An absolute must see

I was on my way home one day when I noticed a brightly lit “star”, the planet Jupiter (المشتري), in the sky. As some of you may know, Jupiter is the largest known planet in our solar system, a rainbow coloured planet with a big red spot…

Indeed, you can see it with the human eye, no telescope needed, but as mentioned, it will appear as a strongly lit star in the sky and will also easily be mistaken as such, if you are unaware of what you are seeing.

In any case, seeing Jupiter at that point made made me reflect on the distance to it and that it can shine so brightly for us to see it so clearly. With our current technology, (a space shuttle travels at roughly 28,000 km/hr (17,500 miles per hour)), it would take 6 years for us to reach it. Indeed, 6 years travelling through space at that speed. It’s a large planet. It made me reflect on the size of the sun as well, which I’m sure you all know is really big in comparison. Mashallah.

But here’s the thing… while our sun is big in comparison to us… it is small in comparison to other stars out there. I was reminded of a video that I saw on Youtube… “The biggest star known to man”. Our sun being compared to the largest star we know. It’s awe inspiring, I decided to share it here. This is an absolute must see. Take a look… and be amazed…

(You can find this video also on Youtube.)

Truly mind blowing, isn’t it? Imagine then that there are things so small we need advanced microscopes to see them. Imagine that… in comparison to what you have just seen here. Mashallah.

What is even more mind blowing is when we put in our minds the Creator of all this… and the power He holds…

سورة البقرة ٢٥٥
وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ ۖ وَلَا يَئُودُهُ حِفْظُهُمَا ۚ وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ

سورة يونس ٦- ٥
هُوَ الَّذِي جَعَلَ الشَّمْسَ ضِيَاءً وَالْقَمَرَ نُورًا وَقَدَّرَهُ مَنَازِلَ لِتَعْلَمُوا عَدَدَ السِّنِينَ وَالْحِسَابَ ۚ مَا خَلَقَ اللَّهُ ذَ‌ٰلِكَ إِلَّا بِالْحَقِّ ۚ يُفَصِّلُ الْآيَاتِ لِقَوْمٍ يَعْلَمُونَ
إِنَّ فِي اخْتِلَافِ اللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ وَمَا خَلَقَ اللَّهُ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ لَآيَاتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَّقُونَ

Surah Al-Baqara 2:255
His Throne doth extend over the heavens and the earth, and He feeleth no fatigue in guarding and preserving them for He is the Most High, the Supreme (in glory).

Surah Yunus 10:5-6
It is He Who made the sun to be a shining glory and the moon to be a light (of beauty), and measured out stages for her; that ye might know the number of years and the count (of time). Nowise did Allah create this but in truth and righteousness. (Thus) doth He explain His Signs in detail, for those who understand.
Verily, in the alternation of the night and the day, and in all that Allah hath created, in the heavens and the earth, are signs for those who fear Him.

It made me consider what is repeatedly stated in the Quran… “the Most Gracious, Most Merciful.” If it was possible to visualize His mercy and kindness… perhaps it could be seen through the size of this massive star… the kindness we express ourselves would equal that of the smallest thing in comparison.

سورة ابراهيم ٣٤-٣٣
وَسَخَّرَ لَكُمُ الشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ دَائِبَيْنِ ۖ وَسَخَّرَ لَكُمُ اللَّيْلَ وَالنَّهَارَ
وَآتَاكُم مِّن كُلِّ مَا سَأَلْتُمُوهُ ۚ وَإِن تَعُدُّوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ لَا تُحْصُوهَا ۗ إِنَّ الْإِنسَانَ لَظَلُومٌ كَفَّارٌ

سورة الزمر ٥٤-٥٣
قُلْ يَا عِبَادِيَ الَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا عَلَىٰ أَنفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا مِن رَّحْمَةِ اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ
وَأَنِيبُوا إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُمْ وَأَسْلِمُوا لَهُ مِن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَكُمُ الْعَذَابُ ثُمَّ لَا تُنصَرُونَ

Surah Ibrahim 14:33-34
And He hath made subject to you the sun and the moon, both diligently pursuing their courses; and the night and the day hath he (also) made subject to you.
And He giveth you of all that ye ask for. But if ye count the favours of Allah, never will ye be able to number them. Verily, man is given up to injustice and ingratitude.

Surah Az-Zumar 39:53-54
Say: “O my Servants who have transgressed against their souls! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah: for Allah forgives all sins: for He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
“Turn ye to our Lord (in repentance) and bow to His (Will), before the Penalty comes on you: after that ye shall not be helped.

Take the time to reflect on this. No matter what troubles you may face in your life, it is but trivial in comparison to the size of His power and the help and kindness He gives to you. We often forget that. Don’t take life for granted. Take the time to appreciate and enjoy the nature around you… and remind yourself that you are part of something larger. And every time you look up at the stars… remember the One who created it all.

سورة الحجر ١٦
وَلَقَدْ جَعَلْنَا فِي السَّمَاءِ بُرُوجًا وَزَيَّنَّاهَا لِلنَّاظِرِينَ

Surah Al-Hijr 15:16
It is We Who have set out the zodiacal signs in the heavens, and made them fair-seeming to (all) beholders;

I hope you found this an interesting input and that it has brought something to consider.

The best of times to you all inshallah.
Peace, happiness, and stay faithful.