Assalamu’alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh
Bismillahir- Rahmanir-Rahim
1. Preface
Have you ever realized that right now we are on a giant “vehicle” speeding at an incredible pace? The Earth we stand on rotates on its axis at 1,600 km/h at the equator, and hurtles around the sun at 30 km/second. Logically, at such a tremendous speed, we should be flung off or at least feel overwhelmingly dizzy. Yet, look how serene our lives are. Water in a glass does not spill, sturdy buildings do not crack, and our sleep remains sound. Allah conceals that speed within perfect stability through gravity and an atmosphere that clings tightly. This is the mercy of God—wrapping immense power into soothing tranquility.
2. Explanation
Qur’anic Evidence and Hadith
Allah SWT says about the tranquility of the earth:
أَمَّنْ جَعَلَ الْأَرْضَ قَرَارًا وَجَعَلَ خِلَالَهَا أَنْهَارًا وَجَعَلَ لَهَا رَوَاسِيَ وَجَعَلَ بَيْنَ الْبَحْرَيْنِ حَاجِزًا أَإِلَٰهٌ مَعَ اللَّهِۚ بَلْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
“Is He [not best] who made the earth a stable place, and placed within it rivers and made for it firm mountains and placed between the two seas a barrier? Is there a deity with Allah? But most of them do not know.” (QS. An-Naml: 61)
Regarding the movement of mountains—the earth—that appears still :
وَتَرَى الْجِبَالَ تَحْسَبُهَا جَامِدَةً وَهِيَ تَمُرُّ مَرَّ السَّحَابِ ۚ صُنْعَ اللَّهِ الَّذِي أَتْقَنَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ ۚ إِنَّهُ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَفْعَلُونَونَ “And you see the mountains, thinking them rigid, while they pass as the passing of clouds. [It is] the work of Allah, who perfected all things. Indeed, He is Acquainted with that which you do.” (QS. An-Naml: 88)
The Messenger of Allah SAW also reminded us to always reflect:
تَفَكَّرُوا فِي خَلْقِ اللهِ ، وَلا تَفَكَّرُوا فِي اللهِ
“Reflect upon Allah’s creation, and do not reflect upon the Essence of Allah [for you will not be able to comprehend it].” (HR. Abu Nu‘aim in Al-Hilyah)
3. Lessons and Message
The stability of the earth teaches us about Trust and Submission. The vast earth itself obeys Allah’s law of gravity to preserve human life, so how ashamed should we be if we, as small humans, often violate His rules. Power without control is destruction, yet Allah’s power controlling the earth is a form of protection. We are invited to become individuals who are “firm” in principle—like the earth that is _qarara_—yet still bring benefit and “move” forward in goodness.Imagine a large city with luxurious skyscrapers. Its residents feel safe atop their wealth. Then, Allah “permits” the earth to tremble for just a few seconds through an earthquake. Instantly, houses worth tens of billions crack and become worthless. Wealth accumulated over decades turns to rubble in a moment. At that point, humans realize how small they are. We only appreciate the “stillness of the earth” when it moves even slightly. The blessing of the earth’s tranquility is a luxury we often forget to be grateful for until it is gone.Human life is like a passenger inside a luxurious and stable airplane cabin. The aircraft’s engines roar outside with thousands of horsepower, slicing through the sky at high speed. Yet, because of the pilot’s expertise and advanced technology, passengers inside can sip coffee calmly without spilling a drop. If we thank a human pilot, why do we often forget to thank the “Pilot of the Universe” who keeps this earth stable in its rotation?Have you ever imagined if the earth’s gravity suddenly “broke down” or “took a break” for just five minutes? Perhaps while you’re showing off your new car in front of your house, suddenly you, the car, and even the meatballs you’re eating would float up to the ceiling of the atmosphere. You want to be angry, but you can’t—because your sandals have already flown off toward the moon! Allah keeps us “grounded” not because of our excess body weight, but because of His love that binds us to the earth so we don’t become accidental astronauts stranded in empty space.
4. Conclusion
The earth is not still; it runs fast. Yet Allah made it _Al-Ardh Qarara_—a stable place—for our comfort. One hour of contemplating the wonders of rotation and gravity is truly better than sixty years of outward worship without contemplation. Let us gaze at the heavens and the earth not only with our physical eyes, but with the eyes of the heart.May this reflection increase our prostration to the One who holds control of the cosmos. Glory be to Allah, Lord of all the worlds
والله أعلم بالصواب
الحمد لله رب العالمين
Abu Sultan Al-Qadrie
