The waves that beckon through time
Once again I find myself on the ocean. It beckons me from time to time. A silent call beneath the waves that crush. I am at peace amidst the chaotic dance of the water that floats the boat. It is a strange feeling, surrounded by the vastness of uncertainty and the possibility of sudden violence yet shrouded in peace. This ocean is both as deep in magnitude as it is deep in wisdom.  And it reminds me of my ancestors that I never met but long to meet. This ocean is the immortalised link between me and my past. Between me and my origin. Between me and my identity. It gives me a sense of belonging knowing that some years ago, before I was even a possibility in this reality, my ancestors traversed across the deep blue from one continent to another in search of possibilities. I wonder what brought them; was it the same curiosity I have over the ocean? Or was it a life-threatening situation? I don't know, yet I feel connected to them.  I wish to know their stories, but all I have is this vast blue ocean that divides us between time and space. And this massive sign points me to the greatness of its Maker. The one who subdued it for my ancestors to cross, by His grace – regardless of their reasons – and for me to float in reflection and appreciation. And I pray that the one who linked me to them, across this divide of time and space, allows us to meet again in gardens of bliss, exchanging stories buried by this ocean.

JazahkAllah Khairan for sharing. One of the beauties of Allah's creation is the sea. The breeze heals from within, yet it holds a strength like no other when the tide comes in. Ma sha Allah Taabrak Allah.

To get beautiful pictures of our life,our lens should be clear.To get sharp images,we should hold the camera without shaking.When our mind is agitated,it will be difficult to capture the MOMENT before it is gone.
        Being impatient and ungrateful will make our lives miserable.Lets always remember that everything is from Allah and everything is to him,and whatever befalls from Allah is khair.
       Lets always try to keep the lens of our heart clean and keep our mind still,free of tentions and anxieties to capture every second of our lives beautifully.
    May Allah help us to always aim for akhira and not to make this world,the biggest concern.Aameen...

Whenever we're taught a new concept in school, we're often given examples to practice on. Different examples that ultimately follow the same concept we learnt. Similarly, though we'd like to say we know love, we also acknowledge that the love we express towards a partner is different from the love we express towards our children, which can also be different from the love we express towards our parents.

The land, the sky, the sea... they're different examples that ultimately follow the same concept we know, and yet, we'll also acknowledge that each touches our hearts in different ways.

-

{ And a sign for them is that We carried their offspring in a laden ship. 
And We created for them from the likes of it that which they ride. } (Qur'an, 36:41-42)

Though it may not directly tell you how so, this is similar to what was said earlier within the chapter about the signs of the land,

{ That they may eat of His fruit. And their hands have not produced it, so will they not be grateful?
Exalted is He who created all pairs—from what the earth grows and from themselves and from that which they do not know. } (Qur'an, 36:35-36)

Like the land, the sea is something to be grateful for. However, whereas the fruits remind us of the blessings we have in our lives, the sea has the potential to remind us of the hopes we have in reaching them,

{ Do you not see that ships sail through the sea by the favour of Allah that He may show you of His signs? Indeed in that are signs for everyone patient and grateful. } (Qur'an, 31:31)

Likewise, to acknowledge the ships that carry generations worth of people and the diverse modes of transport made available to us is much like acknowledging the creation of pairs from what the earth grows. 

Like the light of day, these blessings can so easily be withdrawn, but what's different is that the feeling of being drowned in a ship feels far more raw, far more real than being enveloped in never-ending dark,

{ And a sign for them is the night. We remove from it the day, so they are in darkness. } (Qur'an, 36:37)

{ And if We should will, We could drown them; then no one responding to a cry would there be for them, nor would they be saved
Except as a mercy from Us and provision for a time. } (Qur'an, 36:43-44)

If not the sea, then the like of it, such as the planes that we enter. To have the plane caught in a storm, the room shake, the lights to go off, to feel the plane descending out of control, to know that there's no way out... to survive and only then to forget, to never realise that that each passing day and step to come, Allah was caring for you in this same manner, even in matters you couldn't have ever comprehended were there...

{ Do you not see that ships sail through the sea by the favour of Allah that He may show you of His signs? Indeed in that are signs for everyone patient and grateful.
And when waves come over them like canopies, they supplicate Allah, sincere to Him in religion. But when He delivers them to the land, there are of them who are moderate. And none rejects Our signs except everyone treacherous and ungrateful. } (Qur'an, 31:31-32)

The signs of the sea contextualises Allah's continuous mercy throughout every step of our journey and further, allowing us to truly appreciate what we have. It recontextualises what we see as problems. The end of the world isn't when we fail an exam, nor is it the loss of those we love. That and even moments far, far less than that will hit like it when we fail to recognise His blessings though. To remember that Allah is ensuring you stay afloat even in this very moment though, even the end of the world won't harm you.

The lack of grace and integrity is long over due to be restored upon man kind. It is through ones free will within ; ultimately a strong moral compass. Integrity but most importantly exhibit respect for thyself by respecting Allah (God) AND  thyself as well as others. In that it does not mean not standing up for yourself , but to do so with the right strength the right balance and the right state of mind. When lacking these you call upon prayer time and center ones self through knowledge, faith and practice but not forgetting the importance of fellowship that is the communal time in which brotherhood and sisterhood is formed. It is Allah's will for peace and balance on Earth of all faiths..... hence the importance of unity, diversity within that is always following the light within . Good not evil! Make the right choices, stand up with respect and appropriateness, and when not in perfection be kind to yourself and work on it. The devil will consume he is not ones friend he is doing his job after being cast out of the Heavens and in that so much harm to yourself that ripples across every realm , but ultimately it devours you and from there devouring of others peace. That's where one allows evil to prevail and there is no place for that here on Earth or the heavens above. Final Judgement is that Final and eternal. Choose wisely and be of peace and the light of Allah always rebuke and stand firm and tall. Liberate your mind from the contentions of evil or dark focus to be pure and respect thyself we are vessels in our bodies here on Earth , treat your body and self as a Temple forgive but don't forget everything in this life is a learning moment, a pivotal point for change , a new path to succeed and prevail from the mistakes of the past , watch who and what you praise it will eternally carry with you ........ Its a process you must trust!

In 31:29, Allah highlights His direct creation, but in 31:31, He draws our attention to something manmade—a ship. Even something as complex as a ship relies entirely on Allah’s will to function. It depends on the right wind direction, calm waves, and the buoyant force—all of which are under Allah’s control. SubhanAllah, even the sea, vast and powerful, has no strength of its own. It is Allah who gave it the ability to hold such a massive vessel, reminding us how deeply we depend on Him for everything, even for things we think we’ve built ourselves. 

In 31:32, Allah beautifully shifts to the human experience. It reflects how, in moments of desperation, we cry out to Him for help. But when Allah grants us ease and safety, the real test begins. Do we remain grateful, or do we forget and grow distant, as though we saved ourselves? 

This is so relatable today. Think about airplanes—how smoothly they fly through the air. SubhanAllah, Allah gave them the ability to defy gravity and soar above the clouds. Yet, when turbulence strikes, the fear that grips our hearts makes us turn to Allah with sincerity, pleading for safety. But the true test of faith isn’t in those moments of distress; it’s when the turbulence ends, the winds calm, and we land safely. Do we thank Allah wholeheartedly, recognising His favour, or do we act as if we reached the shore by our own doing?

This ayah invites us to reflect and renew our gratitude, to remember that ease and safety are just as much a test as hardship. Let’s strive to be among those who remain humble and thankful in every state.