In the Name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

The Elephants Knew

[6:38] All the creatures on earth, and all the birds that fly with wings, are communities like you. We did not leave anything out of this book. To their Lord, all these creatures will be summoned.

[22:18] Do you not realize that to God prostrates everyone in the heavens and the earth, and the sun, and the moon, and the stars, and the mountains, and the trees, and the animals, and many people? Many others among the people are committed to doom. Whomever God shames, none will honor him. Everything is in accordance with God's will.

[17:44] Glorifying Him are the seven universes, the earth, and everyone in them. There is nothing that does not glorify Him, but you do not understand their glorification. He is Clement, Forgiver.

[24:41] Do you not realize that everyone in the heavens and the earth glorifies God, even the birds as they fly in a column? Each knows its prayer and its glorification. God is fully aware of everything they do.

Some will say there is no God, try and tell that to the elephants.....

THE ELEPHANTS' JOURNEY TO PAY RESPECT... BUT HOW DID THEY KNOW?

Lawrence Anthony, a legend in South Africa and author of 3 books including the bestseller, The Elephant Whisperer. He bravely rescued wildlife and rehabilitated elephants all over the globe from human atrocities, including the courageous rescue of Baghdad Zoo animals during US invasion in 2003.

On March 7, 2012 Lawrence Anthony died. He is remembered and missed by his wife, 2 sons, 2 grandsons, and numerous elephants. Two days after his passing, the wild elephants showed up at his home led by two large matriarchs. Separate wild herds arrived in droves to say goodbye to their beloved 'man-friend'. A total of 31 elephants had patiently walked over 12 miles to get to his South African House.

Witnessing this spectacle, humans were obviously in awe not only because of the supreme intelligence and precise timing that these elephants sensed about Lawrence's passing, but also because of the profound memory and emotion the beloved animals evoked in such an organized way: Walking slowly, for days, making their way in a solemn one-by-one queue from their habitat to his house. Lawrence's wife, Francoise, was especially touched, knowing that the elephants had not been to his house prior to that day for a year and half! But yet they knew where they were going. The elephants obviously wanted to pay their deep respects, honoring their friend who'd saved their lives - so much respect that they stayed for 2 days 2 nights without eating anything. Then one morning, they left, making their long journey back home.

SOMETHING IN THE UNIVERSE IS GREATER AND DEEPER THAN HUMAN INTELLIGENCE.

This beautiful story calls for these beautiful reminders from Quran:

[16:68] And your Lord inspired the bee: build homes in mountains and trees, and in (the hives) they build for you.
[16:69] Then eat from all the fruits, following the design of your Lord, precisely. From their bellies comes a drink of different colors, wherein there is healing for the people. This should be (sufficient) proof for people who reflect.

[26:141] Thamoud disbelieved the messengers.
[26:142] Their brother Sãleh said to them, "Would you not be righteous?
[26:143] "I am an honest messenger to you.
[26:144] "You shall reverence God, and obey me.
[26:145] "I do not ask you for any wage; my wage comes only from the Lord of the universe.
[26:146] "Do you suppose you will be left forever, secure in this state?
[26:147] "You enjoy gardens and springs.
[26:148] "And crops and date palms with delicious fruits.
[26:149] "You carve out of the mountains luxurious mansions.
[26:150] "You shall reverence God, and obey me.
[26:151] "Do not obey the transgressors.
[26:152] "Who commit evil, not good works."
[26:153] They said, "You are bewitched.
[26:154] "You are no more than a human like us. Produce a miracle, if you are truthful."
[26:155] He said, "Here is a camel that will drink only on a day that is assigned to her; a day that is different from your specified days of drinking.
[26:156] "Do not touch her with any harm, lest you incur retribution on an awesome day."
[26:157] They slaughtered her, and thus incurred sorrow.
[26:158] The retribution overwhelmed them. This should be a lesson, but most people are not believers.
[26:159] Most assuredly, your Lord is the Almighty, Most Merciful.

[27:16] Solomon was David's heir. He said, "O people, we have been endowed with understanding the language of the birds, and all kinds of things have been bestowed upon us. This is indeed a real blessing."
[27:17] Mobilized in the service of Solomon were his obedient soldiers of jinns and humans, as well as the birds; all at his disposal.
[27:18] When they approached the valley of the ants, one ant said, "O you ants, go into your homes, lest you get crushed by Solomon and his soldiers, without perceiving.
[27:19] He smiled and laughed at her statement, and said, "My Lord, direct me to be appreciative of the blessings You have bestowed upon me and my parents, and to do the righteous works that please You. Admit me by Your mercy into the company of Your righteous servants."

Quran is God’s worded testimony for humanity that there is no god but Him. Those who study Quran have no choice but to make a legitimate and purposeful use of their hearts, eyes and ears, to recognize and witness God’s signs all around them and within themselves; the birds' journeys in the sky and the overwhelming intelligence behind them- days and nights- Sunsets and Sunrises- the bright moon and the stars- the mountains, the trees and the flowers of all colors- the blue skies- the miracles of life, birth and death- the constant creation and the repetition of creation- the food we eat- the water we drink- all these signs and much more resonate His testimony: there is no god but Him alone.. One must have a heart of stone for not glorifying Him day and night.

[3:18] God bears witness that there is no god except He, and so do the angels and those who possess knowledge. Truthfully and equitably, He is the absolute god; there is no god but He, the Almighty, Most Wise.

[3:190] In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day, there are signs for those who possess intelligence.
[3:191] They remember God while standing, sitting, and on their sides, and they reflect upon the creation of the heavens and the earth: "Our Lord, You did not create all this in vain. Be You glorified. Save us from the retribution of Hell.
[3:192] "Our Lord, whomever You commit to Hell are the ones You have forsaken. Such transgressors have no helpers.
[3:193] "Our Lord, we have heard a caller calling to faith and proclaiming: `You shall believe in your Lord,' and we have believed. Our Lord, forgive us our transgressions, remit our sins, and let us die as righteous believers.
[3:194] "Our Lord, shower us with the blessings you promised us through Your messengers, and do not forsake us on the Day of Resurrection. You never break a promise."
[3:195] Their Lord responded to them: "I never fail to reward any worker among you for any work you do, be you male or female - you are equal to one another. Thus, those who immigrate, and get evicted from their homes, and are persecuted because of Me, and fight and get killed, I will surely remit their sins and admit them into gardens with flowing streams." Such is the reward from God. God possesses the ultimate reward.

Those who choose to deny God's existence, insist on misreading His signs & ignoring His testimony and persist, of their own volition, in the darkness of disbelief, have also chosen their own eternal destiny.

[2:147] This is the truth from your Lord; do not harbor any doubt.
[2:148] Each of you chooses the direction to follow; you shall race towards righteousness. Wherever you may be, God will summon you all. God is Omnipotent.

[2:256] There shall be no compulsion in religion: the right way is now distinct from the wrong way. Anyone who denounces the devil and believes in God has grasped the strongest bond; one that never breaks. God is Hearer, Omniscient.

[19:75] Say, "Those who choose to go astray, the Most Gracious will lead them on, until they see what is promised for them - either the retribution or the Hour. That is when they find out who really is worse off, and weaker in power."
[19:76] God augments the guidance of those who choose to be guided. For the good deeds are eternally rewarded by your Lord, and bring far better returns.

[10:99] Had your Lord willed, all the people on earth would have believed. Do you want to force the people to become believers?
[10:100] No soul can believe except in accordance with God's will. For He places a curse upon those who refuse to understand.
[10:101] Say, "Look at all the signs in the heavens and the earth." All the proofs and all the warnings can never help people who decided to disbelieve.
[10:102] Can they expect other than the fate of their counterparts in the past? Say, "Just wait, and, along with you, I am also waiting."
[10:103] We ultimately save our messengers and those who believe. It is our immutable law that we save the believers.

Peaceful Friday salaam and God bless.