Do you get irrelevant thoughts all the time and you want to get away with this problem as a Muslim? According to studies, meditation helps to calm the brain down but you want to know whether this way of meditation is Haram or Halal for Muslims? And, how to meditate in Islam? Meditation is a sort of brain exercise to bring the brain to its good state and to have a spiritual awakening. But the meditation that many non-Muslims do, including yoga, doesn’t go with the religion of Islam.
The reason behind this fact is that yoga is not simply a means of meditation but rather a form of worship to the sun in the religions of Buddhism and Hinduism, which is Haram and prohibited for Muslims.
The original name of this in Sanskrit is Sastanga Soria Namaskar which means prostrating for the sun on eight places of the body, which means to prostrate for the sun on eight organs of the body. So, if you are in search of the answer to whether: is meditation halal or is meditation haram. The answer according to many scholars is to follow Islamic ways to find tranquillity and peace of mind and some say if you want to do meditation then never do it in the way of kuffar (non-believers).
What is Muraqaba?
Muraqaba is an Arabic term which is referred to meditation somehow in Islam, which is the inspection and introspection of one’s Nafs (inner self). According to many scholars like Sheikh Assim Al-Hakim, muraqaba is not allowed in Islam. While some religious scholars like Dr.Israr Ahmed and many others have this view that it is permissible.
The major thing here is your meditation which you either want to name as Muraqaba or anything that should be done in an Islamic way without any biddah and additional things to it which are not in Islam. There are indeed many ways mentioned in the Quran and Hadith through which you can get peace of mind and are a great source of meditation.
How to Meditate in Islam – 7 Best Practices
- 5 daily prayers
- Recitation of Qur’an
- Dhikr of Allah (S.W.T)
- Salutations or sending durood on Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H)
- Tahajjud
- Supplications and prayers
- Good Ikhlaq
1. Five Daily Prayers
Prayer or Salat is one of the 5 pillars of Islam. Prayer is not only important but obligatory for every Muslim. According to one Hadith of the Prophet (S.A.W.W), the main difference between Muslims and Kafir is prayer. The Hadith mentioned by Holy Prophet (S.A.W.W) said: “The covenant that stands between us and them is prayer; whoever gives it up is a kaafir.” [al-Tirmidhi and an-Nasa’i, classed as saheeh by al-Albani in Sahih Al tirmidhi].
The 5 daily prayers Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha are fardh on every Muslim and every Muslim must offer them on their times with the way it has been told in Islam. These 5 daily prayers are shields for Muslims from any harm and fitna and help to get rid of all unnecessary thoughts and relax just by talking to Allah (S.W.T).
The Qur’an enlightens the importance of prayer in Surah Al-Hud, Ayah 114: “And establish the prayer at the two ends of the day and in the first hour of the night. Indeed the good deeds drive away the evil deeds. This is a reminder to those who are mindful of Allah.”
2. Recitation of Qur’an
The Qur’an is the biggest blessing for us as it is the source of guidance for all human beings. This last revelation which is the Qur’an on Allah’s last Messenger Holy Prophet (S.A.W.W) is the source to get the answer to all queries either related to duniya (this world) or akhirah (hereafter).
Now you might think about how to meditate in Islam through the Qur’an. So, the simple answer is when you have a source of guidance which guides you in every step of life and resolves your mystery and is the word of God Almighty then it is assured that there is no better solution to go for when you are in search of peace of mind.
Allah (S.W.T) says in the Qur’an: “We send the Qur’an as healing and mercy for those who believe.” [17:82]
3. Dhikr or Remembrance of Allah (S.W.T)
To remember Allah day and night is the sign of a believer. When he starts his every task with بسم الله and after getting any naimah (blessing) or in any condition his tongue just utters الحمد لله. Or when he is continuously praising Allah (S.W.T), he is doing a great meditation which is permissible and highly regarded in Islam. Doing Dhikr of Allah (S.W.T) makes you satisfied that Allah is All-knowing and hearing. He knows my matters better than me and He is sufficient and best disposer of all my affairs (حسبنا الله ونعم الوكيل).
4. Tahajjud
Tahajjud is the prayer which is offered at night after Isha and is highly recommended in Islam. It is said that the prayer in Tahajjud is like an arrow hitting its target. Sometimes, we feel like we don’t get time to communicate with Allah( S.W.T) and to tell him what is going on with us.
However, Allah (S.W.T) knows everything but he loves it when his servants come to him in the middle of the night to ask for forgiveness and to beg him to fulfil our desires and wishes. Meditation in Islam is not just about sitting in different postures and breathing in and out. Instead, it is about connecting to Allah Almighty who is the one to give us comfort and peace in our lives.
5. To Send Salutations or Durood on the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.W)
Holy Prophet (S.A.W.W) is the last Messenger of Allah (S.W.T) and he is the one who helped the people to get rid of jahiliyat. Allah (S.W.T) has sent the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.W) as a blessing to this Ummah which was on the edge of destruction. As a Ummati of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.W), it is our responsibility to send the durood on our beloved Prophet (S.A.W.W.
6. Supplications or Prayers (Dua)
Dua or prayer is the way through which we ask Allah (S.W.T) whatever we want and it is the best way to interact with Allah(S.W.T). It is a way to tell Allah (S.W.T) the state of our hearts and minds. However Allah knows it already but when we take out our time and talk to Allah(S.W.T), He loves it.
Either our duas get accepted in this world or become a source of reward in Aakhirah. But the main point is we are always in search of someone to whom we can tell our problems. It is Allah (S.W.T) who hears us and fulfils our desires hence, it is the best source of meditation in Islam.
7. Good Akhlaq
We have observed that when we do something good for others we feel good and relaxed. But whenever we throw a bad attitude towards others it always bothers us. Well, if your not-so-good behaviour bothers you then it is a sign of Iman in your heart. Moreover, good akhlaq is not only about our ethics and behaviour.
Our moral values also depend upon the fact that how we treat poor ones. As Allah (S.W.T) says in the Qur’an: “Surely those who recite the book of Allah, establish prayer and donate from what we have provided for them secretly and openly can hope for an exchange that will never fail so that He will reward them out of his grace. He is truly All-Forgiving, Most Appreciative.”[Surah Al-Fatir, 35:28].
Conclusion
As Muslims, we should not go for non-Muslim ways to get peace in our lives. We should always remember that one thing leads to another. So, once we try to imitate them eventually we will try to imitate them in all aspects of life. Hence, when it comes to the question of how to meditate in Islam, we should follow the Islamic ways of meditation. The methods that are mentioned in the Qur’an and Hadith are followed by all sects. Finally, I would just say that Allah knows best and guides us all to the correct path.
FAQ’s
- Where in the Qur’an it is mentioned that remembrance (dhikr) of Allah (S.W.T) is necessary for peace of heart?
“Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find peace.” [28:13]
- Do non-muslims chant something in yoga?
Yes, they do and it is Haram for us to chant.
- Muraqaba is mostly performed by which people?
Sufis used to do muraqaba.
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