O Lord of all flowers, all plants, the earth and the skies, and the worlds…

I was once a lifeless seed from your creation; you gave me life. You accepted my prayers and made me a flower. You shaped me as you wished, adorned my face with colors and patterns.

You bestowed upon me a fragrance that enchants those who smell it, and made me beautiful in the eyes of others. With the allure you granted me, I called birds and insects to me… They couldn’t resist and rushed over.

To them, I offered drinks from your fountains of mercy, with your permission. We laughed together, embraced each other, and gave thanks to you hand in hand, day after day, meeting many birds and insects…

I had joyful moments with all of them. Finally, one day a servant of yours passed by me… He noticed me, stopped, turned back, and leaned down. He looked at my face long and deep, then caressed and smelled me…

“What a beautiful creation!” he said quietly. At that moment, I understood why I existed. Angels surrounded us instantly, watching with admiration. They witnessed a human’s ascendance, believing in the unseen God.

And they recorded everything in the finest detail… I was also in the captured images.

O my Lord who answers prayers, I was a lifeless seed… You accepted my prayers and made me a beautiful flower. I came to life with your power, adorned with your artistry, and bloomed with your grace…

Now, I have one more prayer left, which I have kept for the Day of Judgment:

“O my Lord, please save and bless those eyes who saw Your attributes on me for eternity!”

Originally published in Turkish by Ümit Şimşek “Bir çiçeğin duası”

Brief comment:

A few Attributes of God (asma ul-husna) as displayed and witnessed by the flower that came to my mind:

Al-Khaliq – The Creator
Al-Hayy – The Giver of Life
Al-Musawwir – The Shaper
Al-Muzayyin – The Adorner
Al-Sani – The Artist
Al-Jameel – The Most Beautiful One

Al-Subhan – The Most Holy and full of Glory who does not allow for any imperfection, deficiency or flaw

Al-‘Adl – The Just and Most Orderly One who creates and fine-tunes according to perfect measure, arrangement, precision, balance and coordination

Al-Quddus – The Most Pure who loves material and spiritual cleanliness, purity and hygiene and does not allow for any filth or ugliness

Al-Mujib – The One who Answers to the needs of the flower and all beings
Al-Razzaq – The Provider who sustains the flower with water, sunlight, soil, minerals…
Al-Kareem – The Most Generous One who allows us to see beauty
Al-Latif – The Most Gentle One
Al-Hafidh – The Protector of Seeds who preservers everything and wastes nothing

Al-Baqi – The One who imprints eternal undying images and memories of the flower in the human mind and heart
Al-Mumit – The One who causes Death

Al-Muhyi – The One who Resurrects and Recreates constantly especially at the Great Ultimate Resurrection and thus destines lives for Immortality and Eternity