The skyscrapers line the roof of Cyberabad. The glass and concrete structures house some of the top IT companies. The wide and long fly-overs running crisscross carrying high-priced 4-wheelers are comparable to some of the best global cities. One look up and one is sure to feel proud of this progress, that has pushed real-estate prices phenomenally. No wonder Hyderabad has been one of the most enticing cities in India, mainly for young IT aspirants.
However, it may not be the same for the nature-loving Hyderabadis who have lived here loving the geological heritage of the Deccan plateau. They are witness to the typographical transformations in these parts of the city. Banjara Hills, Jubilee Hills, and Kondapur Gachibowli (meaning well lined by limestone) once used to be the rocky belts with huge rocky formations (Konda in Telugu means ‘Mountains or hills’). Over the years these natural formations got replaced by human-made structures.
A Rock or a formation of multiple rocks is an ecosystem in itself. Just like trees rocks too provide shelter and protection to several insects and small animals that reside either in the crevices, under and between the rocks. During my rock walks, I had the good fortune of sighting some rare reptiles and insects, and even porcupines, the spines of which I have saved up to date.
Our Earth has a rocky outer surface that protects the soil under them. Apart from being resting sites for some creatures and humans, rocks also prevent soil erosion. Rocks are a good source to study Earth’s history. They add a lot of aesthetic beauty to a place with their spectacular formations that can mesmerize not just artists and photographers, but even an ignorant human who has no knowledge of their significance.
The beauty of rock formations is inexplicable. The natural arrangement of the boulders, although look precarious to us, is strong beyond imagination. They have remained firm on the ground for centuries. Sometimes a big rock balances a small one and sometimes a small one balances a big one. SubhanAllah!!
Allah SWT talks of Hajr (rock) in many places in the Holy Quran.
“For indeed there are rocks from which rivers gush out, and indeed there are rocks which split asunder so that water floweth from them.” (2:74) Surah Al-Baqrah
In Surah Al A’raf (7:56), the verse “Do not cause mischief on earth” is a warning from Allah SWT. Any little act of humans that causes damage or imbalance to Allah’s creations is a sin in His view, and we are answerable to Him on the Day of Judgement.
Each time I pass through the burgeoning IT corridors of the city my nostalgia suddenly turns into sadness. As if oblivion to the typographic transformations, my teary eyes search for the gigantic architectural blessings of Al Khaliq (The Creator) that have become the target to limitless human greed. I did not have a camera then, but the images captured in my brain have remained fresh always. Each time I travel to these parts of the city, I return home with a deep sense of sadness mixed with anger. Each time I look at the porcupine spines picked up during my rock walks I smile with gratitude and say ‘Alhamdulillah!’ At least I have these!
Rocks are also Ayats (signs) of Allah SWT. Ponder and reflect upon these powerful signs whenever and wherever you see them! Feel them! admire them! They will remind you of Allah SWT’s attributes, Al Qawiyy (The Strong) and Al Jabbar (The Powerful).
