Thankfulness is the Key to Piety

Thankfulness is the Key to Piety

Greenery spread everywhere,the beauty of the blooming flowers was captivating. The garden was redolent with the smell of the freshly blossomed
flowers. The plants showed specks of colourful flowers through the verdant flower pots.

The whole garden was scented with the sweet smell of the plants that stood with open arms ready to embrace the season of spring. Through the climbing bushes on the trellis peered the most beautiful roses you could see.

Sunlight poured in through the gaps between the boughs of the towering trees. Many trees had started to bear fruit. The fruit on the mango trees had started to ripen, its colour turning yellow.

The apple tree had its dried leaves replaced with new ones which looked as if they had been painted green by the angels. Each a different shade of green. The Neem tree had also shed its dull brown leaves and its bark looked a little more alive. The freshly watered plants and their flowers with droplets of water on them created the atmosphere of Eden.

The conditions for plants to grow were ideal, for the damp soil and light drizzle which had started, the situation could cheer the most forlorn hearts .Droplets of water had gathered on the poppies, dandelions and the lillies in the little pond signified the purity of nature with water above and beside them.

Birds chirped everywhere, a little mist had crept over the whole garden. The moisture in the air had condensed on many leaves and petals. The dew on the flowers and their beauty slowly whispered to the breeze, and I was ready to believe that nothing could be more beautiful.

In a shady nook of this beautiful garden, I sat on a bench of teak wood, watching the water lillies and narcissuses eye their reflections in the water. Whatever I saw that day engraved my belief in Almighty Allah's(GOD) nature.

As I sat there observing the beauties of his garden, my grandfather walked into the garden and seated himself beside me to remark, 'Galvanized by the beauty of nature?'

'I am wondering if anything could be more beautiful, if we commoners have such beauty to behold then what will be beauty for the rich?' I asked.

'Beauty, nature and emotions are the same for everyone, they are regardless of posessions,potential or talent. Here you sit and observe the creativity of nature,but you are not the first one to discover the joy of sheer beauty. This sight which intrigues you so much may seem like a beginner's view of a game when you see the other creations of The Almighty Allah. It is nice of you to appreciate beauty when you see it but, there is something much more important which is also related to everything else in our lives.'

'I don't understand.' I stated in confusion, whatever grandfather had said had truly baffled me.

'The garden looks exceptional today, not how it usually looks.'

'It always looks good. It's just that it the best as I've ever seen it.'

'It's the weather that makes it look better and of course your appreciating eye.'

I did not know how to respond so I kept quiet. My grandfather was a nature lover and had tended to this garden since not since not a bean had sprouted in it. That day he explained to me what he had learned through nature.

'Nature, beauty and life are a set of lessons which we appreciate many times but fail to understand the true reason behind their presentation.'

'Have you in your endeavours recognised the true meaning of these artistic presentations?' I inquired.

'There isn't one meaning, but thousands which an observant eye and thoughtful brain can discover. I may not have understood everything, but I did learn a very important lesson that is the lesson of thankfulness. When we look at a good painting we should praise the artist.'

'You mean to say that we should praise Almighty Allah (GOD) when we see the works of nature.'

'I see that you get the meaning,but nature is not the only creation of Almighty Allah(GOD) there are several other things, Allah (GOD) is the Most Merciful.

'No doubts about the fact that Almighty Allah(GOD), our creator is the Most Merciful Thankfulness is you say a lesson, which is instrumental for a good life but is seldom learnt.'

'Quite so, it is something which is good and brings about good.'

A lot had been said and I struggled to get everything to sink into my mind, the lesson was easy but an example was necessary. My grandfather had not coiled his words, but he always said things which needed to be understood.

In my efforts to understand him, a question arose in my mind and I put it into words, 'What if someone is in pain and is not satisfied with life what should his attitude towards life be?' I asked.

'A man who is deprived of luxury and is short of things he needs to fulfil his desires, still if he remains satisfied with what he owns . He prizes his family's love and the warmth of the light which illuminates his house and prays to Almighty Allah(GOD) for all his needs, he will surely be rewarded above his expectations if Almighty Allah (GOD) chooses to reward him.'

My grandfather's words changed my whole attitude towards life and I started to practise another virtue besides others that is thankfulness, to Almighty Allah(GOD) for HIS blessings and I started being thankful to His beings for promoting peace and goodwill, the lesson of ISLAM and every other religion. For surely goodness and piety is the message of every religion.