REFLECTIONS ON Ships Sailing in the Sea

And the ships which sail through the sea with that which benefits people…are signs for a people who use reason. (2:164)

Praise be to Allah and Glorified be the King, the Holy. Lord of the angels and the Spirit. Holy is your name. Blessed is Your Name, and Exalted is Your Majesty. There is no god but You.

I was looking at the sea from my hotel room in Cox’s Bazar, and I noticed a boat sailing through it. And the verses of Allah came to my mind.

Before I share them, lets start by praising Allah, blessed and exalted.

In regards to the ship, beloved ones, Allah says:

وَالْفُلْكِ الَّتِي تَجْرِي فِي الْبَحْرِ بِمَا يَنفَعُ النَّاسَ … لَآيَاتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ
And the ships which sail through the sea with that which benefits people…are signs for a people who use reason. (2:164)

Think of the ships… sailing in the vast ocean. Just like that the human being finds himself in the journey of life across this vast world.

يَا عِبَادِيَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنَّ أَرْضِي وَاسِعَةٌ فَإِيَّايَ فَاعْبُدُونِ
O My slaves who have believed, indeed My earth is vast, so worship only Me. (29:56)

The ship is a vessel of life, carrying man inside. Just like that, our bodies are vessels carrying the soul,

وَيَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الرُّوحِ ۖ قُلِ الرُّوحُ مِنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّي وَمَا أُوتِيتُم مِّنَ الْعِلْمِ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا
And they ask you, [O Muhammad], about the soul. Say, “The soul is of the affair of my Lord. And mankind have not been given of knowledge except a little.” (17:85)

Through centuries, man would traverse the oceans using the stars to guide him in direction.

وَبِالنَّجْمِ هُمْ يَهْتَدُونَ
And by the stars they are guided. (16:16)

Just like that Allah taAla has sent Messengers and books to guide people in their journey of life.

إِنَّ هَٰذَا الْقُرْآنَ يَهْدِي لِلَّتِي هِيَ أَقْوَمُ
Surely this Qur'an guides to that which is more upright. (17:85)

So whoever takes the guidance and is guided by the guidance is saved, and he will reach his destination, which is paradise.

As the ships sail, Allah has made the water to support it to stay afloat. Similarly Allah has provided man support to lead his life, emotional support, financial support, social support and many other supports. Allah says:

وَلَا تُؤْتُوا السُّفَهَاءَ أَمْوَالَكُمُ الَّتِي جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ قِيَامًا وَارْزُقُوهُمْ فِيهَا وَاكْسُوهُمْ وَقُولُوا لَهُمْ قَوْلًا مَّعْرُوفًا
And do not give the weak-minded your property, which Allah has made for keeping you up ( as a means of support) , but provide for them with it and clothe them and speak to them words of kindness. (4:5)

As ships sail they sometimes meet storms and turbulent waves.

وَإِذَا غَشِيَهُم مَّوْجٌ كَالظُّلَلِ دَعَوُا اللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ
And when waves envelop them like shades (shadows), they supplicate Allah , sincere to Him in religion. (31:32)

Similarly life will not always be a bed of roses. Allah ta'Ala will test His slaves.

وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَيْءٍ مِّنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَنفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ
And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, and give good tidings to the patient. (2:155)

These are some reflections on the ships Peace be upon you. And peace be upon the Messengers. And praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds.