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

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Page 1: Contemplation: The Way to Divine Presence Dr. M. Omar March 2012, Orlando   Awaken to Presence Transform

Contemplation: The Way to Divine Presence

Dr. M. OmarMarch 2012, Orlando

www.islamfromwithin.net

Awaken to PresenceTransform your life

workshop series

Page 2: Contemplation: The Way to Divine Presence Dr. M. Omar March 2012, Orlando   Awaken to Presence Transform

Meaning

Contemplation (Tafakkur): to actively and deeply think and reflect

Page 3: Contemplation: The Way to Divine Presence Dr. M. Omar March 2012, Orlando   Awaken to Presence Transform

ف�ي ون� �ر� �ف�ك �ت و�ي �ه�م� �وب ن ج� و�ع�ل�ى� و�ق�ع�ود$ا �ام$ا ق�ي �ه� الل ون� �ر� �ذ�ك ي �ذ�ين� ال�ا ف�ق�ن �ك� �ح�ان ب س� �اط�ال$ ب ه��ذ�ا �ق�ت� خ�ل م�ا �ا �ن ب ر� ر�ض�

� و�األ� م�او�ات� الس� خ�ل�ق��ار� الن ع�ذ�اب�

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)

Page 4: Contemplation: The Way to Divine Presence Dr. M. Omar March 2012, Orlando   Awaken to Presence Transform

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)

Page 5: Contemplation: The Way to Divine Presence Dr. M. Omar March 2012, Orlando   Awaken to Presence Transform

“contemplation is better than remembrance, because contemplation is remembrance and

much more”

“contemplation is better than all actions of worship.”

-Imam Ghazali

Page 6: Contemplation: The Way to Divine Presence Dr. M. Omar March 2012, Orlando   Awaken to Presence Transform

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

Page 7: Contemplation: The Way to Divine Presence Dr. M. Omar March 2012, Orlando   Awaken to Presence Transform

Why is contemplation this important?

What is the secret?

Page 8: Contemplation: The Way to Divine Presence Dr. M. Omar March 2012, Orlando   Awaken to Presence Transform

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.

Page 9: Contemplation: The Way to Divine Presence Dr. M. Omar March 2012, Orlando   Awaken to Presence Transform

How to do it? The Method of Quranic Contemplation

4 ingredients:

Intention Viewpoint

Bears the meaning of

another (Indirect)

Bears the meaning of itself

(direct)

Page 10: Contemplation: The Way to Divine Presence Dr. M. Omar March 2012, Orlando   Awaken to Presence Transform

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

Page 11: Contemplation: The Way to Divine Presence Dr. M. Omar March 2012, Orlando   Awaken to Presence Transform

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

Page 12: Contemplation: The Way to Divine Presence Dr. M. Omar March 2012, Orlando   Awaken to Presence Transform

Now, let’s look at and contemplate the universe

Page 13: Contemplation: The Way to Divine Presence Dr. M. Omar March 2012, Orlando   Awaken to Presence Transform

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.

Page 14: Contemplation: The Way to Divine Presence Dr. M. Omar March 2012, Orlando   Awaken to Presence Transform

② You 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!

Page 15: Contemplation: The Way to Divine Presence Dr. M. Omar March 2012, Orlando   Awaken to Presence Transform

We see the Sustainer directly, the sustenance indirectlyWe see the Beautiful directly, the beauties indirectly

Outcome…

Everything in the universe bears the meaning of its Creator

Page 16: Contemplation: The Way to Divine Presence Dr. M. Omar March 2012, Orlando   Awaken to Presence Transform

① You 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

Page 17: Contemplation: The Way to Divine Presence Dr. M. Omar March 2012, Orlando   Awaken to Presence Transform

Transformational Contemplation is from within…

ل��ا إ�� لا ه ل� ي ل� ل�ا ل� ل� ي� ل�ا ي� ل�� إ� ل�� لا ل�� �ل ه� ل�� �ل ل� ل� ل� ل��ا � إم إ� ه� ل��ن إ"ي ه#�� ل�$ ل� ل% ل& يم لل ل� ل��ل' ه#� إ" ل$ا لل يم إ ب� ل� إ( ل*ا إ� إ� إ+ ��ا ل �ل ل, ب� ر#� إ. ل/ ل�' إ�� ل� � ر�ى ل� ه�� ل1 ل3 ل�� ل� ب� ل4 يل إ�ا

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)

Page 18: Contemplation: The Way to Divine Presence Dr. M. Omar March 2012, Orlando   Awaken to Presence Transform

• 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…

Page 19: Contemplation: The Way to Divine Presence Dr. M. Omar March 2012, Orlando   Awaken to Presence Transform

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

Page 20: Contemplation: The Way to Divine Presence Dr. M. Omar March 2012, Orlando   Awaken to Presence Transform

Inspiration and Spiritual Gifts

Contemplation is a window to receive spiritual gifts/inspiration…

Page 21: Contemplation: The Way to Divine Presence Dr. M. Omar March 2012, Orlando   Awaken to Presence Transform

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

1 2 3 4

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!

Page 22: Contemplation: The Way to Divine Presence Dr. M. Omar March 2012, Orlando   Awaken to Presence Transform

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

1 2 3 4

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!

Page 23: Contemplation: The Way to Divine Presence Dr. M. Omar March 2012, Orlando   Awaken to Presence Transform

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

1 2 3 4

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!

Page 24: Contemplation: The Way to Divine Presence Dr. M. Omar March 2012, Orlando   Awaken to Presence Transform

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

1 2 3 4

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!

Page 25: Contemplation: The Way to Divine Presence Dr. M. Omar March 2012, Orlando   Awaken to Presence Transform

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

Page 26: Contemplation: The Way to Divine Presence Dr. M. Omar March 2012, Orlando   Awaken to Presence Transform

“An hour of contemplation is better than a year of worship”(Suyutî, Jamiu’s-saghir, 2/127; Ajlûnî,

1/310)

Before Contemplation After Contemplation

Level of knowledge of God