والطير محشورة كل له اواب

وَٱلطَّيْرَ مَحْشُورَةً ۖ كُلٌّ لَّهُۥٓ أَوَّابٌ

This morning, after completing my Fajr prayer, I remained seated on my prayer mat, reciting my morning adhkār with my eyes closed. As I sat in remembrance of Allah, I could hear the birds singing outside.

In that moment, it struck me that they too were glorifying Allah. While I was remembering Him with my tongue, they were remembering Him in the way Allah created them to. 

I was reminded of the honor Allah granted to Prophet Dawud (ʿalayhis-salām), when the birds and the mountains glorified Allah alongside him. For a moment, it felt as though we were all engaged in the same act of worship—together praising our Creator. After all, every part of Allah's creation, except jinn and mankind who have been given free will, is in complete submission to Him. Perhaps the birds were far more subservient than me. 

That reflection led me to think about the many honors Allah has bestowed upon this Ummah—honors that resemble, in their own way, the special gifts He granted His Prophets.

Through salah, we are given the privilege of speaking directly to Allah, a blessing that reminds us of the unique honor of Prophet Musa (ʿalayhis-salām), who was Kalīmullāh - the one who spoke with Allah.

I also thought of Prophet Yunus (ʿalayhis-salām), who, in the darkness of the night, the darkness of the sea, and the darkness of the belly of the whale, called upon Allah: "Lā ilāha illā Anta, subḥānaka innī kuntu minaẓ-ẓālimīn." Allah made this supplication a means of relief for him and taught it as a source of hope and deliverance for the believers as well.

Then my thoughts turned to Prophet Isa (ʿalayhis-salām), whom Allah gave the miracle of curing the blind and the leper by His permission. While we are not granted miracles, Allah has blessed each of us with abilities, skills, and opportunities to bring ease, healing, and benefit to others. Whether through knowledge, compassion, teaching, medicine, therapy, or countless other forms of service, every good we do is ultimately a gift from Allah and only possible by His permission. This brought me humility about my own therapy practice. 

Reflecting on all of this filled my heart with gratitude. The Prophets hold a rank that no one can attain, yet Allah, out of His immense mercy, has allowed this Ummah to share in many beautiful blessings that remind us of His closeness, His generosity, and His love for those who turn to Him.

Nasra sharif Barakallah feeki dear sister

Reflections on Surah Sad Ayah 19