Page 96 - Magnificence Everywhere

THE SKILLS OF FLYING SQUIRRELS
Allah introduces Himself through the creatures that have the special features He
creates. The details people learn about the creatures they are familiar with increase
their amazement. Also, the knowledge they gain about unfamiliar creatures enables
them to raise the curtain of heedlessness existing in their minds. Even reflecting
upon these features is a way of seeing the perfect creation in each of them and ap-
preciating the endless might of Allah.
Flying squirrels, as well, are one of the millions of creatures bearing features that
can alter one's monotonous thinking habits. These squirrels are found in Australia
and they range in length from 45 cm to 90 cm (1.5 feet to 3 feet). All these creatures
that can fly from one tree to another like gliders live in the trees. In order to fly like
this, these creatures use a flight membrane present under their arms.
The gliding membrane of sugar-gliders stretches from their wrists to their an-
kles. It is narrow and has long, tassel-like hairs. In other kinds of flying squirrels,
this parachute-like structure occurs in the form of a membrane that consists of furry
skin. The animals fly off from the trunk of a tree and, with the effect of the wing-like
gliding surface, can cross a distance of 30 meters (98 feet) in one go. The bigger fly-
ing squirrels move from tree to tree like gliders. These creatures have been observed
traveling a distance of 530 meters (1,740 feet) in just six consecutive leaps. 34
As has been seen in other examples given in this book, flying squirrels have fea-
tures exclusive to themselves. When one ponders how the matchless characteristics
that millions of species on Earth possess have come into being, one will immedi-
ately understand that not even one of them can have come into existence through
random events and that a creature cannot acquire perfect features on its own or by
chance. Allah created all animals, plants and human beings in a complete way. This
is an obvious fact for those who ponder with wisdom and conscience.
Understanding this fact and conducting one's life accordingly is a behavior
which is beneficial to one's self because the duty of man in the world is to see the
Magnificence Everywhere Your god is Allah alone, there is no god but Him. He encompasses all
magnificent creation of Allah and to praise, before this creation, the endless power
and knowledge of Allah.

things in His knowledge. (Surah Ta Ha: 98)

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