Sufi Meditation: Growing Closer to Allah

Many of the techniques used by Sufi orders are based upon the historical example set by the prophet Muhammad. Some orders even go to the extreme lengths of Sufi meditation retreats lasting up to 40 days. The linking of Sufism to the historical example set my Muhammad is so extreme, there were stories of Sufists refusing to eat fruits that weren’t specifically proven to have been consumed by him.

It is unclear exactly when Sufism began. There’s even suggestions that it may predate Islam, and just incorporated it into their belief system, but this is not conclusive. Sufism became formalized in the twelfth century when certain orders began to codify their systems.

Much like in Muslim prayer, one much conduct a washing ritual before practising Sufi meditation. Be sure to give attention to the cleansing of hands, because they may have come in contact with the impure throughout the day. The feet should also be washed, in addition to the private parts if one has recently used the toilet.

It is suggested that the best time to practice Sufi meditation is late at night, preferably after midnight. Practitioners will find that since most people are asleep and there’s less external stimuli, that this is an easier time to have a beneficial meditation.

The best place to practice Muraqabah is somewhere quiet in your home where you are unlikely to be disturbed. It should also be somewhere without any outside light coming in. The only light should be a candle or oil lamp. Set out a prayer rug and face in the same direction as you would during prayer.

There are multiple methods of Sufi meditation and whole books have been written about the subject. Here is only a quick overview of some of the methods used to help one become closer to the divine.

1. Dhikr: Focus Upon a Mantra

One of the most straight-forward methods is to focus upon a mantra, or Dhikr as it’s called in the Islamic faith. Often one kneels upon the prayer rug and repeats a phrase or prayer, though the position is less important than in other meditation methods. Some people like to use prayer beads to count the repetitions. The easiest Dhikr is to simply repeat Allah.

Many choose to synchronize this with the breath, inhaling with the first syllable and exhaling with the second. This practice is said to “inscribe the name of God on the heart”. Some even choose to write the name of God repeatedly to help focus on it. It is only natural for the mind to wander during meditation, so having a dhikr is an easy way to bring the focus back to God. When the mind begins to wander, one could repeat a verse from the Quran until a meditative state is obtained again. Instead of a mantra, some choose to practice something akin to mindfulness meditation, where the focus is on the sensation of breathing.

It is highly recommended that if one wishes to begin a practice of Sufi meditation, they should join a Sufi order. This would put them in contact with masters who can lead them on a spiritual path. There are even meditation methods that stem from focusing on a deep love and devotion for a master, which can then be transferred onto a love for God.

In muraqabah, the seeker (the person practicing) detaches himself from worldly distractions and concerns to focus solely on spiritual growth. This involves deep contemplation and meditation under the guidance of a Sufi teacher or shaykh. The shaykh provides initial guidance, and the seeker then meditates upon it, focusing on his or her inner subtle centers of consciousness. This focused meditation nourishes the spiritual insights provided by the shaykh.

Given that this is a religious practice, it can be hard to have well-designed clinical studies of its benefits. The best we can do is look at reported spiritual benefits or generalize the effects of other similar styles of meditation. Overall, one should be a bit critical of much of the research on meditation, as not all studies are of high quality.

If a breathing practice is used with Sufi meditation, this can possibly have some benefits including a reduction in stress and anxiety, which are some of the positive effects of meditation in general. There’s been studies that show that Sufi meditation specifically shows a similar effect. Some researchers are looking into the viability of using muraqabah as a supplemental therapy for anxiety and depression sufferers. It has been reported that these devotional practices can induce a hypnosis-like effect that may be very relaxing for some. Stress-releasing activities such as this may have a positive effect on our immune systems.

There is some suggestion that the whirling meditation can be beneficial. It is said to create a feeling of ecstasy, which shouldn’t be a surprise when people are spinning around in circles. It may release endorphins. Still, the claims don’t seem to have much scientific backing.

Even if the results of this practice are nothing more than a placebo, some theorize that the effects of placebos are strengthened by a strong belief system such as a religion. There are enough interesting developments that it may be worth exploring for people of the Islamic faith.

Updated: July 30, 2024. – This article was originally published on February 5, 2021.