Muraqabah is a form of Islamic mindfulness technique where meditators aim to achieve self-awareness of their relationship with Allah in their body, heart, and mind(1). 

God and Love are as body and soul. God is the mine, Love is the diamond. They have been together since the beginning in every beat of every heart.

-Jami

Muraqabah is a Sufi meditation method which helps practitioners to break free from the illusion of the physical world, so they can find what is authentically real(2). It is believed that our default condition is to exist in an illusion that what we sense in the material world is all there is. With the continuous practice of Muraqabah, meditators can attain spiritual development, which opens the door to the True Reality, the only one that must matter(2).

However, that is not the only benefit of practicing Muraqabah. The technique allows practitioners to reach a state where they realize Allah is watching them always, both inwardly and outwardly(1). This is the knowledge that helps the meditators to find lasting peace. Muraqabah also assists the practitioners to develop better attention, allowing them to become more mindful about their actions, thoughts, and feelings(1).

History/Origins

According to Bab al Mufayalater Masder, Muraqabah implies the act of guarding something carefully or to take care of something(3). It is stated in the Holy Quran that “Allah doth watch over all things,” which is also one of the key aspects of Muraqabah(3).

All know that the drop merges into the ocean, but few know that the ocean merges into the drop.

-Kabir

Benefits of Muraqabah

A study published in the International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences(4) informs that Muraqabah has the ability to help meditators develop healthy emotions. The study was performed on marine students during pre-sea training. Another research paper(5) suggests that such mindfulness techniques can effectively reduce depressive and anxiety disorders. 

 

References

  1. aboutislam.net | Muraqabah – How Mindfulness Can Improve Your Quality of Life by Discovering Islam Team | A Mindful Exercise For Muslims
  2. Islamic Supreme Council of America | The Healing Power of Sufi Meditation by Sayyid Nurjan Mirahmadi and Hedieh Mirahmadi
  3. Psycho Information Technologies | Psychology of Meditation: A Practical Guide to Self-Discovery by Dr. Akbar Husain and Dr. Asif Hasan
  4. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences | Volume 9, No. 11 | 2019 |  The Impact of Implementing Imam al-Ghazali’s Perception on Self-monitoring (Muraqabah) on the Development of Healthy Emotions among Marine Students during the Pre-Sea Training by Khairunnisa A Shukor, Jimaain Safar, Ahmad Firdaus Mohd Noor, Kamarul Azmi Jasmi, Muhd Imran Abd Razak, Mohd Farhan Abd Rahman, Paiz Hassan, Nurul Khairiah Khalid and Mukhamad Khafiz Abdul Basir
  5. American Family Physician | Volume 81, Issue 8 | 2010 |  Exercise, Yoga, and Meditation for Depressive and Anxiety Disorders by Sy Atezaz Saeed, Diana J. Antonacci and Richard M. Bloch