How To Perform Muraqaba 2

For muraqaba, it is advisable to sit quietly and alone in a dark peaceful room where one is able to focus all thoughts and attention on receiving enlightenment.

The main forms of Muraqaba or spiritual chain are given below. 

• Visualizing the Sacred Name:

This is when one visualizes the Name of Allah i.e. Allahu, upon his/her heart and therefore focuses on the attributes of Allah leaving no other thought but Him. All focus must be upon the Creator.

For this, the eyes must be closed, visualizing the words ‘Allah’ engraved onto your heart. Some also prefer to visualize the Name of ‘Muhammad’ upon their hearts too as the Beloved Messenger source intermediary for us to Allah at all times. The one visualising must then recite ‘Allah’ in his/her mind whilst breathing in through the nose, and recite ‘Hu’ whilst exhaling through the mouth.

In this manner, the breathing of such a person becomes engaged in repeating ‘Allahu’ with every breath thus making the heart say the Name of God.

It is reported that Imam al-Ghazali said, “Zikr is, in its reality, the progressive Power of the Named One on the heart, while the Zikr itself wears away and disappears.”

This is in reference to the deep absorption and intensity which pure hearts are able to attain when involved in Muraqaba. Eventually only the Presence of Allah remains in such a heart, whilst the Name, having completed its purpose, fades away.

Permission  for Muraqaba

One must have the permission of their Spiritual Guide before beginning on the journey of Muraqaba, or indeed any type of Wazaa’if (recitation); your Spiritual Guide is your source of guidance, and he knows what is best for your current state and condition.

Khwaja Shah Baha’uddin al-Naqshband said regarding this, “The permission for the zikr must be given by the Perfected One (your Spiritual Guide), in order to influence the one who is using it; just as the arrow from a master of archery is better than the arrow shot from the bow of an ordinary person.”