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

2. Meaning Contemplation (Tafakkur): to actively and deeply think and reflect

3. الَّذِينَ يَذْكُرُونَ اللَّهَ قِيَامًا وَقُعُودًا وَعَلَىٰ جُنُوبِهِمْ وَيَتَفَكَّرُونَ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ رَبَّنَا مَا خَلَقْتَ هَٰذَا بَاطِلًا سُبْحَانَكَ فَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ Those who remember God when they stand, and when they sit, and when they lie down to sleep, and contemplate on 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 Prophet Muhammad (p): “An hour of contemplation is better than 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! Contemplation is the lamp of the heart; so when it goes away, the heart has no illumination -Sidi Ibn Ata’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 Contemplation 4 ingredients: IntentionViewpoint Bears the meaning of another (Indirect) Bears the meaning of itself (direct)

10. ①You look in the mirror… Intention You intend to look at the mirror glass Viewpoint You see based on your intention You see the glass directly You see your image indirectly Outcome You gain knowledge of the mirror glass You are in direct communication with the mirror glass

11. ②You look in the mirror… Intention You intend to look at yourself in the mirror Viewpoint You see based on your intention You see the glass indirectly You see your image directly (the glass bears the meaning of your image) Outcome You gain knowledge of your face You are in direct communication with your face

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. ②You contemplate the universe… Intention You know you are not the Source of your attributes, nor the things are. You intend to look at things in the name of their Creator Viewpoint You see based on your intention You see the attributes of the Creator directly You see the things indirectly Outcome You are in Divine Presence God is here, now!

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

16. ①You contemplate the universe… Intention You intend to look at things as independent entities that possess their own qualities Viewpoint You see based on your intention You see the things directly You see the attributes of the Creator indirectly Outcome God is far away, somewhere there, some theoretical concept I know indirectly

17. Transformational Contemplation is from within… أَوَلَمْ يَتَفَكَّرُوا فِي أَنفُسِهِم ۗ مَّا خَلَقَ اللَّهُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا إِلَّا بِالْحَقِّ وَأَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى ۗ وَإِنَّ كَثِيرًا مِّنَ النَّاسِ بِلِقَاءِ رَبِّهِمْ لَكَافِرُونَ 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. 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) Intention 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! Viewpoint 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 Outcome Transformational Contemplation is from within…

19. Fruit Contemplation is a light that melts heedlessness and all illusions Contemplation is the way for the heart to come closer to God and to feel 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… 1234 Intention No need to go deep, just enjoy your life while you are alive I am a good person… I am a good believer I will see in the name of my Creator; Show me God Viewpoint Things -> Direct view Creator -> Very very very indirect view Things -> Direct view Creator -> Very very indirect view Things -> Direct view Creator -> Very indirect view Things -> Indirect view Creator -> Direct view Outcome How can I utilize everything to my own benefit? (utility maximization) Nature is wonderful, I love mother naure It is an emotional, but bitter view Nature is wonderful; its Creator muse be, too! The creator is somewhere there, far away… Divine Presence (My God is here, right now with me) I can almost see Him!

22. The outcome of contemplation depends on the intention and the viewpoint. 1234 Intention No need to go deep, just enjoy your life while you are alive I am a good person… I am a good believer I will see in the name of my Creator; Show me God Viewpoint Things -> Direct view Creator -> Very very very indirect view Things -> Direct view Creator -> Very very indirect view Things -> Direct view Creator -> Very indirect view Things -> Indirect view Creator -> Direct view Outcome How can I utilize everything to my own benefit? (utility maximization) Nature is wonderful, I love mother naure It is an emotional, but bitter view Nature is wonderful; its Creator muse be, too! The creator is somewhere there, far away… Divine Presence (My God is here, right now with me) I can almost see Him!

23. The outcome of contemplation depends on the intention and the viewpoint. 1234 Intention No need to go deep, just enjoy your life while you are alive I am a good person… I am a good believer I will see in the name of my Creator; Show me God Viewpoint Things -> Direct view Creator -> Very very very indirect view Things -> Direct view Creator -> Very very indirect view Things -> Direct view Creator -> Very indirect view Things -> Indirect view Creator -> Direct view Outcome How can I utilize everything to my own benefit? (utility maximization) Nature is wonderful, I love mother naure It is an emotional, but bitter view Nature is wonderful; its Creator muse be, too! The creator is somewhere there, far away… Divine Presence (My God is here, right now with me) I can almost see Him!

24. The outcome of contemplation depends on the intention and the viewpoint. 1234 Intention No need to go deep, just enjoy your life while you are alive I am a good person… I am a good believer I will see in the name of my Creator; Show me God Viewpoint Things -> Direct view Creator -> Very very very indirect view Things -> Direct view Creator -> Very very indirect view Things -> Direct view Creator -> Very indirect view Things -> Indirect view Creator -> Direct view Outcome How can I utilize everything to my own benefit? (utility maximization) Nature is wonderful, I love mother naure It is an emotional, but bitter view Nature is wonderful; its Creator muse be, too! The creator is somewhere there, far away… Divine Presence (My God is here, right now with me) I can almost see Him!

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

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