Ten Steps to Allah. Step 8: Reflection
As we get closer to Ramadan, focusing on what we are seeking through our devotions is ever more crucial. The ultimate aim of any Muslim is to gain the closeness of Allah Most High. Shaykh Faraz Rabbani gives us clear guidelines with 10 key steps on the path to Allah Most High elucidating for us how to get closer to Allah.
Step 8 is reflection upon Allah. Shaykh Faraz Rabbani sheds light on what reflection means, what to reflect upon, and how to bring this practice into our daily lives.
Step 8: Reflection
Reflection is the fuel of hearts. Without this fuel, the lamp of the heart remains in darkness. We need to reflect upon the attributes of Allah, Most High, and the names of Allah, Most High. We need to take some time to learn sound Islamic beliefs in a manner that it gives us the capacity to reflect, and that is one of the merits of studying Islamic beliefs with teachers connected to those who understand the way of Prophetic Guidance.
We should also reflect upon Allah, Most High, by learning more about the 99 names of Allah, Most High, by studying about them, reflecting upon them by turning to Allah through mentioning these names. We have some very good resources on Seekers including an entire course on understanding the most beautiful names of Allah.
We also reflect on the actions of Allah. These include Creation. Creation is a sign of the Creator. If we reflect upon the marvel of creation, the perfection of creation, the beauty of creation, the wisdom in creation we see that creation points to the Creator just as art points to an artist.
We should also reflect on ourselves and our reality. Who am I? What am I supposed to be doing in this life. The reality of our death. The reality of our responsibility. The reality of what you know you must do to rectify your relationship with Allah and then reflect on how to make good your relationship with Allah. How do you become a truly grateful servant? How do you become a truly hopeful servant? How do you become a servant who is truly reliant upon Allah? How do you become a beloved servant of Allah? Reflection on one’s own state helps one turn to Allah.
Another thing to reflect upon is the examples of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) through the study of his shama’il, his character, life story, and teachings.
Also reflect on the lives of the past prophets, the lives of the scholars, and the righteous. Why? To derive inspiration, to change your relationship with Allah.
A moment of reflection is worth more than a lifetime of devotion. May Allah grant us a lifetime of reflection so that our hearts reflect the light of Allah, Most High.
The episode can be found on this link Ramadan 2020 Reminders | Episode 27: Ten Steps to Allah – 08 – Reflection | Shaykh Faraz Rabbani – YouTube
About the Author
Shaykh Faraz Rabbani spent ten years studying with some of the leading scholars of recent times, first in Damascus, and then in Amman, Jordan. His teachers include the foremost theologian of recent times in Damascus, the late Shaykh Adib al-Kallas (may Allah have mercy on him), as well as his student Shaykh Hassan al-Hindi, one of the leading Hanafi fuqaha of the present age.
He returned to Canada in 2007, where he founded SeekersGuidance in order to meet the urgent need to spread Islamic knowledge–both online and on the ground–in a reliable, relevant, inspiring, and accessible manner. He is the author of Absolute Essentials of Islam: Faith, Prayer, and the Path of Salvation According to the Hanafi School (White Thread Press, 2004.) Since 2011, Shaykh Faraz has been named one of the 500 most influential Muslims by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center.
