Do Muslims Meditate?


15 June, 2020


QDo Muslims Meditate?


ANSWER

Dr. Shabir Ally


15 June, 2020


Short Answer:

One form of the remembrance of God  that is particularly suitable  for meditation is the recitation of the Quran itself  and thinking about the Quran.  The Quran invites us to do that by asking:


“Do they not meditate on the Quran?” (Quran 4:82)

The Quran describes the believers  as meditating on the signs in the heavens  tafakkur. They meditate on the creation  of the heavens and the earth. 


Finding Levels of Love in the Quran

Brian Wright


15 June, 2020

What does it mean to love? Is it that fuzzy feeling that you get when you look your spouse in the eye?

Finding Levels of Love in the Quran - About Islam


Searching for the Love of the Quran


Or the calming feeling you get when you see your kids peacefully playing in the park?

Or maybe it’s something more basic, when you sit down and really enjoy the nature around you or eat an amazing meal?

Love is one of our most complex emotions and it means a lot of different things. It is largely subjective, changing in meaning and impact depending upon the individual.

The Quran also speaks regularly about love, and the primary word for Arabic (hobb) and other terms like it are mentioned more than fifty times throughout the text.

Sometimes the word “love” comes with things that we, as humans, can relate to quite easily.

And you love wealth with immense love. (Quran 89:20)

No explanation needed there.

We all tend to love wealth and money: gaining it, keeping it, and spending it on the other material things that we want. Love here means “to be fulfilled,” which is actually closer to the classical definition in Arabic. Money fulfills our desires and wants, so therefore we “love” it.

This kind of love is often cautioned against in the Quran, as filling your heart with material needs can lead to a collapse of faith and turning away from God.

The only type of materialism that the Quran does encourage is that of spending your wealth for “doing good” and performing good acts.

2 Different Approaches of Love


Fulfilling Desires


As humans, we also feel that way about God, as completing acts of worship and doing what God and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) tell us to do, fulfills our spiritual needs in this world. That fulfillment can also be incorrectly replaced by other gods, as the Quran says:

And yet, among the people are those who take other than Allah as equals to Him. They love them as they should love Allah. But those who believe are stronger in love for Allah. (2:165)

Finding Love God


Finding Love or Finding God or Both? Part 3


Here, we see two differing approaches to the concept of “love,” even though in the Arabic the same word – hobb – is used.

The first uses of the word love in the verse follow with what we have already spoken about, the idea of fulfillment. People choose to fulfill their desires with gods other than Allah, using their idols or symbols as replacement for the Truth.

Forming a Connection


The last use of the word, “But those who believer are stronger in love for Allah,” indicates that the definition of love is a bit more complicated. Love here is a form of bond or connection, where those who believe have a stronger, more meaningful connection between themselves and what they love – God.

That connection can be positive – like to God and doing good – as well as negative. In Chapter 2, the Quran says when speaking about the necessity for fighting:

But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah knows, while you know not. (2:216)

Forming our connections, our love to things in this world, therefore, have to be done through some moral filter.

Simply relying upon fulfilling our desires or looking to the “good” things in life and doing them, is not going to help us in the end. We need to have some better goal in mind, and therefore our love, our connection, needs to be based within the boundaries of what God wants us to do.

So to sum up where we have gotten thus far, the Quranic verses that we have looked at teach us two things about love.

Tips for Building Divine Love

Firstly, it is about filling a desire in ourselves. Every single person is created with material desires, and love is what happens when we find that thing that fulfills a particular desire. There is nothing fundamentally wrong with that.

At the second level, love is something that we form a connection and bond with.

Here is where we can go wrong. Fulfilling our desire and creating a connection to something bad – like hoarding wealth – is harmful. On the other hand, developing that connection to something good – like worshiping God – is beneficial.

How do we determine where the line is between “good” and “bad” love?


Through understanding how God defines it. If God finds that something is good, then we therefore should accept it as good and develop our connection and direct our “love” towards it. The opposite goes for things that are defined by God as bad.

If this is how we, as humans, understand the idea of love, what does it mean when we see in the Quran that God “loves” – or for that matter, “doesn’t love” – something? Is the meaning the same?

Think about the following verse:

Say, Obey Allah and the Messenger. But if they turn away – then indeed, Allah does not like the disbelievers. (3:32)

Thinking back at our previous definitions about the levels of love, does this mean that God has desires and needs to develop a connection to something that is good?

I don’t think so, as God in Islam is complete – one of His names is Al-Ghani, or the All-Sufficient, and therefore doesn’t gain any benefit or suffer detriment from our worship.

So then, what do we do in these instances when the Quran speaks of “love?”


Well, as we said before, the only way that we can determine how our bonds of love should be constructed is through understanding how God works.

This verse, therefore, isn’t telling us about God’s personal desires, but rather where the guidelines for our faith and actions should lie.

Turning away from God, finding your love from somewhere else, means that your connection with God will not be strong.

This and other verses that speak about God “loving” or “not loving” doesn’t mean that God is bothered by our actions but points out to us where our connections might be misplaced and how to compensate.


Welcome to let the Quran speak. 

Safiyyah Ally: Now we answer questions we’ve received from you,  our viewers.  If you have a question, visit our website QuranSpeaks.com. 

Dr.Shabir the question we have today is about meditation.  The question is do Muslims have a concept of meditation? 

Shabir Ally: Yes, it’s an interesting question ,Safiyyah, and a quick answer is yes.  Let me start by saying that meditation is a very important aspect of religious practice.  And we see this across the world’s religions. 

It is most commonly known nowadays in North America,  from perhaps Hindu practice, where there is a recitation of a certain mantra in some streams,  it is the recitation of om. 

In Buddhism, there is also an emphasis on right thought and right meditation, and in Zen Buddhism,  there may be some actions that are performed,  while that aids the mind to focus in a particular way. 

So there is meditation and prayer itself there is meditation because you are locking your mind out from foreign thoughts  and you’re thinking more clearly about what you’re doing and the object of your prayer. 

Now, the Muslim prayer in particular Safiyyah,  is thought to involve a very high state of meditation. 

It is said in Muslim tradition that the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him made an ascension into the high heavens.  And if there is a narrative saying that the prayer of the Muslim believer is miraaj almumineen, it is the ascension of the Muslim believer. 

And it is interesting  that our prayer involves also prostrating on the floor.  And the the irony is that while we are prostrating  and placing our faces on the floor,  we are going down low, and the Muslim tradition says that we are actually being raised high, because this is like the ascension into the heavens for us.  So it’s a very acute form of meditation; the Muslim prayer is. 

Safiyyah Ally: Now I know that beyond the prayer there other things  that we can do that sort of involve meditation,  for example the Dhikr that we do. 

Shabir Ally: Yes dhikr is the remembrance of God.  It’s almost like reciting the name of God  that we mentioned by a comparison of the Hindu tradition,  so in the Muslim tradition,  we would be reciting just simply the name of God,  Allah, for many, this is a form of meditation. 

And some go deep into it, especially in Sufi circles,  just reciting the name of God  can actually pull a person into a deep state of ecstasy  and, meditation. 

We also have the recitation of longer  formulas like SubhanAllah, Alhamdulilaah (Glory be to God, Praise be to God).  Allahu Akbar (God is the greatest) La ilaaha Illa Allah (the formula of the Muslim faith,  there is no God but God) just reciting that over and over. 

This is a form of meditation and because it is so formulaic  and repetitive,  you don’t have to think about what you’re saying,  You say that automatically,  but then the mind goes into this meditative state. 

One form of the remembrance of God  that is particularly suitable  for meditation is the recitation of the Quran itself  and thinking about the Quran.  The Quran invites us to do that by asking:

“Do they not meditate on the Quran?” (Quran 4:82)

So reading the Quran itself is a form of meditation  there are many Muslims who,  not having had the luxury of being born  in an Arabic speaking environment,  they grow up and into their adult years,  they don’t know to speak the Arabic language,  or even to understand it when they read it,  but they have been taught how to recite the Quran  and pronounce it accurately even as an Arab would. 

And they make it as a duty to themselves to recite  the entire Quran in the original Arabic language.  That too is a form of meditation  for every Muslim and it is a Muslim belief  that these are the very words of God. 

So when one is reciting those words,  one feels a very close affiliation with God knowing  that this is His divine revelation. 

16 June, 2020


QI have been bothered by this thought of mine about sinning. During this year 2020, many bad things happened to the world and it affected me specially my prayers. During the past 5 months, I have been offering distracted prayers wherein i cannot convey my true intentions because I am interrupted by negative thoughts and images keep popping in my head. I feel very guilty about this and I'm asking for your advice on how can I overcome this.


ANSWER

Dina Mohamed Basiony


16 June, 2020


Short Answer:

Allah won’t hold us accountable for those evil thoughts if we don’t act on them. But do try to purify your thoughts and ward off those negative thoughts about sinning by busying yourself with healthy, productive activities.


Read on to learn these 5 Ways to Deal with Prayer Distractions.

Peace be upon you, our Dear Sister,

Thank you for sending your question. 

Muslims Meditate


Do Muslims Meditate?


How to Get Rid of Negative Thoughts in Prayer


Regarding the negative thoughts that come to your mind while praying, The Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) taught us how to deal with it. Uthman b. Abu al-'As reported that he came to Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings upon him) and said:

Allah's Messenger, the Satan intervenes between me and my prayer and my reciting of the Qur'an and he confounds me. Thereupon Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings upon him) said: That is the doing of  Satan who is known as Khinzab, and when you perceive its effect, seek refuge with Allah from it and spit three times to your left. I did that and Allah dispelled that from me. [Sahih Muslim]

So, do try this next time you get prayer distractions and just continue normally.

If you get distracted still that you forget parts or get confused inside the prayer, then here is what you need to do as prescribed in the hadith. It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) said:

“Satan comes to anyone of you while he is praying and comes between him and his soul until he does not know whether he as added something or omitted something. If that happens, then he should prostrate twice before the Salam, then he should say the Salam.” [Sunan Ibn Majah]

Dhikr and Quran to Ward off The Devil and his Whispers


In addition to that, to keep the negative thoughts away, it is highly recommended that you devotedly recite the morning and evening adhakar because they protect from the devil and his whispers.

Also, if you managed to recite Surat Al Baqarah at home that would help greatly as the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) says:

"Do not turn your houses into graveyards. Satan runs away from the house in which Surat Al-Baqarah is recited." [Muslim]

And always seek refuge in Allah from the evil whispers saying 'a'udhu biAllahi min asShaitan asRajeem' (I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed devil).

Negative thoughts are from Satan and Satan’s plots are always weak when we seek the help of Allah the All-Powerful, The Master of everything, and everyone in the heavens and the earth. 

Contemplating on the Powerful Conversation in Prayer


To help you focus on prayer, remember that when you recite Al Fatiha (The Opening Chapter) you immediately enter into a conversation between you and Allah, The King of the Universe. The Prophet [saw] explained how this conversation goes:

He [saw] said that Allah the Exalted had said:

“I have divided the prayer into two halves between Me and My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks. When the servant says: Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the universe, Allah the Most High says: My servant has praised Me. And when he (the servant) says: The Most Compassionate, the Merciful, Allah the Most High says: My servant has lauded Me. And when he (the servant) says: Master of the Day of judgment, He remarks: My servant has entrusted (his affairs) to Me. And when he (the worshipper) says: You alone we worship and of You alone do we ask help, He (Allah) says: This is between Me and My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks for. Then, when he (the worshipper) says: Guide us to the straight path, the path of those to whom You has been Gracious not of those who have incurred Your displeasure, nor of those who have gone astray, He (Allah) says: This is for My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks for.” [Sahih Muslim]

The Thought of Sin & Allah's Mercy


Regarding your question on thinking about sinning, narrated Abu Huraira, The Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) said,

"Allah forgives my followers those (evil deeds) their souls may whisper or suggest to them as long as they do not act (on it) or speak." [Sahih Al Bukhari]

5 Ways to Deal with Prayer Distractions


Allah won’t hold us accountable for those evil thoughts if we don’t act on them. But do try to purify your thoughts and ward off those negative thoughts about sinning by busying yourself with healthy, productive activities.

To say goodbye to prayer distractions, make a productive plan for your day that includes:

1- Marinating your adhkar & prayers.

2- Listening to lectures that have beneficial knowledge and reminder.

3- Engaging in volunteering and helping others for the sake of Allah.

4- Being among groups of righteous companions who aid one another in doing good works.  

5- Studying the meaning of the Quran. It’s very powerful and keeps your heart and mind engaged and ward off the thoughts of sin. 

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Made a Mistake? Repent and do a Good Deed to Wipe out the Bad Deed


Most importantly, if you make a mistake, then immediately repent and do a good deed to wipe out the bad deed.

“And establish prayer at the two ends of the day and at the approach of the night. Indeed, good deeds do away with misdeeds. That is a reminder for those who remember.” (Qur’an 11:114)

Don’t give up or lose hope ever. Remember Allah says:

“'O son of adam, I forgive you as long as you pray to Me and hope for My forgiveness, whatever sins you have committed. O son of 'Adam, I do not care if your sins reach the height of heaven, then you ask for my forgiveness, I would forgive you. O son of 'Adam, if you come to Me with an earth load of sins, and meet Me associating nothing to Me, I would match it with an earth load of forgiveness."' [At- Tirmidhi].

6 Steps to Go Deeper With God

Shannon Abulnasr


16 June, 2020


Whether you were born and raised in Islam, or accepted Islam later in life, there will possibly be times where we will feel a disconnection between us and Allah.

If we feel a disconnection between us and God, it is not because of Him, but usually due to lack of diligence in ourselves. We got lost somewhere because we stopped following the guidebook God gave us. 

And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. (3:103)

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Tears of Mercy - 6 Ways to Weep For Allah


If we stick to the guidance of Allah, we will always have a close relationship with Him.  It is when we forget that we have a rope there for us to use that we start to feel disconnected.

To gain a personal relationship with Allah, we must purify our hearts and minds and obtain tawqa (shielding oneself against sin) and live our lives with ihsan (when you live and worship Allah as if you see Him and He sees you.)

Ihsan also encompasses observing good behavior, sincerity, kindness to all people, and do everything in excellence.

So how can one actually acquire these traits and get closer to Allah?

1- Get Back to Basics and Remain Steadfast


Allah gives us a personal one-to-one appointment to talk with him five times daily. It’s something many neglect, called prayer! If you are at work and are facing a problem, you would request a meeting with your manager…right?

Of course you would! Apply this analogy with Allah, because He has promised to answer those that supplicate to Him in prayer.

Allah promises us in the Quran that He will be with us and guide us as long as we strive for Him.

2- Humble Yourself


Have you ever seen someone at your job that is a slacker, and yet they got a promotion that you felt should have gone to another, or even yourself? 

If so, be careful, because this can be an indicator of arrogance, assuming that you deserve more than another. He may have accomplished a goal that you are unaware of.

If you have a habit of thinking this way, it can indicate that you are losing trust in Allah and His infinite wisdom and mercy, whether you realize it or not. Sometimes He is merciful to us by not giving us certain things.

…perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah Knows, while you know not. (2:216)

It’s when we are facing a trouble-free life and getting everything that we want that we should actually be re-evaluating ourselves to make sure that we are not seeking the dunya instead of the hereafter.

connection prayer


Praying Like a Robot: How Can I Get Closer to Allah?


It may appear that others are having a great life filled with many good things, but it may be part of Allah’s plan for them to use up their rewards in this life (dunya) and not the hereafter (akhira). When would you rather have your rewards?

3- Are You Just “Going through the Motions”?


Laura, an American new Muslim, expressed that she felt close to Allah when she accepted Islam, but explained that after a while, she felt she was just “going through the motions” and felt nothing. She felt she was a robot, and was yearning for that closeness to Allah again.

She started out with sincerity in her prayers, but ultimately, she stopped praying because she felt that she was doing it without benefit, and felt Allah was not listening.

Allah hears your prayers, and He will respond to them. However, He will respond when the time is right, since He has the knowledge of all things, and He will do it not a minute before or a minute after. His timing is just.

We must maintain sincerity in everything we do, especially prayer. Acknowledge that prayer is the obligatory method ordered by Allah to worship Him.

How do you ensure your prayer is sincere?


You have to make an intention (niyah) to clear your mind of pride, and try to be focused in your prayers. The trick to maintain the sincerity in your prayers is to pray as if it is your last prayer before death approaches you. We should pray all of our prayers as if it is our last anyway, because we never know if we will live to see the next prayer.

4- Increase Remembrance and Worship of Allah


Life of Remembrance


A Life of Remembrance


Not only should we establish regular prayers, we should do extra prayers beyond what is obligatory (nawafil prayers or deeds). Allah tells us that those who do nawafil prayers will be able to do great things, and if we ask for something He will give it to us and protect us.

Glorify Allah with dhikr after your prayers, and make dua’ (supplications) every time you want to talk. Allah will always listen when others won’t. Open your heart to Him, and glorify Him, and make istighfar (repentance) regularly.

When you are in sujood (prostrating) in your prayers, let it all out! Cry if you feel the need to, and stay in that position as long as you need to. Allah listens to His believers in sujood, and He is ever most merciful. You will start to see a change in your life, and more closeness to Him.

5- Don’t Despair – Put Your Trust in Allah


Strive to do all things with your fullest ability, so that you can feel certain that if you fail in something, or do not reach a goal, that it was by the qadar (divine will) of Allah that the events that unfold are not just because your lack of trying. Accepting the qadar of Allah is essential in growing a closer relationship with Him.

When you put your trust in Allah, you can more easily accept the good and the bad that befalls you. He only wants what is best for His believers.

Let go of any anxiety you have about a matter, and put your trust in Him. He tells us in 8:2 that our faith will be strengthened if we do. Imagine that! He not only tells us how to worship him, but He even tells us how to increase our faith! He is so merciful that we can’t even imagine His limits.