ISLAMIC MEDITATION
A Reason-based Approach
THE concept of meditation is found in one form or the other in every religion. We present below the concept of meditation in Islam whose goal is God-realization.
The ultimate reality in Islam is God. God is the Creator of man. Man’s purpose in life is to realize God and worship Him.
According to Islam, God is separate from man. He is self-existent. Man’s goal in life is to try to seek this separate and permanent God at the level of consciousness.
The method of meditation practised in Sufism (mysticism) is generally regarded as representing the method of meditation in Islam. However, this is not entirely true.
The appropriate words for meditation in Islam are contemplation, reflection and the drawing of spiritual lessons from material events and nature. Thus the basis of meditation in Islam is thinking and reflection.
The entire cosmos becomes an object of reflection, that is to say, the
Creator is realized through pondering over His creations. This verse of
the Quran provides an apt illustration of Islamic meditation:
“There are signs in the creation of the heavens
and the Earth, and in the alternation of night
and day for people of understanding; who
remember God while standing, sitting and
[lying] on their sides, and who ponder over
the creation of the heavens and the Earth,
saying, ‘Lord, You have not created all this
without purpose. Glory be to You! Save us
from the torment of the Fire'. (3: 190-191)
Abu Dharr al-Ghifari (d. AD 652), a Companion
of the Prophet says: "Even when a bird was
seen flying in the air, the Prophet would draw
a lesson and teach us".
God’s universe provides an introduction to God. The existence of creation speaks of the existence of the Creator. The vastness of space speaks of the unfathomably vast power of God.
God’s universe provides an introduction to God. The existence of creation speaks of the existence of the Creator. The vastness of space speaks of the unfathomably vast power of God. The co-existence of various parts of the universe is an indication of the successful planning of God. The universe in continuous action is an indication that the Lord of the universe is a living being. The meaningfulness of the universe is an expression of the meaningfulness of God’s being.
The loftiness of the mountains, the brilliance of the sun, the flowing of the river and the blowing of the wind are signs of God's majesty. From the chirping of the birds to the galaxies and black holes in space, all declare the glory of God. Meditation is to ponder over these divine manifestations and attributes in order to get to know them in their depths, because it is through these signs that God can be realized. This is Islamic meditation.