought. What rain had meant to the Prophet (PBUH) and his companions was fulfillment, gratitude, and a symbol of power from Allah (SWT).
Purpose of Rain
Now that we have gone over the basic details of rain. What purpose does it serve to us and what does it mean? In hindsight the rain not only shows us the perfection in Allah (SWT), but it also serves as a reminder to do good or a drought occurs. This doesn’t mean like all the trees are gonna diminish and it’s gonna become a desert. This drought can simply mean a drought in righteousness or happiness, or a struggle that had occurred in your lifetime. So it is important we do good so we can water our drought of blessings.
Rain can be really put into 3 major things it symbolizes. Life, Power, and a Glad Tiding, each with ayats that cover these topics.
Rain can be signified as one of the factors towards forming life alongside the Heavens and the Earth as Allah (SWT) proclaims in the Quran,
إِنَّ فِي خَلۡقِ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَٱخۡتِلَٰفِ ٱلَّيۡلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ وَٱلۡفُلۡكِ ٱلَّتِي تَجۡرِي فِي ٱلۡبَحۡرِ بِمَا يَنفَعُ ٱلنَّاسَ وَمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مِن مَّآءٖ فَأَحۡيَا بِهِ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ بَعۡدَ مَوۡتِهَا وَبَثَّ فِيهَا مِن كُلِّ دَآبَّةٖ وَتَصۡرِيفِ ٱلرِّيَٰحِ وَٱلسَّحَابِ ٱلۡمُسَخَّرِ بَيۡنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ لَأٓيَٰتٖ لِّقَوۡمٖ يَعۡقِلُونَ
Meaning - Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and earth, and the alternation of the night and the day, and the [great] ships which sail through the sea with that which benefits people, and what Allah has sent down from the heavens of rain, giving life thereby to the earth after its lifelessness and dispersing therein every [kind of] moving creature, and [His] directing of the winds and the clouds controlled between the heaven and the earth are signs for a people who use reason. (2:164)
This goes to show how rain is the specimen of life. And the way we use it arrives for faith. Speaking of life and creation, rain is also a symbol of power from Allah (SWT). As it shows how beloved Allah (SWT) to each one of his creations. Especially in this ayat when Allah (SWT) provides,
ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِي يُرۡسِلُ ٱلرِّيَٰحَ فَتُثِيرُ سَحَابٗا فَيَبۡسُطُهُۥ فِي ٱلسَّمَآءِ كَيۡفَ يَشَآءُ وَيَجۡعَلُهُۥ كِسَفٗا فَتَرَى ٱلۡوَدۡقَ يَخۡرُجُ مِنۡ خِلَٰلِهِۦۖ فَإِذَآ أَصَابَ بِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُ مِنۡ عِبَادِهِۦٓ إِذَا هُمۡ يَسۡتَبۡشِرُونَ
Meaning - It is Allah who sends the winds, and they stir the clouds and spread them in the sky however He wills, and He makes them fragments so you see the rain emerge from within them. And when He causes it to fall upon whom He wills of His servants, immediately they rejoice.
Of course with the purpose of life and a symbolism of power, the rain doesn’t only bring about just that. It can also bring good heralds; messengers of good news. It may not speak to you like a news broadcast, vocally and attentively. It is a natural sign for you to sight just as it was also a sign during the Prophet (PBUH)’s indicating that good times are ahead, representing a sense of gratitude, As Allah (SWT) mentions in the Quran
وَٱلۡبَلَدُ ٱلطَّيِّبُ يَخۡرُجُ نَبَاتُهُۥ بِإِذۡنِ رَبِّهِۦۖ وَٱلَّذِي خَبُثَ لَا يَخۡرُجُ إِلَّا نَكِدٗاۚ كَذَٰلِكَ نُصَرِّفُ ٱلۡأٓيَٰتِ لِقَوۡمٖ يَشۡكُرُونَ
Meaning - And the good land – its vegetation emerges by permission of its Lord; but that which is bad – nothing emerges except sparsely, with difficulty. Thus do We diversify the signs for a people who are grateful. (7:57)
This ayat really goes to show on being grateful, furthermore you being on the rightful track hence rain comes your way.
Conclusion
That being said. Rain is one of the most prized possessions of nature that Allah (SWT) has made with utter protection. Just like the rivers of Heavens, and the creation of the lush trees, rain means something more than just some ASMR, therapeutic piece of nature. As look in the ayat of Surah Mulk Salaam (WRWB) says,
هُوَ ٱلَّذِي جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ ذَلُولٗا فَٱمۡشُواْ فِي مَنَاكِبِهَا وَكُلُواْ مِن رِّزۡقِهِۦۖ وَإِلَيۡهِ ٱلنُّشُورُ
Meaning - It is He who made the earth tame for you – so walk among its slopes and eat of His provision – and to Him is the resurrection. (67:15)
Let this be a reminder to appreciate the pieces of nature and creations of Allah (SWT), and make it a reminder for us. Salaam (WRWB).