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Robin Wall Kimmerer, a biologist and member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, shares a profound observation about the Potawatomi language—it attributes life and action to all aspects of the natural world.

In their language, a hill is not a static “thing” but an active being: "to be a hill."

This “grammar of animacy” recognizes the aliveness of everything around us.

Contrast this with English, where nonhuman life is often reduced to inanimate objects—a tree is an “it,” and a rock is “mere matter.”

The result?

A disconnection that diminishes our respect for the life and processes around us.

Robin Wall Kimmerer beautifully captures the idea of animacy in the natural world:

"A bay is a noun only if water is dead. When bay is a noun, it is defined by humans, trapped between its shores and contained by the word.

But the verb wiikwegamaa—to be a bay—releases the water from its bondage and lets it live."

This perspective invites us to see the world differently. In a language where everything is alive—where hills are “hilling,” water is “baying,” and even days are in motion—the natural world is not static or inert but vibrantly alive, constantly moving, and deeply interconnected.

To be a bay means the water, at this moment, chooses to pause between shores, sheltering life and conversing with the cedar roots and birds.

Tomorrow, it might choose otherwise—becoming a stream, an ocean, or a waterfall, because the world is in perpetual motion.

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and the Living World

Long before the Prophet (ﷺ) received revelation, he began to experience the aliveness of the world around him. On his way to the cave of Hira, rocks and trees would greet him with Salaam.

After prophethood, the connection became even clearer:

• The mountain of Uhud vibrated with joy in his presence.

• A tree stump cried out when he no longer used it as a pulpit.

• Animals spoke to him about mistreatment and sought his help.

The Prophet (ﷺ) reminded us that the natural world is not separate from us. It is part of the ummah of creation, glorifying Allah in ways we may not fully comprehend.

Seeing the Unknown: The Aliveness of the World

Science supports this ancient wisdom. Trees, for example, communicate underground through fungal networks, warning each other of dangers and even sharing resources.

Rocks, though seemingly still, are constantly weathering and transforming, feeding the soil that nurtures life.

Even water, which seems passive, is constantly moving, shaping, and sustaining ecosystems.

This understanding challenges us to recognize the sacredness of creation. The more-than-human world is alive, connected, and full of unknowns.

Every interaction—a tree swaying, water carving a path, rocks eroding—is a form of life, glorifying Allah in its unique way.

Our Role as Vicegerents of Earth
As Muslims, we are entrusted with the care of this living Earth. Allah appointed us as vicegerents, a responsibility that requires humility, awareness, and action.

The Prophet (ﷺ) exemplified this stewardship:

• He emphasized the immense reward in planting trees, saying:

  
  “There is none amongst the Muslims who plants a tree or sows seeds, and then a bird, or a person or an animal eats from it, but is regarded as a charitable gift for him.”
  – (Sahih al-Bukhari 2320)

• He warned against wastefulness, even in acts of worship like wudu (ablution), demonstrating a deep awareness of preserving resources.

The Call to Reconnect
How can we honor this sacred trust and reconnect with the aliveness of creation?

• Spend Time in Nature: Reflect on the interconnectedness of all things. Observe a tree “treeing” or a stream “streaming.”

• Practice Gratitude: Recognize the blessings in every part of creation, from the food you eat to the air you breathe.

• Live Intentionally: Reduce waste, protect ecosystems, and approach nature with humility and care.

The next time you walk outside, imagine the hills, rocks, and trees glorifying Allah in their unique ways.

Take a moment to listen, see their aliveness, and feel your place in this extraordinary world.