What is Moraqaba? How to do it?

 

What is Moraqaba? How to do it?

The literal meaning of the word Moraqaba (مراقية) is: to observe, to inspect, to supervise, to keep an eye on. In the language of the Tarikir, attaining purity, sitting in a secluded and holy place, closing one's eyes, meditating on the face of the Murshid Karim, that is, keeping one's head bowed in front of one's eyes, keeping one's gaze focused on one's own desires, and keeping the mind alert in the contemplation of Allah the Almighty, is called waiting or waiting. Considering oneself as lowly and inferior, expressing respect and devotion to the greatness of Allah Almighty, and humbly waiting for the grace or light with a single heart. Keeping a sharp eye on the mind like a hunter waiting for the prey with a single heart. At this time, it is better to keep the tongue and body still and keep the remembrance of Allah in the heart.

In fact, there are two types of deeds. One type of deeds is external, such as the actions of the hands, feet, eyes, mouth, etc., which everyone knows. Another type of action is the act of burning and this is called Moraqaba. Moraqaba means that you should strengthen the belief in your heart that Allah Almighty is watching you. In fact, Moraqaba is the process of reaching the soul to its destination and goal while meditating. That is, protecting and guarding the heart from other than Allah and becoming absorbed in the contemplation of Allah is called Muraqaba. As Allah the Almighty says: اینما تولوا فسما وجه الل  Pronunciation: Ainama Tuwalu Fasamma Wajahullah. Meaning: Wherever you turn, the Face of your Lord is there. Elsewhere in the Holy Quran, Allah the Almighty says: ان في ذالك لاية لقوم يتفكرون Pronunciation: Inna-fi zaalika la-ayatil liqaomii yatafaqaroon. Meaning: Indeed, Our signs are for those who reflect. Elsewhere, Allah the Almighty says: ان في ذالك لاية لقوم يعقلون Pronunciation: Inna-fi zalika la-ayatil liqaomii ya'jibileun. That is, surely Our signs are for those who have knowledge.

In this way, by performing various levels of meditation, the hearts of the disciples become illuminated and they gain much knowledge and vision of the unseen. As a result of this vision, immersed in love and in a state of ecstasy, sometimes even a word can come out of the hearts of true lovers in a state of unconsciousness. Hazrat Junun Mishri (may Allah have mercy on him) said, "The more one has been able to immerse himself in Allah, the more he has come to know Him." Sufi saint Hazrat Gharib-e-Nawaz Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "Where a loveless, indifferent worshipper would reach with a thousand rak'ahs of prayer, a person intoxicated with the love of his Master reaches that place with the sound of a single 'Ah'." In fact, the one whose heart is filled with the attraction of love is the one who devotes himself more to the meditation or contemplation of Allah Ta'ala and is able to ascend to such an unimaginable heavenly realm and attain union with Him. Allah Ta'ala has declared in the Holy Quran: سَنُرِيهِمْ آيَاتِنَا فِي الْآفَاقِ وَفِي أَنْفُسِهِمْ Pronunciation: Thanurihim ayatina fil a-faqti wafi anfusihim. That is, We (Allah) will soon show them Our signs in the entire universe and within themselves. (Surah Ha-Meem As-Sajdah-53)

Regarding the description of the virtues of Muraqaba, the beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said in a hadith narrated by Hazrat Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him): فكر ساعة خير من عبادة ستين سنة Pronunciation: Fikru sa-ati khairum min ibadati chittina sanah. That is, "A moment of meditation (one hour) is better than sixty years of voluntary worship." Morakaba is an act of the heart or the mind, so there is no fear of showing off or showing off. The blessed light of Allah Ta'ala is reflected in the mirror of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Through the intercession of the Pir-Murshid with the Barzakh, the Salek or Murid can attain the vision of that light in his own mirror called Kulab. This is the saying of the Aref Sufis. Thus, those who have walked the path of Allah Almighty in search of the Great Truth; they are the ones who have been able to establish friendship with Allah Almighty and have been awarded the honorable titles of Arefin, Kamelin, Salehin and Auliya etc.; for whom the good news has been announced in the Holy Quran: الا ان اولياء الله لا خوف عليهم ولا هم يحزنون الذين امنوا و كانوا يتقون لهم البشرى في الحياة الدنيا و في الآخرة ، لا تبديل لكمات الله ذالك هو الفوز العظيم Pronunciation: Ala inna auliya - Allahi la-khaofun alayhim wa-la-hum yahzanun, allazina a-manu waqanu yattaqun, lahumul bushra fil hayatid dunya wafil akhira, la-tabdila likalimatillahi zaalika huwal fawzul azeem. That is, "Beware! Surely the friends of Allah (Awliya) have no fear, nor will they grieve. Those who believe and fear Allah; for them are good news in this worldly life and the Hereafter. There is no change in the words of Allah. That is the great success." (Surah Yunus-62)

Allah Almighty bestows special grace upon such friends from the very beginning of their lives, in order to enable them to reach the state of Kamaliyat (spiritual perfection), by instilling in them the virtues of a Prophet, that is, good character, and He developed them to worship Allah Almighty with great devotion, to live a pure life with gratitude and patience, and to perform difficult sadhana or riyaz to attain knowledge and union with the Lord.