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Castles in the air
Did the world really come into existence from one 'big bang' in the universe? Was there no steering hand in this process?
The desert has an
eerie beauty. Its golden dunes seem to have stood for time
immemorial, and then the wind will blow, changing their contours
before your very eyes. You find yourself at the mercy of the
elements, completely helpless before the blazing heat of the sun
and the emptiness of what surrounds you. Only the hardiest of
creatures survive this dreadfully beautiful place. We human
beings are not hardy. We depend on so many comforts to maintain
our physical and spiritual existence, yet in pride and arrogance
we dare to cross the golden plains that lure us to the last
challenge between life and death.
One day a group of friends decided to embark on a journey into
one of the remotest regions on earth. They started their trek
loaded with supplies and confidant about their success. The
desert heat beat down upon their heads, turning their gloating
happiness into misery and despair. Some stumbled and fell onto
the burning sands. Death stood in front of all of them, beckoning
them with unfeeling gestures. No one had enough strength
remaining to help his or her fellow travelers. At such a time,
one thinks only of oneself; a hope and ardent desire to survive
that only the deepest bonds of brotherhood and love can surmount.
No tears, no feelings remained, just exhausted desperation
wandering with half closed eyes. The trail of never ending
successions of hope disappeared into the sandy dunes whose
glimmering surface hid the dark dangers that awaited the
travelers.
Three friends remained. Standing on top of a sand dune, they saw
with amazed eyes, a palace. A palace in the middle of the desert!
Bearing the most beautiful shape and design that surely must have
been made by the very best of architects. Through fading eyes
they stood and tried to focus on the beauty and hope that lay
just beyond their reach.
As their eyes passed over intricate patterns of beauty, they
began to marvel at the sight. Surrounded by nothingness, a palace
lay, waiting to embrace them and give them renewed life. They
started to run.
Fountains of cool, clear spring water gushed around it, their
source unknown. Springing, as it seemed, from the very sands of
the desert. Palm trees weighed down with clusters of dates, lay
within easy reach of the travelers. "Just reach up and take
whatever you need," they seemed to say. Grapevines wound
their way around trellises carved from exotic wood. Bunches of
ripe, juicy grapes lay ready to be plucked and enjoyed. The gates
of the palace arched in a welcoming gesture and just inside were
comfortable chairs to recline on. Everything seemed to be made
just for them. Nothing too big or too small. Nothing out of
reach, nothing unpalatable, nothing insignificant. Everything
they needed to suit their needs and sustain their lives. How
pleased they were to have survived and witness this miracle.
Easing their thirst from the cool springs, they then washed their
tired, dusty faces, hands and feet. Ate their fill of precious
life-giving fruit, then started to look around them with
curiosity written on their faces. Curious, as human beings will
always be. In their wanderings they met a tall, refined man who
showed them the many wonders of this place. Rich carpets woven
carefully with delicate designs, too intricate for the human hand
to conceive. Pearls and shells decorated the tables with wealth.
The friends nominated a spokesman from among themselves to
question the caretaker. Some information seemed necessary to
satisfy their craving for understanding. Stepping forward, with a
polite gesture he began.
“Who lives here?” he asked.
“Anyone who passes by,” replied the caretaker.
“Who are you then?” asked the young man.
“Me? I’m the caretaker of this place. I am here to help those who find their way here.”
The young men looked at each other in astonishment. Their thoughts were racing. How did they get all this beautiful and priceless marble and gold here! Into the middle of the desert? Who took the time and effort to design and make these carpets and furniture? And was all this made and brought here for them, just because they happened to pass by? It seemed truly amazing! From where did they get the water and fruit, as they were in the middle of the desert!
“We must thank the owner of this place for providing us with all our needs,” said one of the young men with sincerity in his eyes.
The young man once again stood forward and had to ask, “Who took the trouble to build this most beautiful, perfect place? We must thank him for his kindness.”
“Oh,”
replied the man with an arrogant, inflated laugh. “No one
built it. No one designed it. No one maintains it. There was an
explosion some years ago and it just appeared from nowhere!”
"He it is
Who created the heavens and the earth in six Days and then rose
over the Throne in a manner that suits His Majesty. He knows what
goes into the earth and what comes forth from it, what descends
from the heaven and what ascends thereto. And He is with you (by
His knowledge) wheresoever you may be. And Allah is the All Seer
of what you do." (Al Qu'ran. Sura Hadid 57:4)
"He it is Who gives life and causes death. And when He
decides upon a thing He says to it only: "Be!" - and it
is." (Al Qu'ran. Sura Ghafir 40:68)
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