How Does One Practice Muraqaba?
Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
Question
I am gradually building more supplementary spiritual practices into my daily life alongside the Five Pillars. I am interested in cultivating a method of silent muraqabah, but I am not sure where to direct my focus. Imam al-Ghazali and several other writers state that the focus should be entirely on Allah. In practical terms, I’m not sure what this would look like. Do you have any advice?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. May Allah alleviate our difficulties and guide us to that which is pleasing to Him. Amin.
Muraqaba is a concept in Islamic spirituality that one should learn from the master (shaykhs or shuyukh). The Masters of the Naqshabandi order have specific and clear teachings about Muraqaba that one should learn directly from them.
Here are some helpful links to learn more about the details of the concept.
Muraqaba (Vigilance): The Key to Comprehensive Good – Al- Maqasid Podcast – Shaykh Yahya Rhodus
Watching Over Oneself – Living Hearts Series
Standing Vigil Over Myself
I pray this is of benefit and that Allah guides us all.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar, Shaykh Taha Karaan.
Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Mawlana Yusuf Karaan, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.
He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has served as the Director of the Discover Islam Centre and Al Jeem Foundation. For the last five years till present, he has served as the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.
Shaykh Irshaad has thirteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic online learning and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy living and fitness.
