The Meaning of Remembrance (Murakaba) and Feeling Allah
Murakaba is the deep feeling of a servant that Allah sees, hears, and knows him at every moment, in every movement, and even in every thought. “Murakaba and Muhasebe” mentioned by Imam Ghazali among the ways to salvation, is the clearest evidence of reaching the dimension of ihsan (excellence) in faith. Our Prophet (peace be upon him) defined ihsan as “worshipping Allah as if you see Him; and though you do not see Him, He surely sees you.” “Murakaba is when the heart knows itself to be near the Exalted Allah.” This awareness purifies the believer’s intentions and protects him from hypocrisy (riya), both outwardly and inwardly, and from falling into shirk (polytheism).
The Importance of Accounting for the Self (Muhasebe)
Spiritual training begins with a person confronting their own shortcomings and holding themselves accountable. “The most effective thing between a person and Allah is self-accounting.” Great saints would, at nightfall, review each action they had performed that day, seek forgiveness for their mistakes, give thanks to Allah for their good deeds. The wise person is one who judges himself and trains his nafs (self) in this world, before being held accountable in the great court of the Day of Judgment. Opposing the nafs, extinguishing the fire of pride and desires, is only possible through strict self-accounting.
Preserving Time and Divine Presence
For those devoted to Murakaba, the most valuable capital is the “moment.” The servant knows that time spent without remembering the Mighty and Exalted Allah between one breath and the next is wasted. A person who consumes their breaths in heedlessness has missed out on the greatest opportunities in eternal life. The believer who lives outwardly with the etiquette of Sharia and inwardly with the attentiveness of Murakaba begins to read the manifestation of Divine Power in every particle of existence. The servant who makes all his actions, both hidden and manifest, conform to the pleasure of Allah is safe from the deceptions of the nafs and attains true tranquility.