Lessons from a broken tree

Assalaamu’alaykum,

I always find so much inspiration in nature. In fact, Allah reminds us in the Quran to do so: 

"Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the day and night there are signs for people of reason." (3:190)

This verse encourages us to look beyond what is seen at the surface, to pause long enough to recognise that none of this was created in vain and that every detail carries meaning for the one who is present to seek it. 

When I step outside, there's something about the coolness of the fresh air, the greenery, the shifting sky and all its differing layers of colours and textures, the birds gliding and all of Allah's creation that connects me back to Him in a way I find difficult to access sitting on the inside of four walls. 

I call these outings, my "walk and talk" with Allah. As my senses take in the grandeur of Allah's perfect designs, I feel a deep internal reset and spiritually recharged, Alhamdulilah.

I find myself particularly drawn to trees. As each one stands in their own presence, it's own character, some towering and expansive, others quiet and understated, yet all rooted in the same earth. Their branches stretch in different directions, some reaching confidently toward the sky, others bending and curving shaped over time by an unseen divine force. There's a silent wisdom in the way they endure every weather pattern and continue to exist, without force or haste. 

They take from the land only what they need to survive, drawing nourishment from depths we can't see and in return they give without hesitation, in complete obedience to Allah. Their canopy provides shade on a hot day, they offer shelter to entire ecosystems that inhabit their bark and branches, they bear fruits and contribute to the very air we breathe.
Even in stillness, they are in service. SubhanAllah, there's a balance, a harmony, a divine order in every part of their design.

I find it quite mind-blowing to think that the potential of a magnificent tree was once contained inside of a tiny seed that had to be planted in darkness, pressed beneath the weight of the soil until it was forced to break in order to to become everything it was created to be. There's so many parallels we could draw to our own lives just from the humble seed of a tree but there was something else that caught my eye that day.

I was on one of my "walk and talk" moments in a park, when I noticed a particular tree. It's bark had split wide open, as if it was torn apart. The centre of it was complete hollow and it leaned toward one side, with much of its roots partially exposed and shattered as though it had been shaken by forces beyond its control.

And yet, despite all of this, it was alive.

Not just surviving but alive in the most visible way. Its branches were full, stretching outward with a richness of colour. Its leaves were vibrant, dense and thriving, catching the light as though nothing had touched it. There was no sign of retreat, no withholding. It continued to grow, to give, to exist fully in its purpose.

It made me pause and reflect on how closely this mirrors our own lives.

There are times when we may feel cracked open by what we’ve been through, moments where parts of us feel exposed and we feel uprooted. Perhaps we experience times where life shifts us out of alignment and we are left leaning, trying to find our balance again.

But Allah shows us, through something as ordinary as a tree, that broken does not mean we stop and it does not mean we give up.

That even when parts of us feel hollow and when we're not able to stand the way we once did, we can still stand. That even when the roots feel shaken, Allah still sends us nourishment and continues to sustain us in a way that we can live and give to life fully. 

The Prophet ﷺ described the believer like a date palm tree, steady, beneficial and enduring. And perhaps part of that is understanding that strength does not always look like perfection. It does not always look upright, unscarred or in a flawless form.

Allah is showing us, through his creation, that we can still stand tall, even if we have to lean to the side, we can still grow and thrive and be useful, bright and vibrant and continue to be a source of goodness. 

It was a powerful reminder to me of our own resilience and human capacity, if the humble tree can still show its potential and continue to thrive after being split open, exposed and shaken, then just imagine the capacity Allah has placed within us, even in our most difficult moments.

Have you ever found inspiration in nature?

I would love to hear your reflections. Share your story with me and I’ll choose one to feature in my next newsletter, so your reflection can become a source of khayr and inspiration for others, InshaAllah :) 

Reflection of the Week

Think of a moment in your life where you felt “cracked open” or shaken.

How might that be the place from which Allah is growing something deeper within you?

Dua of the Week

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الثَّبَاتَ فِي الْأَمْرِ وَالْعَزِيمَةَ عَلَى الرُّشْدِ

Allahumma inni as’aluka ath-thabata fil-amr, wal-‘azimata ‘alar-rushd

O Allah, I ask You for steadfastness in all my affairs and determination upon guidance.

(Ahmad)

Allah's name of the Week

Al-Jabbar (The Restorer, The One Who Mends What Is Broken)

Ya Jabbar, when parts of me feel broken, exposed, or unsettled, restore my heart and realign me with You. Allow every difficulty I face to become a means of growth, strength, and closeness to You, and help me to stand firm and continue forward with resilience.
Aameen, ya rabbal aalameen.