In The Eye of The Storm

Salaam Minara Family,

A little literary do-now for you.

[Context: it’s been super windy and gusty in this little corner of England!]

What does wind symbolise? What ideas do you associate with it?

Giving you a minute [and an image to inspire!]…

If you thought of any below, well-done!

• nature 🍄‍🟫

• power of nature🍃

• life and death 🦺

• uncertainty 😕

• the unknown ⚫

• conflict 🪖

• internal struggles 🤯

On a normal day, the wind is just another force of nature, unseen and unnoticed, except in the gentle caress of your hair or the docile rustle of the trees.

On a more blustery day, it is a more boisterous child or a whirling dervish, stubborn but playful in announcing its arrival.

Perhaps where you are in the world, the wind is a storm that brings to its knees forebearers of history, like wizened trees and buildings, centuries-old.

Three scenarios… one constant. Whatever the environment, the condition is always the same.

The wind does not work without Allah’s Jurisdiction.

We learn that the wind is more than a mere metaphor, rather a magnificent testament to Allah’s Might and Power.

And that is why Islam teaches us not to curse the wind because though it can bring with it turmoil and unrest and is synonymous with storms that ravage the world, it is also a great mercy. _{^{[Narrated by Abu Hurairah, Hadith Source: Nasai', Abu Dawud, Ahmad]}}

Keeping it straightforward today friends with a wind du’a for you to memorise, a little insight into wind under the lens of the Qur’an and a prayer tip to enlighten your day 🍃.

Wind is a creation of Allah and as a created entity, neither harms nor benefits except by the Word of Allah. Instead of cursing the wind, the Prophet ﷺ directed us to seek the goodness it brings and protection from the destruction it could cause if Allah willed it so.

The following du’a is a compact and perfect way of doing both.

اللَّهمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ خَيْرَهَا، وَخَيْرَ مَا فِيْهَا، وَخَيْرَ مَا أُُرْسِلَتْ بِهِ، وَأَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّهَا، وَشَرِّ مَا فِيْهَا، وَشَرِّ مَا أُُرْسِلَتْ بِهِ

‘Allahumma innee as-‘aluka khayrahaa, wa khayra ma feehaa, wa khayra maa ursilat bihee, wa a’udhu bika min sharriha, wa sharri ma, feehaa, wa sharri maa ursilat bihee.’

“O Allah, I ask you of the goodness of this wind, and the goodness it contains and the goodness with which it has been sent, and I seek Your refuge from its harm, and the harm that it contains, and the harm with which it has been sent”.

[Muslim]

Did you know that the wind is mentioned a whopping 27 times in the Noble Qur’an? Let’s think about some of the ways the wind is a mercy as described in the verse above:

Hold on to your hats [or hijabs] ladies and gentlemen - science coming through!

1. Wind moves heat and moisture away from our bodies. This keeps us cool on hot days.

2. Wind helps plants spread by blowing their seeds [ e.g.] sycamore seeds to fresh ground from which new trees will grow.

3. Wind blows away fog and pollution in cities, making the air cleaner and more breathable.

4. Wind turbines generate electricity.

5. Wind means we can hang washing outside to dry.

6. Wind is a clean energy source - it does not release pollution or produce waste.

7. Kite-lovers love a good bit of breeze!

The wind is truly a wonder. Next time the wind blows, remember its Creator who has knowledge of it, has power over it and made it a mercy for Mankind .

No matter how heavy the storm [check out Minara’s Insta!], salah is our anchor and flashlight to find the rainbow at its end.

But in the midst of the storm, the rainbow may be difficult to seek and salaah challenging to offer.

A great tip to open up the heart and remove anxious and negative sentiments about salah, is to recite istighfaar as much as possible. There are so many benefits of saying a simple ‘Astagfirullah’ [I seek Allah’s forgiveness''].

Despite being the best of creation, the Prophet ﷺ would seek forgiveness before sleeping, in the night prayer, after reliving himself, after wudhu, within each salah, after completing salah...

Why? Because istighfaar:

• removes anxiety

• alleviates grief

• helps duas to be answered

• increases productivity

• opens the door of sustenance

• makes sinning harder

• makes good deeds more accessible

• fills the deficiencies in our prayers

We love this thoughtful post here about the writer’s reflections on making istighfaar and journaling for maximum impact.

Let’s finish our reading by committing to a small istighfaar challenge of x100 every day. You could allocate twenty per salaah [before or after] or designate one salah which you are able to offer with more time.

Don’t leave your prayer spot until you have offered your simple ‘Astagfirullah’ and in sha Allah see your heart and mind open to the goodness you seek.

Wishing you warmth for the week ahead ❣️

The Minara Team