Question:
I read in the Al-Quran’s translation about “…people who reflect.”
What does it mean to reflect and is there a method used by the Rasul when he “reflect”?
I imagine that if one were to reflect, it is almost as if he is in a state of ‘day-dreaming’ or ‘thought-processing’ or like what my friend would say: “trance”.
How should a muslim REFLECT?
Answer:
a`udhu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajeem
Bismillahi ‘r-Rahmani ‘r-Raheem:
It is a deep and important subject that we are encouraged to keep studying. The basic meaning is: those who give thought, use their minds, meditate. The Prophet (saws) was known to be often silent and contemplative. In the cave, before the revelation, he was in meditation and contemplation.
Allah (swt) says, “Those who remember Allah standing, sitting, and on their sides and give thought to the creation of the heavens and earth” (Aali Imran, 191) as the ulul albab, people of deep understanding.
Through dhikr and meditating on creation you move towards deeper understanding. A Muslim should be conscious of his negative and positive qualities and turn to Allah in order to rid of harmful qualities (i.e. anger, jealousy, love of dunya) he identifies and acquire praiseworthy qualities reflected from Allah (swt), Prophet (saws) and AwliyaAllah— Friends of Allah.
Wallahu Alam.
Kamau Ayyubi
