A Single Grape

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

A new Muslim and an old convert sat in the kitchen during the middle of Ramadhan, across the stone table.  The hour was late.  The swalah at-tarawih was done, and the spiritual exercises were finished.  At least until the last third of the night. 

The older man said to the younger, “Open the fridge and take out a single grape.”  “Now, tie a string to the grape and let it hang.  Recite something.” 

“Recite what?” 

“Anything.  Try ‘Laa ilaha illa Allah.’” 

And so he did.  And the grape on the string started to move.  Slowly at first, and then faster.  An elliptical movement.  But the hand was still. 

“Say ‘Allahu, Allahu, Allahu Haqq.’” 

And he recited the litany.  And he felt a stronger vibration.  And the ellipse was unbalanced.  As if the grape was drawn like a magnet draws iron in a particular direction. 

“Do you notice the movement?  Which direction is that?” 

The younger man looked intently, and thought a bit.  He was perplexed for a moment.  “It is the qiblah!” 

“Correct.  Remember!  Everything acknowledges His Power.  Everything is alive and bows to His Will.” 

سُوۡرَةُ الرّعد

وَلِلَّهِ يَسۡجُدُ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ طَوۡعً۬ا وَكَرۡهً۬ا وَظِلَـٰلُهُم بِٱلۡغُدُوِّ وَٱلۡأَصَالِ ۩ (١٥) 

Whatever beings there are in the Heavens and the Earth do prostrate themselves to Allah (acknowledging subjection) - with good - will or in spite of themselves: so do their shadows in the mornings and evenings. (Surah ar-Ra’ad:15) 

All Creation swims in the Oceans of His Power.  His Rahmah extends everywhere beneath the ‘Arsh.  And for those who have yaqin, they have only to look with the eyes of the qalb, and they will see that Allah (s.w.t.) is Present.  He is Immanent and yet Transcendent.