Shakirah Hunter

Everyday like clockwork I take a walk with my kids. The sun and fresh air does us a lot of good. I am usually careful to walk with all my belongings tucked away as we have been taught to do so in South Africa. There is the worry of your belongings being stolen. The fear that you might be robbed at any moment a given. This suspicion is taught to us from a young age. We must always be careful of our fellow human beings for we could be victims within seconds.

With this mindframe I walked and suddenly my phone rang. I picked up my phone whilst overtly scanning the road to see if I was ‘safe’ to do so. I suddenly saw a man walking towards me . I quickly cut the call and put away my phone.  An act which most would commend for safety is of utmost concern. But as the man approached me – I was not fast enough. He saw me rush to put away my phone. And watched as I nervously tried to be calm. But the look on his face is what inspired me to write this article today.

As he came closer I saw he had on a topi and was on his way to Musjid for Salaatul Jummuah. He was busy making tasbeeh as he walked. But the look on his face told me,that had gone through this many times. He knew I had been afraid. He could see that I was trying to mask my actions. And yet it was clear that I had been unconsciously judging him.

He smiled in a self-deprecating manner and shrugged . It was in that moment that I made istighfaar. That I realized how our country has shaped us. To judge and live in fear. To look at people of a different color and race and to immediately expect them to be criminal. We have been burned as a nation but irrespective of the narrative, irrespective of the criminal element – we must choose to look at each human being as a human , a creation of Allah. We have developed these biases and unconsciously we carry this burden of judging even the most innocent of people.

We pass man people in our Daily lives , yes our bias is dictated by the way that we think, our racisim, tribalism and mainly our discrimination against others that might not appear to be the same as us. We all experience it , yes as a believer our goal has to be to hold on to a heart that is saleem – free from suspicion and discrimination against others.

“Oh Allah do not Place hatred in our hearts for those who believe, our Rabb You are Kind and Merciful.” Ameen

SHAKIRAH HUNTER

The onset of Rajab brings with it the much anticipated count down to Ramadan AL Kareem . We begin the month with a dua for barakah during this auspicious month. The reality of our preparation towards Ramadhaan means that Rajab is our time to set our goals, objectives and desires for the month of Ramadhan. In reality as life speeds us towards the end of the year and our focus is just getting through each moment – The Dua of Rajab ” oh Allah grant us Barakah in Rajab” steers us towards slowing down and making use of the time during this month. One would think that we should make dua to race towards Ramadhan in hurried anticipation. But the reality of the months leading upto the blessed month of Ramadan is that they act as a cleanse and a deep spiritual preparation for long nights of Salah and recitation of AL-Furqaan.

If one is asked regarding Ramadhan preps , we prep in different ways. We ensure our homes get a good clean and sort out , we clean our freezers and then fill them for ease in our fasting. We then ready ourselves with the correct menus , with enough ingredients and healthy vitamins etc to give us a a calm Ramadhan. Whilst we prepare our homes , we msut focus on our spiritual preperation.

The spiritual preperation of Ramadhan is often misunderstood. In order for us to recite the QUR’AAN and stand in prayer for hours , we must be fit enough to do so. Our spiritual preparation has to be assisted with our physical preparation. We cannot put our body through the grueling fasts and long Rak’aats without first preparing for it. Start off with a walk throughout Rajab and slowly build to more rapid exercise.

As our load becomes heavier find that our tempers get the better of us. We often find ourselves angry and snapping at our family members. Let the month of Rajab be the starting point to control your anger and focusing on your triggers. It could be your kids whining or your spouse asking for something repeatedly, but recognize those triggers and work on better responses so that you are able to control your anger.

Expectations and realities. Sometimes our own expectations let us down. We may set massive goals , with huge intentions and our desire to complete massive amounts of recitation of the QUR’AAN and other ibadah. Aim high but also be aware of your own load. Once you are aware you are able to make adjustments from now to facilitate more time and attachment to both the QUR’AAN and your Salah.

4. Developing a habit by adding your ibaadah to other acts that you are already doing. For example add your daily Surahs to your kids bedtime routine. Or your daily Surah Yaseen to your morning commute.

May Allah grant us complete barakah in our time this Rajab to truly prepare for the the best of months. Ameen

On our journey to falling in love with the knowledge attached to each verse, statement, and word in the Qur’an, we delve a little further. Every ayah was revealed at certain times, and certain places. How fascinating and astounding that each ayah is recorded right down to the time, the season, the place etc. Subhaanallah! No such reverence is given to anything else besides the words of Allah.

The first broad category is the revelation during the time when the Prophet (s) was staying at home or when he was on a journey. Hadri verses are regarded as those that were revealed whilst He (s) was at home. Most verses of the Qur’aan fall into this broad category. Safri verses were revealed during His (s) journeys. Allama Suyuti (ra) has mentioned that there are about forty verses revealed whilst on a journey.

Then the ayaat are further divided into the divisions of day and night. Nahari ayaat were revealed during the day. According to Allama ibn Habib(ra) most verses were revealed during the day, whilst the Layla verses were revealed during the night and were only thirteen in number. The last two ayaat of Surah Al- Imran, ayah 198 to ayah 200 were revealed during the night.

The Sahabah took the classifications to another level when they recorded the season that certain ayaat were revealed! Subhaanallah! What an attachment to the knowledge of the ayaat of Allah. The Sayfi vereses were revealed during Summer and there is an authentic hadith that records the Ayah in Surah Nisa on the ruling of Kalaalah recorded as being revealed during the Summer. The ayah in Surah Mai’dah revealed at the farewell Hajj was also revealed in Summer.

The Shitai verses are the verses revealed during the wintertime. The famous incident of Ifk – the slander of Aisha (ra) – mentioned in Surah Noor, was revealed in the wintertime.

We then have firashi and Nawmi verses. Firashi verses were revealed to the Prophet (s) whilst he was lying on his bed. There are three such ayaat recorded according to Allamah Suyuti (ra). Nawmi verses were regarded as ayat when Nabi (s) was not fast asleep – but rather in a restful state. The gladtidings of the pond of Kauthar came to Nabie (s) whilst in a wink of sleep. He (S) raised his head and smiled and said that a surah had been revealed to him and He(s) then recited Suratul Kauthar.

The holy Qur’an provides a love like no other. A love that takes different forms, time and a unique closeness. The Sahabah expressed their love to the words of Allah either by standing up for hours in recitation, or studying the meanings, or dedicating their lives to writing and compiling the Qur’aan. Some spent every moment finding out everything they could to cement this relationship with Al Furqaan. We see the manner in which Abdullah ibn Masood (ra) took his love for the words of Allah in a statement wherein he said: “I swear by the being besides whom there is none worthy of worship that I know about every verse of the Qur’an, about whom it was revealed and when it was revealed”. The incredible attention by the Sahabah to the Kalaam of Allah is a unique one. We see Ali (ra) highlighting this to us: “By Allah, I know about every verse whether it was revealed at night or during the daytime, in the plains or in the mountains.

As we prepare a welcome for the month of Ramadhan, we will focus on the deep knowledge regarding every ayah of the Kalaam of Allah.

Classification of the Ayaat into Makki and Madani:

We often hear of the classification of the ayah into Makki and Madani and we misinterpret this to mean that it was revealed in Makkah or Madina. However the correct explanation is that those ayaat that were revealed before the Hijrah (the emigration from Makkah to Madina ) are regarded as Makki, whilst those revealed after the Hijrah are regarded as Madani. There are some ayaat that were revealed in Makkah at the time of the conquest of Makkah yet are regarded as Madani.

• The style of the Qur’an is unique in that there are subtle differences that highlight the difference between the Makki ayaat and the Madani Ayaat. Allah Ta’ala uses the word “kalla – Certainly Not” only in the Makkan Surahs. This word is repeated by Allah Ta’alah 33times in 15 surahs and they all occur in the second half of the Qur’aan.
• Every surah containing a verse of Sajdah (besides the sajdah in Surah Hajj according to Imam Shafiee) is a makki Surah.
• Every surah which refers to Adam (as) and Shaitan – besides Surah Baqarah – is a Makki Surah.
• Every surah that mentions the hypocrites is a Madani Surah.
• In Makki surahs Allah Ta’ala refers to people as “yaa ayyuhanaas- Oh mankind” while in Madani surahs Allah addresses them as ‘Yaa Ayyuhal ladheena Aamanu- Oh you who believe”
• The Makkan Surahs are generally short and concise whilst the Madani surahs are long and detailed.
• The style of the Makan surahs contains more similies, metaphors, parables and an extensive vocabulary is used. The Madani surahs are simpler in comparison.

Shakirah Hunter

Walking through Bin Dawood with my baby strapped to me and my son in his pram. I saw another lady walking through with two kids. I was looking for some Za’tar and mistook her to be Arab. After a quick conversation we quickly realized we were both fellow South Africans and we both were on Umrah with our kids. She had three whilst I had two. I remember when we booked the tickets, most people told me how incredibly difficult Umrah with kids could be. And as we chatted to each other – she said to me: “its impossible to be in the Haram all the time with kids”. Laughing across the date aisle in Bin Dawood we shook our heads – because being mums we understood that Umrah with little ones was not a walk in the park.

As a mother your responsibilities as a mother dont magically melt away. You probably have been researching the best tips to keep your kids occupied and how to balance your meal preps and snacks.

1. Change your intention:

Being a mother, it is imperative that you understand the reason that you are taking your children with you. It can be so much easier to take them on a local holiday. It would be cheaper too. There isn’t the usual entertainment with beaches and pools. But you are taking them to the house of Allah to grant them the opportunity to build an attachment to the Sha’aair of Allah. To build a deep love of the Azaan, the Masaajid, the water of Zam- Zam , the City of Al Habeeb (s) . These are all Sha’aair – the salient features of Islam. You are not taking them just for Umrah – rather by choosing the House of Allah you are teaching them the importance of the very features of Islam.

2. Prepare well but place your tawakkul on Allah:

Preparing for Umrah, I was gifted two leashes for Abbad, a travel pram and a specific bag. We had snacks and biscuits and every possible extra and ‘incase’ – but the reality is that Allah Ta’ala will test you on this trip. Your otherwise calm kids will become overstimulated, and whilst you get all the advice and pack in all the essentials remember that irrespective of how well you might prepare- everything will ultimately occur exactly as Allah has decreed it to be.

3. Service to your family is a great Ibadah:

We usually define Ibadah by our time in Salah and time in the Masjidul Haram or Masjidun Nabawi. But as a mother there are moments when your children will have meltdowns. When they might not be able to handle going to the Masjid. You might find yourself at a war with yourself- desiring to be of those who spend their entire nights in the Masjid – yet in reframing your mind, you understand that your journey to the Holy Lands is blessed by the infinite reward of taking care of others.

4. The best kind of tired:

Landing at O.R.Tambo International , we were waiting for our Zam Zam water and a fellow traveller shakes his head and tells my husband: “Umrah is exhausting isn’t it? “ And yes it is extremely exhausting even without kids. The constant walking to and from the Masjid within the massive crowds is fatiguing for us adults. Add the massive responsibility of taking care of your kids and dealing with tantrums, meltdowns and overtiredness can drain you. But this fatigue is a tired that is truly for the sake of Allah. We might holiday at the best beach destination and find ourselves fatigued at the end of the day – and yet this fatigue is one that is duo to the walking to the House of Allah , a tired from making tawaf or standing in Qiyaamul Layl . A fatigue of the body but a soul that is so refreshed and alive with the Rahma of Allah.

5. Incorporating Ibadah whilst you parent:

Finding myself outside Masjidul Qubaa whilst Abbad raced after the pigeons ,I used that time to recite as I walked behind him.Salawaat colored our trips and all the cats that we played with in Madina. Instead of playing tag-off-war between ibadah and parenting , I allowed myself to merge the two. Instead of waiting for that ideal moment , every moment became a moment to connect to Allah Ta’ala.

]]> 74636 https://radioislam.org.za/a/a-different-kind-of-umrah/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=a-different-kind-of-umrah https://radioislam.org.za/a/a-different-kind-of-umrah/#comments Sun, 01 Jan 2023 19:38:35 +0000 https://radioislam.org.za/a/?p=74633 Shakirah Hunter

Umrah season opened with a bang this year. Post covid our nerves were high and Umrah groups were formed to grant assistance to those who would soon fall under the banner of Mu’tamireen. Laundry services were shared, Halaal eating places with local numbers provided in well-formed and concisely put together lists. Hundreds joined the group, each sharing their experiences from booking visits to the Raudah to advise on the best types of shoes for the Mataf area or the best hotels to book.

This deep sense of sisterhood reminded me of a Hadith wherein the Prophet (s) describes to us the best of people as being of those who are a benefit to others and create sources of benefit for their fellow Muslims. This set the tone for the entirety of my trip. An Umrah that humbled me as I understood the beauty of Islam is only in our understanding of the word “Ikhwa”. Allah Ta’ala tells in His Holy Qur’an: “Be oh servants of Allah brothers!”

Going for Umrah with a toddler and a four-month-old meant that I was constantly running after either one of them and yet this kindness extended itself to me on various occasions. I remember vividly standing outside Masjidun Nabawi waiting for my husband after Salah and an old woman sitting in a wheelchair stood up and offered me her wheelchair to sit with the two kids. I was shocked. I reassured her I was completely fine, but her response made me think – she said in Arabic: “we are Muslim sisters, we must take care of each other.” And this sisterhood permeated the courtyard of our beloved Habeeb (s). Sisters from Uzbekistan brought homemade sweets from their countries and shared it with all the children who ran around whilst their parents were in Ibadah. Some picked up crying kids, others brought water for older ladies, some kept the children entertained.

A sister was performing salah and her child toppled out of the pram, a Chinese sister holds the baby and rocks her whilst her mother performs Salaah. After Esha we often sat outside of Masjidun Nabawi with a lovely picnic and zam zam water, whilst the kids raced around us. My son ran with biscuits for other kids and they in turn handed out sweets.

It felt a little surreal. The last two years have been all about isolation and yet this Umrah felt like it was a time of healing. A time to value your fellow Muslim and most importantly to understand the magnanimity of those small acts that warm our hearts and unite our souls.

Amidst the usual crowds and the challenges of Umrah there was a deep sense of Muslim sisterhood and brotherhood – an understanding that in putting others above ourselves we truly embody the essence of our Deen.

]]> https://radioislam.org.za/a/a-different-kind-of-umrah/feed/ 1 74633 https://radioislam.org.za/a/hayaah-a-continuous-journey-of-growing-your-relationship-with-allah/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=hayaah-a-continuous-journey-of-growing-your-relationship-with-allah Mon, 07 Nov 2022 08:43:14 +0000 https://radioislam.org.za/a/?p=73405 Shakirah Hunter

Hayaa. Modesty.
We tend to confuse this word and minimise it’s meaning. We have taken Hayaa down to the wearing of a headscarf. Hayaa is so much more than this. Firstly it is one of the greatest gifts of Allah upon us the Muslim Ummah. Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم has described this quality as the signature trait of Islam. This quality of Haya can be understood in our minds as the instinctual need to cover our bodies and our awrah , but it also has a deep meaning of Hayaa within our relationships with our Rabb and His commands , ourselves and our relationships with others.

This inner guide draws us to want to find the best version of ourselves , it motivates us to be better. It governs our minds our words and our every interaction.
Allah Ta’ala speaks about the garment of Taqwa – meaning the consciousness of Allah Ta’ala, and Sufyan ibn Uyainah (Ra) describes Ḥayāʾ as the most elementary form of taqwá, and the servant does not fear [Allah] until he first experiences Hayaa. How else did the pious reach piety except through ḥayāʾ?”

Nabie صلى الله عليه وسلم has paired hayaa modesty with faith , saying : “Ḥayāʾ and faith have been paired together whereby if one is removed, the other is removed as well.”

This brings us to a deeper look at our own understanding of hayaa. As we live in a world that serves to break down modesty and would like us to believe that it is simply a piece of clot on our heads. The reality is so much deeper. The reality is that Hayaa is the driving force in every single act of faith. It is the manner in which we find closeness to Allah Ta’ala and submit to His every law

In Madaarijus Saalikeen, Hayaa has been described in different ways :
The Haya of guilt when we feel bad over our sins and actions. The Haya of inability . The Haya of awe. The Hayaa of generosity ,the Hayaa of chastity and humility . The Hayaa in love and the Hayaa in servitude and most importantly the Hayaa from one’s own self.
In a world that would like to break down our internal moral compass by focusing us on the actions of others, we have to take back our Hayaa.
In checking our own moral compass we can find our relationship with Allah Ta’ala. We will often find that our Hayaa is affected by our surroundings and we may have begun at a certain point in finding closeness to Allah Ta’ala but slowly with time and the effect of the world around us our level of hayaa depreciates.
This will slowly move from our internal to reflect on our external.

We don our external layer of clothing , as an act of faith that is deeply intertwined with our internal relationship with Allah Ta’ala. We cover our bodies and each one of us finds our selves at different points in their journey to Allah.

We find ourselves quick to judge the level of taqwa expressed by others in their outer garments but we fail to look at our own journey.

The hijaab, the niqaab and the abaya or the jilbaab . We find millions of Muslim woman wearing these at different points of their journey to complete obedience of Allah Ta’ala.

The key is to understand that I have to develop my Hayaa within my relationship with Allah first and foremost whilst ensuring that my journey of modesty in dress is a continuous one. A journey that never stagnates. I should analyse my goalposts and create new ones . If I had begun my journey at a scarf and I slowly lengthened my dress and then changed my dresses to abayas. I should never stop there. I need to continuously work on improving my external and internal hayaa. There are times when we can be completely covered yet we find that out connection to Allah is missing . In order to complete our Hayaa journey we have to understand that it can never be completed. Just as Iman is often tested our Hayaa can be affected by the world around us.

I am sitting in my lounge looking out at the lovely large windows overlooking the beauty that is currently Johannesburg. It is purple season and the Jacarandas are in bloom. The City which has been plagued by shortages of both water and electricity has suddenly been turned into the blooming city that just makes people want to take a picture of it all. Social media has been flooded with the most beautiful pictures. Sunny skies and gorgeous jacranda lined streets. The beauty leaves you in awe.

But suddenly – it all changes. The breathtaking beauty is totally covered , by huge gloomy clouds.
Suddenly the sunny almost lazy beauty of those Jacaranda filled streets turn to darkness. The clouds turn grey and the once blue sky now is an angry movement of lightening and thunder bolts streaking accross the sky.

In split seconds it all changes.

The thunder and lightening are spectacular ,you hear the roar fill the sky. And with it comes some much needed rain. But this split second change brings to mind and ayah of the Qur’an that is repeated quite a few times
ان كانت الا صيحة واحدة
” It was only one single shout…”

Allah speaks of the punishment of the people of the past -the absolute reality that Allah destroyed them in completion with a simple shout. There was no need for armies or massive wars- simply one single shout. As we hear the thunder and shudder at the streaks of lightening we can understand why the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) would hasten to the Musjid at the mere presence of those clouds.
He understood in totality the true power of Allah سبحانه وتعالى . He knew that it is only the mercy of Allah that keeps us safe and sound.

A minute ago I was lazying on the couch enjoying the view ,and now I jump up to close all the curtains and windows. How quickly it all changes. I began to read the Dua at the time of thunder :
اللهم لا تقتلنا بغضبك ولا تهلكنا بعذابك وعافنا قبل ذالك
” Oh Allah don’t kill is because of Your anger and do not destroy us because of Your punishment and grant us Aafiya before that”.

These words make me reflect on the uncertainty of my own ability, the reality of my inability in the face of the Qudrat of Allahسبحانه وتعالى .

The sky was alight with light and rolling with thunder and I reminded myself that Allah describes this as the tasbeeh of the thunder.
Allah Ta’ala says in the Qur’an { وَيُسَبِّحُ ٱلرَّعۡدُ بِحَمۡدِهِۦ وَٱلۡمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ مِنۡ خِيفَتِهِۦ وَيُرۡسِلُ ٱلصَّوَٰعِقَ فَيُصِيبُ بِهَا مَن يَشَآءُ وَهُمۡ يُجَٰدِلُونَ فِي ٱللَّهِ وَهُوَ شَدِيدُ ٱلۡمِحَالِ }
[Surah Ar-Ra`d: 13]

Nay, thunder repeateth His praises, and so do the angels, with awe: He flingeth the loud-voiced thunder-bolts, and therewith He striketh whomsoever He will.. yet these (are the men) who (dare to) dispute about Allah, with the strength of His power (supreme)!

Once again I am reminded that every Dua is a connection to Allah , a statement of total submission and testifying that we will never look to our own strength , power or ability. Like those giant thunder bolts we understand who Allah سبحانه وتعالى is and we Glorify His praises in recognition of His true might.

As the day seems to change before us , so too can our lives change in mere seconds. We may be blooming like those Jacarandas or we may be covered. In gloomy clouds. Yet our focus in every moment must be on our relationship and understanding of the total power of Allah.

There is a famous incident wherein the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was commanded by Allah Ta’ala to sit down with a group of people who had gathered together to listen to the Kalam of Allah Ta’ala.

Allah mentions this command to His Beloved Habeeb صلى الله عليه وسلم in Surah Al Kahf :

 { وَٱصۡبِرۡ نَفۡسَكَ مَعَ ٱلَّذِینَ یَدۡعُونَ رَبَّهُم بِٱلۡغَدَوٰةِ وَٱلۡعَشِیِّ یُرِیدُونَ وَجۡهَهُۥۖ وَلَا تَعۡدُ عَیۡنَاكَ عَنۡهُمۡ تُرِیدُ زِینَةَ ٱلۡحَیَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡیَاۖ وَلَا تُطِعۡ مَنۡ أَغۡفَلۡنَا قَلۡبَهُۥ عَن ذِكۡرِنَا وَٱتَّبَعَ هَوَىٰهُ وَكَانَ أَمۡرُهُۥ فُرُطࣰا }

[Surah Al-Kahf: 28]

And keep thy soul content with those who call on their Lord morning and evening, seeking His Face; and let not thine eyes pass beyond them, seeking the pomp and glitter of this Life; no obey any whose heart We have permitted to neglect the remembrance of Us, one who follows his own desires, whose case has gone beyond all bounds.

This weekend I was truly blessed as I had been searching for an environment of the Qur’an for a while. As soon as I saw the advert for the annual Qira’at program at Madrassah Mueenul Islam in Zakarriya Park , I was ecstatic. Allah had answered my Dua. Although I read Qur’an daily and I teach it via an online platform – there is something heart-rendingly beautiful to hear the Kalaam of Allah with hundreds of others ,all there for the same purpose. I took my baby along and subhaanallah I was surprised to see the amount of mums who attended with their children. The children fussed and tried wriggling away from their mothers , and yet the mothers were all prepared. They had a seemingly endless supply of snacks, toys and funny faces to keep their kids occupied. I could see the fatigue of motherhood in their eyes. Yet they were all there, willing to do whatever it took to spend time in the company of the Qur’an.

We listened in awe as a young girl recited in a voice that shook the room and then the beautiful simplicity of two young girls completing their journey of memorizing the entire Qur’an. We listened in awe as the young women completed their recitation of the Qur’an thrice in the riwaayat of Hafs and the entire room stilled as the words of Allah permeated the air.

My soul felt revitalized, and I rushed back home to pick up my son. I had left him earlier afraid that being a toddler he might make a huge ruckus. But seeing those mums, the determination in their eyes, and the complete desire to be in the company of the Qur’an motivated me. That evening we were treated to a night that will forever be one etched in my heart. A qira’ah program was held at the Maraisberg Musjid. Rushing back from the female Qira’ah program, I got all the kids of the family excited. They quickly put on their kurtas, and we left. We drove into the sounds of the Qur’an filling the streets. The entire area was cordoned off and we entered at the female entrance.

My son was in his element. He raced from section to section and spoke to every person. He sat close to the speakers and listened for a little then raced off and made a whole lot of noise and came back repeatedly. I was extremely worried that he would disturb the others, but as all the children ran around making a huge noise, crying, and squabbling over toys. I could feel the genuine excitement of being in the house of Allah. I sat there with my little three-month-old and the words of Allah poured over me. Alternating between running after my toddler and racing back to hold her- I wondered at the why. Why did it feel so different? Why would people be prepared to sit for hours to with noisy kids and tired babies?

I read Qur’an daily, I listen to Qur’an daily. But that rahma that descends as you sit with many others listening to the words of Allah, fills you. It heals you. We sat for hours just listening and making duas for own children to be blessed by the ability to read and listen to the Kalam of Allah.

It is truly in the gardens of the Qur’an that one finds total rest. People had travelled form the East of the city, from almost two to three hours away to listen to the Kalam of Allah. Taking the kids along seemed crazy, they definitely troubled us- but it was so worth it. May Allah allow our children to grow up in gatherings that ignite the love of His words and may we all value the gatherings of the Qur’an. Ameen

We often understand our acts of Ibadah to be tied to only the physical acts ,like Salah or Siyaam etc. But one act of worship- that allows us to build a deep connection to Allah is that of Muraaqabah. This means to focus on creating a unique relationship with Allah in that you become aware of His presence in every moment. It is the development of the existence of Allah until you begin to drown in the Greatness of Allah and His Perfection. This ultimately leads to finding every comfort in His obedience and even the limbs find its relief and calm in submitting to Him. جل جلاله
Allah Ta’ala highlights this in Surah Luqmaan:
{ ۞وَمَن يُسۡلِمۡ وَجۡهَهُۥٓ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَهُوَ مُحۡسِنٞ فَقَدِ ٱسۡتَمۡسَكَ بِٱلۡعُرۡوَةِ ٱلۡوُثۡقَىٰۗ وَإِلَى ٱللَّهِ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلۡأُمُورِ }
[Surah Luqmân: 22]
Whoever submits his whole self to Allah, and is a doer of good, has grasped indeed the most trustworthy hand-hold: and with Allah rests the End and Decision of (all) affairs.

The focus of Muraaqabah is to worship Allah Ta’ala in such a manner as if you are able to see him , and if this is not possible then with the certainty that Allah sees you.

The pious predecessors busied themselves constantly in developing this awareness of Allah Ta’ala.
Junaid Baghdadi (رحمه الله) was asked regarding lowering the eyes and not looking at strange women . He was asked how is it possible to do so , to which he replied: “By having the certain knowledge that the One who sees everything is gazing at you ,this will serve to turn your gaze away from the creation.

Abdullah ibnul Mubarak said to a man: “Make Muraaqabah of Allah oh so and so! So the man asked him regarding the understanding of Muraaqabah,to which Ibnul Mubarak replied: ” To constantly be in a state as of you are seeing Allah Ta’ala.”
Once Umar (Ra) was travelling with Abdullah ibn Dinar (Ra) to Makkah. On the way they met a shepherd,to whom Umar (Ra) said : ” oh shepherd sell us one of these goats.” The Shepherd replied that these all belong to their owner and he was merely the shepherd. Umar (Ra) said to him : “Tell your master that the wolf ate it-(and you sell it without letting him know). So the shepherd replied: ” Then where is Allah ?”.
Umar (Ra) began to cry at the response of this shepherd. The reality of the awareness of Allah meant that the Shepherd was aware of Allah even as he was far away from his master in the middle of the jungle. At this level of understanding who is Allah , Umar (ra) purchased him from his owner and set him free.
To further understand this we look at the story of Yusuf (as) and Bilqees. In the famous story of the moment when she intended to commit zina , she goes to her idol and covers it with a cloth ,so Yusuf (as) says to her : ” what are you doing?! Are you shy of a pillar whilst I am not shy of the King ,Allah Al Jabbar?!
To achieve this deep understanding of Allah we must constantly speak about Allah until the awareness of His greatness permeates our every moment and every breath.