Remembering Allah (s.w.t.) with a Clear Mind

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ 

The following is a transcript of a discourse given by Mawlana Wafi’ Muhammad. 

Previously, we spoke about the remembrance of Allah (s.w.t.).  Today, insha’Allah, we look at the stages ones goes through in the process of becoming God conscious.  It cannot happen overnight.  It takes time and discipline.  As human beings, we cannot have two separate entities in our mind at one and the same time.  For example we cannot remember Allah (s.w.t.) and think of the worldly acquisitions at the same time.  Allah (s.w.t.) Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ الاٴحزَاب

مَّا جَعَلَ ٱللَّهُ لِرَجُلٍ۬ مِّن قَلۡبَيۡنِ فِى جَوۡفِهِۦ‌ۚ ... (٤) 

Allah has not Made for any man two hearts in his (one) body ... (Surah al-Ahzab:4) 

So human beings cannot engage into two contrasting entitles at one and the same time.  How then do we achieve pure God consciousness?  It is possible through discipline and culturing of the personality.  In relation to this, Allah (s.w.t.) Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ المُزمّل

وَٱذۡكُرِ ٱسۡمَ رَبِّكَ وَتَبَتَّلۡ إِلَيۡهِ تَبۡتِيلاً۬ (٨) 

But keep in remembrance the name of your Lord, and devote yourself to Him wholeheartedly. (Surah al-Muzzammil:8) 

Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) is reported to have said, “Satan puts three knots at the back of the head of any of you if he is asleep.  On every knot he reads and exhales the following words, ‘The night is long, so stay asleep’.  When one wakes up and remembers Allah, one knot is undone; and when one performs ablution, the second knot is undone, and when one prays the third knot is undone and one gets up energetic with a good heart in the morning; otherwise one gets up lazy and with a mischievous heart.”  This is recorded in Swahih al-Bukhari. 

Through the remembrance of Allah (s.w.t.), we can put to rest the scheme of Satan.  The best time to remember Allah (s.w.t.) is when we have finished all our worldly commitments, and any other distractions that are on your mind.  When we are free of all emotional preoccupation, we can communicate properly to our Lord.  Allah (s.w.t.) Makes Mention of this: 

سُوۡرَةُ الشَّرح

فَإِذَا فَرَغۡتَ فَٱنصَبۡ (٧) وَإِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ فَٱرۡغَب (٨) 

Therefore, when you art free (from thine immediate task), still labour hard and to your Lord turn (all) thy attention. (Surah ash-Sharh:7-8) 

Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) emphasised the importance of having a clear mind in the following ahadits: “If the iqamah for prayer is proclaimed and supper is served, take your supper first”.  One of the three acts which are not allowed is for a person to offer prayer while needing to answer the call of nature.  We can see the practicality of Islam.  We devote ourselves to our Lord when our mind is clear and free from any preoccupations.  Nothing should distract us when we are attempting to gain closeness to Allah (s.w.t.).  Satan is smart and he will use our emotional unrest to divert our focus away from Allah (s.w.t.), so all we will really be achieving is the mechanical aspect of prayer. 

Sayyidina ‘Ali ibn Abu Thalib (k.w.) said, “Allah doesn't answer the prayer of a person whose prayer doesn't come from his heart”.  Therefore, one should pray from the depths of his heart and should have a conviction that Allah (s.w.t.) is Watching and Listening to him.  One of the best times to engage in the remembrance of Allah (s.w.t.) is during the night prayer, tahajjud.  When everyone else is asleep and there is relative tranquillity.  At night, there are less distractions, thus a person would be able to concentrate and focus more.  Allah (s.w.t.) Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ المُزمّل

إِنَّ نَاشِئَةَ ٱلَّيۡلِ هِىَ أَشَدُّ وَطۡـًٔ۬ا وَأَقۡوَمُ قِيلاً (٦) 

Truly the rising by night is most potent for governing (the soul), and most suitable for (framing) the Word (of prayer and praise). (Surah al-Muzzammil:6) 

Islam does not want you to stay away from the world.  Instead, we must maintain an appropriate balance and take time out of our daily routine to gain nearness to Allah (s.w.t.).  We should not keep on procrastinating and put off God consciousness.  Every day that passes means one day less in this world.  We must get closer to our Lord and, insha’Allah, He will Look After all our affairs in this world and the next.  May Allah (s.w.t.) always Bless the believers and Enable us to gain nearness to Him and maintain it throughout our lives.