The Importance of Being Still

09/06/19 • 34 min

Mindfulness in Islam (al-muraqabah) is a conscious state of comprehensive awareness of Allah and our inner states in relation to Him. In its complete form, it is the highest spiritual state attainable—the perfect realization of excellence in faith (al-ihsan). Modern science has demonstrated the efficacy of mindfulness exercises in procuring a number of health and wellness benefits, even in a non-religious context. These insights can be critically synthesised with Islam’s traditional concepts of meditation to produce practical contemporary techniques that cultivate Islamic mindfulness, enhance worship, and enrich our quality of life.

Abdullah ibn Amr reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said,

“By the One in whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, the parable of the believer is that of a piece of gold. Its owner blows upon it, yet it never changes or diminishes.

Source: Musnad Aḥmad 6833

To be like the rock that the waves keep crashing over. It stands, unmoved and the raging of the sea still around it.

— Marcus Aurelius, The Meditations

I have discovered that all the unhappiness of men arises from one single fact, that they cannot stay quietly in their own room.

— Blaise Pascal

Imam Al-Ghazali writes:
The heart is in the position of a mirror that is surrounded by influential matters and these traits proceed to the heart. As for praiseworthy traits that we have mentioned, they will polish the mirror of the heart and increase it in brilliance, light, and radiance until the clarity of truth shines from within it and the reality of the matter sought in religion is unveiled.

Abdullah ibn Amr reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said,

“By the One in whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, the parable of the believer is that of a piece of gold. Its owner blows upon it, yet it never changes or diminishes.

Source: Musnad Aḥmad 6833

To be like the rock that the waves keep crashing over. It stands, unmoved and the raging of the sea still around it.

— Marcus Aurelius, The Meditations

I have discovered that all the unhappiness of men arises from one single fact, that they cannot stay quietly in their own room.

— Blaise Pascal

Previous Episode

Muharram the Month of Allah

“Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred.. ”

(Surah At-Tawbah, Verse 36)

*The Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) is reported to have said:
“The year is twelve months of which four are sacred, the three consecutive months of Dhul-Qa’dah, Dhul-Hijjah and Muharram, and Rajab Mudar which comes between Jumadah and Sha’ban.” *

(Sahih Al Bukhari)

Next Episode

Break the Curse

وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمُ اتَّبِعُوا مَا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ قَالُوا بَلْ نَتَّبِعُ مَا أَلْفَيْنَا عَلَيْهِ آبَاءَنَا ۗ أَوَلَوْ كَانَ آبَاؤُهُمْ لَا يَعْقِلُونَ شَيْئًا وَلَا يَهْتَدُونَ

And when it is said to them, "Follow what Allah has revealed," they say, "Rather, we will follow that which we found our fathers doing." Even though their fathers understood nothing, nor were they guided? (2:170)