One famous hoopoe (Hudhud), from the world of birds, knew its Lord. Allah says of Sulayman (May peace be upon him):(He inspected the birds, and said: “What is the matter that I see not the hoopoe? Or is he among the absentees? ‘I will surely punish him with a severe torment, or slaughter him, unless he brings me a clear reason. ‘But the hoopoe stayed not long, he [came up and] said: ‘I have grasped [the knowledge of a thing] which you have not grasped and I have come to you from Saba ‘ [Sheba] with true news. [Found a woman ruling over them, and she has been given all things that could be possessed by any ruler of the earth, and she has a great throne. I found her and her people worshipping the sun instead of Allah, and Satan has made their deeds fair-seeming to them, and has barred them from [Allah’s] Way, so they have no guidance. ‘Al-La [this word has two interpretations] (a) [Satan has barred them from Allah Is Way] so that they do not worship [prostrate before] Allah, or (b) So that they may worship [prostrate before] Allah, Who brings to light what is hidden in the heavens and the earth, and knows what you conceal and what you reveal. Allah, none has the right to be worshipped but He, the Lord of the Supreme Throne! Sulayman said:’We shall see whether you speak the truth or you are [one] of the liars. Go you with this letter of mine, and deliver it to them, then draw back from them, and see what [answer] they return.) (Qur’an 27: 20-28)Al-Hudhud went and, later on, the Queen of Sheba embraced Islam. The reason was that this bird knew its Lord. Some scholars said, “Strange! Al-Hudhud was more intelligent than Al-Fir’aun. Fir’aun disbelieved when things were well, therefore a last-minute faith did not help him. Al-Hudhud, on the other hand, believed and had faith in its Lord when things were well, and that faith benefited him when matters became difficult.Al-Hudhud said:So that they may worship [prostrate before] Allah, Who brings to light what is hidden…) (Qur’an 27:25)Al-Fir’aun said:(‘I know not that you have a god other than me…) (Qur’an 28: 38)He is truly wretched who is less intelligent than Al-Hudhud and has less of an understanding than an ant!(They have hearts wherewith they understand not, they have eyes wherewith they see not, and they have ears wherewith they hear not [the truth].) (Qur’an 7: 179)The world of bees is full of wonders that remind us of Allah’s care. The tiny bee leaves its hive in order to seek out sustenance. It lands on a good and pure surface and sucks out nectar. It then returns with a liquid that provides remedy for people, always returning to its own hive without losing its way.(And your Lord inspired the bee, saying: ‘Take you habitations in the mountains and in the trees and in what they erect. Then, eat of all fruits, and follow the ways of your Lord made easy [for you]. ‘There comes forth from their bellies, a drink of varying color wherein is healing for men. Verily, in this is indeed a sign for people who think.) (Qur’an I6: 68-69)When you read these stories, you should realize that there is a hidden care and protection from Allah and that you should supplicate and pray to Him Alone for all of your needs. You should realize that everyone else in this universe is weak and helpless; they also need to worship Allah, to ask Him for sustenance, for health, and for happiness, because He owns everything.(O’ mankind! It is you who stand in need of Allah, but Allah is Rich [Free of all wants and needs], Worthy of alI praise.) (Qur’an 35: 15)You must have an unshakeable faith in Allah, and you should know that all of your supplications and hopes have to be directed to Him and not to weak, helpless humans. When you truly appreciate your Lord’s favors, you will feel the need that the transient being has for the Everlasting, the dependence of the poor upon the One who is All-Rich, and the protection sought by the weak in the One who is All-Powerful. True power, wealth, and everlastingness all belong to Allah Alone.lf you know all of these things, you must apply your knowledge and worship Allah sincerely. If you seek forgiveness from Him, He will forgive you. if you ask Him, He will give you. lf you ask Him for help, He will help you. And if you are thankful to Him, He will increase His favors upon you.
