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Contemplation: The Way to Divine Presence

Awaken to Presence Transform your life. w orkshop series. Contemplation: The Way to Divine Presence. Dr. M. Omar March 2012, Orlando www.islamfromwithin.net. Meaning. Contemplation ( Tafakkur ): to actively and deeply think and reflect.

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Contemplation: The Way to Divine Presence

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  1. Awaken to PresenceTransform your life workshop series Contemplation: The Way to Divine Presence Dr. M. Omar March 2012, Orlando www.islamfromwithin.net

  2. Meaning Contemplation (Tafakkur): toactivelyanddeeplythinkandreflect

  3. الَّذِينَيَذْكُرُونَاللَّهَقِيَامًاوَقُعُودًاوَعَلَىٰجُنُوبِهِمْوَيَتَفَكَّرُونَفِيخَلْقِالسَّمَاوَاتِوَالْأَرْضِرَبَّنَامَاخَلَقْتَهَٰذَابَاطِلًاسُبْحَانَكَفَقِنَاعَذَابَالنَّارِالَّذِينَيَذْكُرُونَاللَّهَقِيَامًاوَقُعُودًاوَعَلَىٰجُنُوبِهِمْوَيَتَفَكَّرُونَفِيخَلْقِالسَّمَاوَاتِوَالْأَرْضِرَبَّنَامَاخَلَقْتَهَٰذَابَاطِلًاسُبْحَانَكَفَقِنَاعَذَابَالنَّارِ Those who remember God when they stand, and when they sit, and when they lie down to sleep, and contemplateon the creation of the heavens and the earth: “O our Sustainer! You have not created this without meaning and purpose. Limitless are You in Your glory! Keep us safe, then, from suffering through fire!” (Quran 3:191)

  4. Saying of ProphetMuhammad (p): “An hour of contemplation is betterthan a year of worship”(Suyutî, Jamiu’s-saghir, 2/127; Ajlûnî, 1/310)

  5. “contemplation is better than remembrance, because contemplation is remembrance and much more” “contemplation is better than all actions of worship.” -Imam Ghazali

  6. Withdraw the heart into the arena of contemplation, nothing helps the heart more than that! Contemplationis the lamp of the heart; so when it goes away, the heart has no illumination -SidiIbnAta’illah of Alexandria

  7. Why is contemplation this important? What is the secret?

  8. What to contemplate? Everything in creation (including ourselves), every action, every moment can be utilized for contemplation The Quran urges us to contemplate in tens of places directly, and in thousands of places indirectly.

  9. How to do it? The Method of Quranic Contemplation4 ingredients:

  10. You look in the mirror…

  11. You look in the mirror…

  12. Now, let’s look at and contemplate the universe

  13. The writer of a book explains herself using letters… If we intend to look at the letters, we cannot read what she says, we cannot know the writer… The letters are only there to get the meaning of the book, they’re not there for themselves. Things in existence are like alphabet letters.. They’re there to bring the meaning from the writer… Things in existence are like the mirror glass. They are there to show the attributes of their Creator.

  14. You contemplate the universe…

  15. Outcome… We see the Sustainer directly, the sustenance indirectly We see the Beautiful directly, the beauties indirectly … Everything in the universe bears the meaning of its Creator

  16. You contemplate the universe…

  17. Transformational Contemplation is from within… أَوَلَمْيَتَفَكَّرُوافِيأَنفُسِهِمۗمَّاخَلَقَاللَّهُالسَّمَاوَاتِوَالْأَرْضَوَمَابَيْنَهُمَاإِلَّابِالْحَقِّوَأَجَلٍمُّسَمًّىۗوَإِنَّكَثِيرًامِّنَالنَّاسِبِلِقَاءِرَبِّهِمْلَكَافِرُونَ Do they not reflect within themselves: God has not created the heavens and the earth and all that is between them without [an inner] truth and a term set [by Him]: and yet, behold, there are many people who stubbornly deny the truth that they are destined to meet their Sustainer! (Quran 30:8)

  18. Transformational Contemplation is from within… • Intention • I do not own myself, my God is the source of all of my attributes. (If I am conscious, He must be, too/ If I hear, He must, too! • My God, I want to know you: Show me! • “Read in the name of your Creator” (Quran 96:1) • Viewpoint • I look at the things indirectly (like the mirror glass) • Wow! Everything shows You! Everything You are present everywhere! You are talking to me! You are communicating, right now! • Outcome • Wow, how beautifully you create everything my God! • You are the source of all beauty; how Beautiful You are • Everything is changing constantly; how full of Life You are • You take care of every little detail; how Loving and Graceful You are

  19. Fruit Contemplation is a lightthatmeltsheedlessnessandallillusions Contemplation is thewayforthehearttocomeclosertoGodandtofeel His Divine Presence

  20. Inspiration and Spiritual Gifts Contemplation is a window to receive spiritual gifts/inspiration…

  21. The outcome of contemplation depends on the intention and the viewpoint…

  22. The outcome of contemplation depends on the intention and the viewpoint.

  23. The outcome of contemplation depends on the intention and the viewpoint.

  24. The outcome of contemplation depends on the intention and the viewpoint.

  25. Quick Comparison • 1, 2, and 3 • 4 • Contemplation is outside • Multiplicity • Heedlessness • Ego-driven • Loneliness • Contemplating from within • Oneness • Awareness • God-driven • God is my friend

  26. “An hour of contemplation is betterthan a year of worship”(Suyutî, Jamiu’s-saghir, 2/127; Ajlûnî, 1/310) Level of knowledge of God Before Contemplation After Contemplation

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