CREDIT: http://www.earthporm.com/28-majestic-owls-caught-camera/See you not that whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth, and the sun, and the moon, and the stars, and the mountains, and the trees, and Ad-Dawaabb [moving (living) creatures, beasts], and many of mankind prostrate themselves to Allah. – Quran [22:18]
All creation, animate and inanimate, holds a level of awareness of The Divine Presence. Many humans, animals, water, oceans, fish, the corals and all nature praise Him, each in their own way, but we do not understand their way of exalting. Tree leaves, rocks, thunder, rain, flowers, possess One-ness with The One God, The Creator of life, the seen and the unseen, the known and the unknown. Observing animals we find them in a dream-like meditative state, birds, fish, cats and dogs often appear in a peaceful breathing meditation, in total harmony with their environment. We find that birds and animals congregate early in the mornings and before the sun sets to chant collectively, every day without fail. For animals and humans alike these hours possess majesty, a spiritual mystical awe and a new beginning or ending of day and night.
And remind (yourself and remind others) the Name of your Nourisher-Sustainer (in the) morning and the late-afternoon (in your Fajr and Asr Prayers). – Quran [76:25]
Upon rising from sleep and before the day sets we center our heart and thoughts on the Divine, we praise Him, thank Him, seek His forgiveness and Mercy for ourselves, family, loved ones and all mankind. For the practicing muslim, we follow what we call Athkar morning/ evenings, reciting prayers which are highly beneficial for a holistic healing and grounding. For others, it could be admiring the creation, nature and what have you. Regardless of all, centering yourself to your Creator in these two hours is an act of submission and renewal of the testimony that there is No God but God. The One God. Aligning yourself with the spiritual realm and God is referred to as bathing your soul in pure water, cleansing your heart from earth’s dirt so the true untarnished you can reveal itself to you.
The word to “submit” or “surrender” is often regarded with a negative connotation, although on the contrary of being viewed as a weakness, it is an act of strength. It is submitting to As-Salam, The Source of Peace, an act of internal surrender: releasing worries, anxieties, fears and negative emotions, in trust to the Higher Power which birthed you and knows that which you know not.
Divine Realization is an innate blessing, often unrealized because of daily commotion and distraction with life.
If We had sent down this Qur’an upon a mountain, you would have seen it humbled and coming apart from fear of Allah. And these examples We present to the people that perhaps they will give thought. – Quran [59:21]
We offered Our Trust (Our deputation) to the heavens, to the earth, and to the mountains, but they could not bear this burden and were afraid to accept it. Mankind was able to accept this offer but he was unjust to himself and ignorant of the significance of this Trust. – Quran [33:72]
Every day, the sun goes down under the Throne and prostrates to Allah. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said to Abu-Dharr When the sun set one day, Do you know where the sun goes?” I (Abu Dharr) said, Allah and His Messenger know best”. He said, It goes and prostrates under [Allah’s] Throne” (Agreed upon). Ibn al-Arabi, may Allah have mercy upon his soul, said, Nothing prevents the Power of Allah from enabling everything, including animals and inanimate objects, to prostrate to Him.” In fact, all that exists in the universe prostrates to Allah. Allah, Glorified be He, says: “Have they not observed things that Allah has created, (how) their shadows incline to the right and to the left, making prostration unto Allah, and they are lowly?” (An-Nahl: 48)
In the end, it is just you and The Creator of you, how do you want to meet Him?
a mystical marvel indeed and the best definition of a Muslim and the eternal submission to the Almighty and as rightly mentioned by you “The word to “submit” or “surrender” is often regarded with a negative connotation, although on the contrary of being viewed as a weakness, it is an act of strength. It is submitting to As-Salam, The Source of Peace,”… makes me imagine wearing my kharqah whirling until doomsday ..