Meditation For Muslims

Meditation For Muslims 

Most people say they want to have a deeper, spiritual connection with Allah (SWT), but they don't really know how or it seems to be too far out of reach. Activities, like yoga and meditation, have a really great effect on our mental wellbeing and health aiding in improving and maintaining it. Most people aim to implement it in their lives but can't seem to be able to build any consistency. Especially with the busyness of the modern world, the constant hustle and bustle of life, all the noise, distractions and information overload. Our senses are constantly overstimulated, to the point where the mere thought of a moment of silence seems absurd. Not only has it become increasingly difficult to maintain and uphold our already existing responsibilities, let alone inculcate new habits, but also this continuous agitation hinders us from getting the most out of each moment of life. 

Some may even question if yoga and meditation are really inline with Islamic principles, or if there is something specific, that provides the same outcome as mediation, already present in Islam. 

The good news is that Muslims have some of the best practices within Islam that are contemplative and meditative, proven to not only be extremely effective but also very easy to implement in our day to day lives. 

If we attempt to segment the act of meditation that is suitable for muslims, we can categorize it into 3 Rs:

• Retreat

• Reflect

• Remember 

When we think of the word “retreat”, the first thing that comes to mind is the practice of I’tikaf (spiritual retreat). This is when in the last 10 days of the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims voluntarily restrict themselves in the walls of the mosque and perform endless prayers. Not only is this done as a sign of repentance for any and all sins we are guilty of and being content in worldly comforts, but they also utilize this as a chance to experience a spiritual retreat. 

However, this doesn’t seem like a very habitual activity, as not every month is the month of Ramadan and not everyone can completely isolate themselves in a mosque for at least 10 days. In such cases, having a designated prayer space in our homes would provide us the perfect place to sit back and reconnect with Allah (SWT) whenever we need to switch off our busy routines and take a breather. As prayer demands concentration and privacy, a designated prayer space in our homes would provide just that! The perfect place that supplies solitude allowing you to experience a spiritual retreat at a small scale. 

To learn more about designated prayer corners and all the elements necessary to build the perfect one custom to your needs, visit our blogs: Transform Your Home, Transform Your Prayer

What Does One Do In A Spiritual Retreat?

Especially for first timers, it can be a bit confusing on what exactly one must do in a spiritual retreat. But this is exactly when the other 2 RS come into play, Reflect and Remember. 

The word “Remembrance” is used to insinuate the duty of the constant remembrance of Allah (SWT). Dhikr, or remembrance, is a term that encompasses a wide range of practices in Islam. Linguistically, it means to remember, mention, or invoke. In the Islamic context, it refers to the remembrance of Allah through specific phrases, prayers, or reflections. Dhikr can be performed verbally, mentally, or even physically, as seen in the act of Salah (prayer), which is itself a form of Dhikr. 

Additionally, any physical act of worship can be done in a spiritual retreat, whether that be Salah, dhikr, reciting the Quran, etc. The amount of practises that can be done to remember Allah (SWT) are limitless. 

Similarly, another Islamic concept used to show the remembrance of Allah (SWT) is Muraqabaah. Muraqabah in Islam means being constantly aware and certain that God is always watching over both your actions and thoughts, inside and out. As establishing the consciousness of the existence of Allah acts like a mental form of worship as the constant remembrance of Allah(SWT) protects us from committing actions that would displease him. 

Even prior to his prophethood, whenever the Prophet (PBUH) would be stressed with his surroundings, the constant idol worship and the immorality of the ones around him, he would retreat to meditate in Cave Hira to experience moments of clarity, silence, peace, and regulate his thoughts to maintain his mental wellbeing. Coincidentally, it was one of these moments when the prophethood was bestowed upon him. 

The act of Dhikr and Muraqabah not only allows a believer to remember Allah (SWT), but it also is the perfect way for us to practice reflection. If we sense ourselves absentmindedly distancing from Deen, this is the perfect way for us to correct our actions and strengthen our Iman. 

The best example of an individual with great moral grounding and self sufficiency for all mankind is The Holy Prophet. He too took part in I'tikaf and other forms of spiritual retreats to reset his ideologies, theologies, relation with the lord, guidance from the lord,etc. He treated it as a vacation with the lord. Following his footsteps, not only restricted to Muslims, but all mankind can take inspiration from The Prophet and take part in an internal and religious retreat.

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