They were all shapes and sizes and there was no such thing as an imperfection in anyone of these beautiful creations. Will they not then give thanks?” (v33-35)īut for the mercy and blessings that Allah has shown us (and the vegetables?), these vegetables would not be in front of us.

I was reminded of the lines in Surah Yasin “…they have a sign in the lifeless earth…so that they may eat of the fruit from it, though it was not their hands that made it. Gradually I found myself in awe of Allah as I admired these vegetables. I was reminded of verses in the Quran urging us to look at all the signs around us and how I would immediately imagine the ‘big impact stuff’ like trees, rivers, sky, birds – but here we were washing salad leaves and baby chillies and it was an opportunity to do the same.Įverything is a sign, I have to learn to take the time, and I pray for the knowledge required, to see it wherever I am – on the tube, a windowless office… The opportunity to do this was the gift that Aicha gave us and at first it took some concentration and we worked in silence. We were told to take our time, see each and every vegetable as a reflection of the whole, and as an opportunity to remember Allah through his creation. When given the job of washing vegetables, the direction Aicha gave us for this took me completely by surprise. When we were taken to the Maidaan to help Aicha with the preparation of the meal, I was all geared up to roll up my sleeves and work fast and hard at chopping, stirring, brushing, mopping etc. The kitchen is an important spiritual training ground in the Mevlevi tradition. We are pleased to share a reflection by Siema following a visit to a Mevlevi kitchen in Turkey. How should bread give strength until it is broken? When the one diminishes, the other increases. When the blossom falls, you can see the fruit. The fruit is the reality, the blossom its form-īlossoms are the good news, fruit is the joy that comes.

Yasin surah full rumi