A Critical Review of Shamsuddin Azeemi's "Murāqabah" through the Lens of The Qur’ān and Hadīth

Abstract

Meditation is an ancient practice that allows people to think about the existence and the main purpose of their lives. It has various forms and is associated with the different religions. Meditation in Islamic societies/cultures is linked with Sufism (Mysticism). During meditation Sufis follow certain practices; most of which are common among different Sufi Schools (Silsila) including Murāqabah. This research article critically analyses the famous practice of Murāqabah, also presented by Khawaja Shamsuddin Azeemi, in his manuscript “Murāqabah: The Art and Science of Sufi Meditation.” Azeemi states that Murāqabah is one of the ways of achieving closeness to Allah and attaining gnosis (maʽrifa Allah). Azeemi has presented Sufi rituals systematically covering the fundamental aspects of meditation (mysticism) that comprises prayer (Du'a), contemplation (Murāqabah), and invocation (Dhikr). Khawaja Shamsuddin Azeemi’s book is a complete manual containing detailed guidelines regarding Murāqabah and its various forms with emphasis that practicing Murāqabah will help “to attain closeness to Allah”. According to the Holy Qur’ān and Hadith, closeness to Allah can be obtained by offering Salah, Tahajjud and sitting for Itikāf in the month of Ramazan. The critical analysis through the lens of the Holy Qur’ān and Hadith shows that neither is the term “Murāqabah” mentioned in the Holy Qur’ān and Hadiths nor is there any evident proof for the diverse rites and rituals associated with the practice of Murāqabah. It is a term coined specifically by the Sufis, along with its various forms and rituals.