The Signs of Allah and Travelling Overseas

This year we are holidaying with my husband's family in Indonesia. Travelling overseas really broadens your mind. It exposes you to different cultures and makes you realise that your way is not the only way. It instills patience, understanding and empathy with your fellow humans. This is what I am hoping my children will learn and remember from their travels, insha Allah.

Travelling overseas also exposes you to an abundance of Allah's creations. Take flying in the plane as an example. If you have the window seat you could see the amazing cloud formations close up. Subhanallah, what an experience!

Verily! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, and the ships which sail through the sea with that which is of use to mankind, and the water (rain) which Allah sends down from the sky and makes the earth alive therewith after its death, and the moving (living) creatures of all kinds that He has scattered therein, and in the veering of winds and clouds which are held between the sky and the earth, are indeed Ayat (proofs, evidence, signs, etc.) for people of understanding. (Qur'an, Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #164)

 

If you think about it, the act of flying itself is truly amazing. Who is it that allows this to be possible? It is only with Allah that it is even possible. And what about the ships on the seas?

He it is Who enables you to travel through land and sea, till when you are in the ships, and they sail with them with a favourable wind, and they are glad therein, then comes a stormy wind and the waves come to them from all sides, and they think that they are encircled therein. Then they invoke Allah, making their Faith pure for Him Alone, (saying): "If You (Allah) deliver us from this, we shall truly be of the grateful." 

(Qur'an, Yunus, Chapter #10, Verse #22)

There are plenty of mountains and rocks to contemplate upon.

And it is He Who spread out the earth, and placed therein firm mountains and rivers and of every kind of fruits He made Zawjain Ithnain (two in pairs - may mean two kinds or it may mean: of two varieties, e.g. black and white, sweet and sour, small and big). He brings the night as a cover over the day. Verily, in these things, there are Ayat (proofs, evidence, lessons, signs, etc.) for people who reflect. (Qur'an, Ar-Rad, Chapter #13, Verse #3)

The rock in the left photo is gigantic, subhanallah. Compare it to the leaves from a tall tree that you could see at the top of the picture. When my children stood in front of the rock they were only 1/8 of the rock.

So always try to find opportunities for you and your family to reflect on Allah's creation, even when travelling and holidaying.