Happy and Blessed Earth Day!

In the Name of the All-Compassionate and Loving One

Beloveds,

Happy and blessed Earth Day!

I would like to share with you a few verses from the Generous Quran speaking of the Earth:

And He has spread out the Earth for all living beings, and within Her are fruit and palm trees with clusters of dates, and grains on tall stalks, and sweet smelling plants.
Then which of the favors of your Lord and Lover will you deny?
55:10-13

And the Earth We have spread out, setting upon Her strong mountains and bringing forth from Her all species of beautiful life to be observed and celebrated by every lover turning in contemplation. 50:7-8

And the servants of Rahman are those who walk humbly and gently upon the earth, and when the ignorant address them they respond with peace. 25:63

The One Who has made the earth a resting place for you, and the sky a canopy, and sent down water from the heavens and brought forth therewith fruits as provision for you. 2:22

And the Earth will shine with the glorious light of Her Lord. And the Book will be opened. The Prophets and the Witnesses will be brought forward. And the decision between them will be made in justice and none will be wronged… 39:69

And here also are a few teachings of the blessed Prophet regarding the Earth, may he and the faithful hearts be showered in sublime love:

A man asked the Prophet something about prayer. The Messenger of Allah told him: “… and when you prostrate, place your forehead on the earth so that you can feel it.”

The Prophet used to make his forehead and nose touch the earth in prostration.

I saw the Prophet when prostrating himself place his forehead and his nose on the earth.
The holy Prophet instructed: “Your prayers would not be true unless you accomplish your ablutions… and place your faces (or foreheads) on the earth.”

According to the noble Shia tradition: The Prophet, aleyhi salam, explained the reasons for prostrating on soil in the most beautiful manner. In Kanz al Ummal Volume 7 Hadeeth Number 19778:

تمسحوا بالأرض فإنها بكم برة (برة: أي مشفقة عليكم كالوالدة البرة بأولادها يعني أن منها خلقكم، وفيها معاشكم، وإليها بعد الموت

“Rub yourself on the earth because its mercy for you is just like the mercy of a mother for her children. Verily you have been created from it, it is your livelihood and food, and to it will you be returned after death.”

We know that the blessed one slept on the earth and he reported that for his sake Allah had made the Earth a prayer carpet for those who prostrate.

Muhammad the messenger of goodness has transmitted to humanity that if a person plants a tree, its benefits to people and its benefits to all creatures will continue being a blessing to that person as long as the tree lives, even if the person has passed.

The Prophet said, "On the Day of Resurrection Allah will hold the whole earth in His hand and roll up the heavens with His right hand and say, 'I am the King: where are the kings of the earth?" '

Narrated by Abu Huraira

And in my own experience,

In one of my dreams it was said that the footprint of the Prophet Muhammad, may he be showered in peace, was sacramentally imprinted upon the Earth.

So let us use this day to pray for those on the earth and those buried within the earth.

And plant something beautiful on the earth that will bring benefit to yourself and others.

Alhamdulillah!

Fariha Fatima