When many astronauts go to space, they see the insignificant size

In the boundless expanse of the heavens, where the earth, small as a speck, drifts in the ocean of the universe, there lies a truth hidden deep within the souls of those who venture beyond its borders. The astronauts—brave men and women who rise above the familiar horizon—behold, with their own eyes, a sight so profound it shakes the very core of their being. They witness the immensity of the cosmos, the infinite stretch of stars, planets, and galaxies, and in that moment, their hearts awaken to the reality of their insignificance in the face of such grandeur. And in that vastness, they see something more—an unseen hand, guiding all things, and with it, they feel the stirrings of the divine. This is the great revelation that many have felt in the dark silence of space: they become religious, for in the void, they discover the presence of Allah, the One who created it all.

It is a humbling sight, one that no mortal can truly grasp until they have seen it with their own eyes. The earth, our home, appears as a fragile blue marble, a mere dot suspended in the black void. To those who rise above, it is not just a place of nations and borders, but a living testament to the greatness of the Creator. The grandeur of the heavens, the uncountable stars, and the vast emptiness that surrounds it all speak to something deeper, something eternal. The signs of Allah are not only found in the sacred texts or in the whispers of the wind, but in the very fabric of the universe itself. As the Quran reminds us, “And We have certainly created the heavens and the earth and everything between them in six days, and there was no weariness upon Us.” (Quran 50:38). The astronauts, upon seeing the heavens as they truly are, cannot deny the power of the Creator.

Cat Stevens, in his profound wisdom, captured this revelation when he spoke of how astronauts, upon reaching the heavens, are often overcome with a sense of awe and reverence. They are struck by the majesty of the universe, and in their hearts, they feel a stirring. This stirring is not a mere fleeting feeling, but a recognition of something eternal, a glimpse into the divine order that governs all things. It is as if they are standing on the threshold of the infinite, and in that moment, they see the hand of Allah in the stars, in the earth, in the great and eternal fabric of creation. They understand, perhaps for the first time, the smallness of humanity, and the greatness of the One who has created all things.

There is a story, ancient yet timeless, of the great explorer Yuri Gagarin, the first man to journey into space. As he looked out upon the earth from his spacecraft, he was overcome with a sense of awe. He spoke later of how, from space, there was no sign of a great divine being, no grand throne in the heavens. But, perhaps, in his humility, he missed the true sign. For in the very act of seeing the earth from afar, Gagarin experienced the realization that our lives, our world, and our existence are but fleeting moments in the grand design of creation. It is in the awe and wonder of the universe that one can truly perceive the signs of Allah. Gagarin, despite his disbelief, had seen what so few of us ever will: the endless heavens and the fragile earth below.

This same truth is spoken of in the Quran, in the verse: “And He it is who created the heavens and the earth in six days; His throne was upon the water, that He might try you, which of you is the best in deed” (Quran 11:7). Here, the Creator calls us to reflect upon the immensity of creation, to see that the heavens and the earth are but the smallest signs of His power and majesty. To those who can see beyond the surface, the world reveals its sacred nature—its deep meaning, its inherent beauty, and its connection to the divine.

The lesson that we must take to heart is this: humility in the face of the infinite, awe in the face of the Creator’s signs, and the recognition that we are but a fleeting moment in the grand unfolding of existence. Just as the astronauts were transformed by their journey, so too must we transform our hearts in our daily lives. We must look at the earth with reverence, recognizing the signs that speak of the greatness of Allah. In the morning sun, in the stars at night, in the wind that carries the scent of the earth, there is a call to recognize the presence of the divine. Let us live in awe of the signs around us, for they are a path to the One who made them.

And so, I implore you, O seekers of wisdom: do not wait for a journey to the stars to experience the divine. Look upon the earth, upon the sky, and behold the great signs of Allah that are woven into the very fabric of the universe. Be mindful in your every breath, for it is a sign. Be kind in your actions, for they reflect the beauty of the Creator. In every step, in every moment, remember that you are part of this great cosmic dance, and that the signs of Allah are ever-present, guiding you toward a deeper understanding of the divine. The universe, vast and boundless, is His canvas, and we, His humble creation, are but reflections of His boundless grace. Let us walk in that awareness, every day, in everything we do.