Reindeer Measuring The Nutritional Values of Plants

Reindeer are always on the move. The reason that they are traveling so much is that they search for food. The primary food source of reindeer is lichens, which are easy to digest. However lichens grow slowly. The winter range of reindeer are generally easy to reach where lichens are abundant and snow is less. They go to such places in winter. In summer reindeer need to be fed with protein and minerals to produce milk in order to feed their calves  with milk. Lichens do not have these proteins. The attributes of nutrients differ according to latitude, height and land characteristics. Plants in higher latitudes are rich in both protein and minerals and they are easily digestible. However this is not valid for every season. Plants possess these qualities only in the beginning of the summer season. Reindeer go to these fields with the beginning of summer as if they know all these things.

As summer passes,  the nutritional value of these plants begins to decrease. When the temperature falls  and the area begins to be covered with snow, the best food is again lichens and therefore a migration back to their winter grounds takes place. These beings could not possibly think like a botanist or a geographer and know the answers to questions like, “Which plant grows in which latitude and when?”, “What is this plant composed of?”, “What kind of nutrient sources does it contain?” and “Which direction do  we need to go to reach that region?”. Yet these beings carry out the behaviors they need to maintain their lives with no mistake. This situation openly proves that their behaviors are inspired to them.

Almighty Allah is the One Who protects His creations with His infinite mercy. Allah inspires the movements of reindeer  as well as creating their bodies in complete conformity with the living conditions of their surroundings. These beings maintain their lives with the inspiration of Almighty Allah, and they are but one of the evidences of Allah’s infinite might:

“The Originator of the heavens and earth. When He decides on something, He just says to it, ‘BE!’ and it is.” (Surat al-Baqara, 117)