Ramadan 2025 Day Twenty Two: DEI-vine

"Have you [Prophet] not seen how God sends water down from the sky,
and that We produce with it fruits of varied colors;
that there are in the mountains layers of white and red of various hues, and jet black;
that there are various colors among human beings, wild animals, and livestock too?
It is those of God’s servants who have knowledge who stand in true awe of God.
God is almighty, most forgiving.”
-Sura Fatir

What does it mean to “have knowledge” of God? Particularly when that knowledge is tied to the many colors of nature, of flora and fauna, of rocks? 

Is it enough to claim “this diversity is because of God,” and leave it there?

Do we need to go further and say “this diversity reflects the range of God’s power?”

Do we need to take it a slightly different direction and name that “this diversity is intended by God?” 

Do we need to name all of the above and embrace that “this diversity is loved by God?”

Whatever of those (or other) implications we may draw, they are incomplete if they do not also include the latter part of that sentence - ”… who stand in awe of God.” 

Because having the knowledge of what life has been created in all of its diversity and varieties, and whether it is intentional or loved, means nothing if we do not embody that knowledge. 

If the variety of fruits is because of God, how does that shape how you/we thank them?

If the many hues of the mountain reflect the range of God’s power, how does that shape how you/we honor them?

If the various colors among humans, animals, and livestock is intended by God, how does that shape how you/we sustain them?

If the mosaic of Creation is loved by God, how does that shape how you/we love…all of it? 

And if we sometimes fall short of what that knowledge calls on us to do/be, how do we start again, knowing that there is always the grace to return to a place of awe?