Lessons from the Geese

All the creatures on earth, and all the birds that fly with wings, are communities like you. We did not leave anything out of this book. To their Lord, all these creatures will be summoned (6:38).

The Geese Community: Gregarious Living

Indeed, there are many lessons we can learn from the many communities of birds. The geese are one example of such a community inspired by our Lord in which we can reflect upon. They are a species of waterfowl closely related to swans and ducks. However, they are usually intermediate in size between swans and ducks and differ from their relatives in feeding habits.

Among their species, geese tend to vary greatly in sizes and colourings. All however, have short legs, webbed feet and rather short straight bills. They have a layer of down and are covered with dense plumage as are all waterfowl (see Quran on “distinct people and tribes” in 49:13). God be glorified.

Geese are highly gregarious at all times other than when nesting, and a few of them, such as the blue and snow geese, even form massive nesting colonies. Such flocks are usually made up of thousands of individual family units that remain fairly well intact within the flock. Apparently, family members can recognize each other without difficulty. Now, if we look closely at their peaceful community, they clearly do possess such Quranic characteristic as the believers are members of one family; you shall keep the peace within your family and reverence GOD, that you may attain mercy (49:10). And lower your wing for the believers who follow you (26:215). God be glorified.

The keen eyesight and hearing sense of birds have long been useful to mankind (see 27:15-31). Do you know that the ancient Egyptians, Romans and Greeks kept captive geese as a source of food and as sentries, that could be relied on to raise the alarm when disturbed? And in the wild, the whole large flock can respond instantly to the warning calls of just a few sentries among them;

and they will be airborne in a matter of seconds! Such is their wariness. Their superb sense of ever readiness and know-how in response to the call of mobilization is truly inspiring. Let us recall these Quranic motivations: O you who believe, you shall remain alert, and mobilize as individuals, or mobilize all together (4:71). You shall prepare for them all the power you can muster, and all the equipment you can mobilize....(8:60). God be glorified.

Do they not see the birds committed to fly in the atmosphere of the sky? None holds them up in the air except GOD. This should be proof for people who believe (16:79).

Geese: Migration for the right cause and time

Since nearly all geese are found in the north temperate and Arctic zones, they have been inspired by God to leave their homes before winter and emigrate to warmer places for their survival. This is why we are able to see many flocks of geese heading south always for the winter!

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