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Inspiration and Spirituality

Winter Reflection

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By Ammar AlShukry

I can’t count the number of times that I’ve heard someone exhale a statement of resentment towards the cold this year. This winter has been long. Really long. The chorus is the same from all of these individuals, “Is winter over yet? Is it spring yet?”

I’ve been reflecting over a verse of late that is stunning in its beauty. Allah says,

57_16
“Has the time not come for those who have believed that their hearts should become humbly submissive at the remembrance of Allah and what has come down of the truth? And that they not be like those who were given the Scripture before, and a long period passed over them, so their hearts hardened; and many of them are defiantly disobedient.” 57:16

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These are hearts that have become like winter; cold, barren, hard, some even to the level of a polar vortex! And they’ve been like that for so long, isn’t it time for spring yet? As we desire so desperately for winter to be gone, to finally experience spring around us, we should desire more desperately to experience spring inside us – the softening of our hearts to the remembrance of Allah. The inner winter is more of a disaster than the outer.

But no matter how long the winter, be it the inner or the outer, change can come. In the next verse Allah says,

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“Know that Allah gives life to the earth after its lifelessness. We have made clear to you the signs; perhaps you will understand.” 57:16

Be inspired by the signs, inspired by the leaves that grow and the life that you see come to return around you at the end of winter. The one who gives life to the earth can give life to your heart. It can appreciate His remembrance, it can appreciate the truth.

How appropriate is it that in the famous supplication from the Messenger ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him), he says,

“Oh Allah make the Quran for us, the spring of my heart.”

Be gone, winter! Spring, please come!

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Alhamdulillah, we're at over 850 supporters. Help us get to 900 supporters this month. All it takes is a small gift from a reader like you to keep us going, for just $2 / month.

The Prophet (SAW) has taught us the best of deeds are those that done consistently, even if they are small. Click here to support MuslimMatters with a monthly donation of $2 per month. Set it and collect blessings from Allah (swt) for the khayr you're supporting without thinking about it.

3 Comments

3 Comments

  1. Tamer

    April 28, 2014 at 8:28 AM

    Subhan Allah, what a beautiful reminder. Though I knew of this dua I never really thought of the phrase “rabee’ qalbi” in that way before.

    I don’t know about the rest of the readers here but ever since I graduated and started my corporate job and my spirituality took a crazy dive. When I was in college I was surrounded by the msa and attending events, which helped a lot. I guess we can call this positive peer pressure. But when I started worked I barely had time to do anything.

    I, unfortunately, am one of those who’s heart became cold, barren and hard. I ask Allah to reexperience spring of my heart- Ameen.

    Jazakum Allahu Khayran for sharing Ammar. Keep them coming.

  2. Abeer

    April 28, 2014 at 12:52 PM

    Beautiful reflection, ma sha Allah. Jazak Allah khair

  3. Manna

    April 29, 2014 at 11:50 AM

    JazakAllahu khyr Ammar for the excellent and brief reminder. I too felt a spiritual decline and realized one day I become desensitized to some of the sins perpetuated around me because it was the norm for my coworkers. SubhanAllah. May Allah subhanawata’Ala revive our hearts and make our best days yet to come and make our best day the day that we meet Him subhana wata’Ala.

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