Muraqabah and Mind Peacefulness

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About The Course

Al Balagh is offering this first-of-its-kind online course on Muraqabah (Islamic Meditation/ Mind peacefulness). It will take you through a list of guided meditations. This course aims to help you practice presence, reduce stress, anxiety, and gain the ability to remember, control your mind and desires, and become more disciplined and mindful in all areas of life.

These unique course modules are inspired by Quranic verses and Ahadith, which will be used as starting points to a contemplative reflection upon and exploration of the state of meditation, or what we call meditative presence, during guided conscious breathing (Muraqabah) sessions. These guided meditations have been developed and adapted to suit Muslims’ needs and sensitivities, over a period of six years, by Dr. Hasan Awan, MD primarily through monthly workshops on Islamic Meditation (Muraqabah).

Finally, the course will use the Five Pillars of Islam as starting points for contemplative reflections concerning how each, in their own way, mutually reinforce the qualities or attributes of meditative presence and living a spiritual life of religion with presence. In other words, the course will provide guided meditations out of the wisdom and inner meanings contained in the Five Pillars. The intention is to contemplatively experience and explore the spiritual presence of the Five Pillars (Arkan) of the Deen to deepen one’s sense of presence of heart when performing or acting upon the Pillars and applying them to everyday living.

Students will learn how the techniques used in Muraqabah can be adapted and used as mindfulness-based stress reduction, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, meditation, transcendental meditation, mind-body techniques (meditation, relaxation), and body-mind techniques. Although Muraqabah might not be effective for all mental health issues, it is highly recommended as a possible value for treating symptomatic anxiety, depression, and pain. However, Muslim clinicians must be properly trained in classical Suﬁ traditions before using these Muraqabah techniques in their clinical practice.

Students will also gain the ability to control their thoughts which will indirectly improve their spirituality. It will assist them in their worship and give them the strength to do good and forbid evil, helping them become closer to Allah every day.

Course Team

Dr Rafaqat Rashid

(Academic Director, Al Balagh Academy, UK)

Dr Hasan Awan

(MD. Islamic Society of Baltimore Health Clinic and Private Practice, Internal Medicine)

Shaykh Amin Kholwadia

(Founder of Darul Qasim, Chicago, USA)

AT A GLANCE

17 Live Online Sessions

Duration : 6 months

Saturday, 5PM - 6:30PM (London, UK)

Video Recordings Available

Access to Mobile App

Personalised Feedback

Certificate

From £13.33/Month

(For 6 Months)

Enrol Now

Starts on 13th May 2023

Course Fee

Pay in Full: ~~£79.99~~ £69.99

Pay In 6 Installments: £11.67 per month

Registration Deadline:

12th May 2023

Al Balagh Scholarship

AlBalagh Scholarship is available for learners who cannot afford the fee.

Learn More and Apply

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Sessions

1

Introduction

2

Muraqabah in the Classical Islamic Tradition

3

Mindfulness and Practising Presence

4

How Does Meditative Presence and Its Practice Relate to Islamic Spirituality?

5

Muraqabah: Being Present

6

The Prophetic/Adamic Inheritance of the Breath

7

‘Taqwa Is Here’: Discovering the Heart

8

Feeling God’s Nearness, Forgetting My Distance

9

Dhikr: Emptying, Awakening, Deepening

10

Fikr: Contemplating God’s Signs, Death, and Life

11

Muhasabah: Self Introspection, Inner Inquiry & Mirroring the Unseen

12

Essential Islamic Presence Practises (Body)

13

Essential Islamic Presence Practises (Mind)

14

Essential Islamic Presence Practises (Heart)

15

Nature of Spiritual Retreat in Islam with Multiple Guided Meditations: Stillness, Silence, Hunger, Wakefulness

16

Embodying Presence Through the Pillars of Religion (Part 1)

17

Embodying Presence Through the Pillars of Religion (Part 2)

Course Overview

The daily bustle of Modern life involves noise, distraction, and information overload. Our senses are constantly affected from every direction to the extent that a peaceful moment of silence seems impossible for a few of us. This continuous distress inhibits us from getting the most out of each moment, reducing the quality of our prayers and our ability to remember Allah.

In this time of information overload and worry, how can we possibly have more control over our thoughts?

Practising Muraqabah can help discipline our minds in order to handle the current situation better and focus on our connection with Allah. It helps one reduce stress, anxiety, gain the ability to remember, control your mind and desires and become more disciplined and mindful in all areas of life.

We all realise that we need more focus in prayer and more control over our wandering minds and desires. But what are the steps to achieve this? How can we become more focused in all aspects of our lives, spiritual and physical? That is where the practice of exercising the Islamic tradition of Muraqabah can help train our minds to become more disciplined and thereby enhance our regular worship and daily activities.

This course examines the virtues and practises of Muraqabah in the Islamic tradition. It correctly conceptualises meditation in Islam and presents practical exercises based on different factors that can help us cultivate Muraqabah with Allah and our inner self.

Guided Meditations

Being Present and God’s Presence.
Receiving the Divine Breath of Spirit: The Prophetic Inheritance of Sa. Adam (as).
Feeling God’s Nearness, Forgetting Our Distance (Hikam and Sharh Hikam).
‘Taqwa is Here’ (The Chest-Heart): Feeling Our ‘I AM-ness’.
‘I Bear Witness’: Observing Which ‘I’ is Bearing Witness to God’s Presence?/ (Bearing Witness with Tongue/Limbs/Heart).
Presence as The Seeing Eye of the Heart (Hadith Jibreel on Ihsan).
Wajh, Tawajjuh, and Tawba: Turning and Returning to the Ever-Present Face of God.
Emptying, Opening/Awakening, and Deepening: Muraqabah and Dhikr.

Mirroring the Unseen (Al-Ghayb): Knowing Self, Knowing God

‘Faith as a Light in the Heart, movement of the Tongue, and a following of the Limbs’: Bringing the Light of our Presence of Heart (our Faith) into all our Outward Movements.

‘Consulting Your Heart’: Finding the Heart, and Surrendering Inquiry to God’s Intuitive Guidance.

Connecting With The Locus Of Divine Love: Bearing Witness to the Prophetic Presence.

Presence Practises

Body Exercises: Integrating the Bodily dimension of our being into a meditative presence during various forms of Ritual worship:
Tahara and Bodily Self-Awareness. Meditative Sensing of Water on the Skin During Ablution. Ablution with Silence. Walking with Presence of Heart as “the servants of the All-Merciful”, Walking in Silence, Walking (Travelling) while Remembering God, and while Reflecting on the Signs of Allah in Nature. Stretching/Callisthenics in Meditative Silence with Conscious Breath Alignment. Running with Presence. Archery/Wrestling/Horseback Riding. Listening to Qur’anic Recitation with presence and in stillness and silence. Listening to the Adhan with presence of heart in silence and stillness.

Mind Exercises: Contemplating Deeply Certain Key Verses Of the Qur’an which emphasise Contemplation of God’s Signs:
Taking the Qur’an into deep meditative contemplation. Reflecting Deeply upon Aqida Teachings, especially the good and the bad of Qadr in a positive way which reinforces Iman (faith). Reflecting upon Spiritual Poetry. Observing Our Thoughts. Conscious Intention Making with Positive Thoughts. Self-Awareness Exercises (Muhasaba). Witnessing Our Day, before we Sleep, and Envisioning Our Day, when we awaken.

Heart Exercises: Enhancing Heart Orientation with God: Cultivating a Presence of Heart with Allah (swt) and His Messenger (s):
Establishing a rhythm of the 5 Times Prayers with a presence of body-mind- heart. Tahajjud/Salat Al-Tasbih. Muraqabah. Dhikr. Qur’an Recitation with Presence of Heart. Listening to the Qur’an with Presence. Serving those among Allah’s servants in need, with a compassionate, forbearing and loving presence.

Essential Meditation Exercises For Spiritual Retreat (I’tikaf/Uzla)

From Isolation to a sense of Stillness.
From Being Silent to Being the Silence.
From Hunger to Emptiness.
From Wakefulness to Vigilance Practising Presence Through.

The Five Pillars Of Religion: Body-Mind-Heart: Guided Meditations

Shahada: On Bearing Witness as a Contemplative Practice (Body/Mind/Heart)
Salat: On Connecting and Being Rooted in Prayerful Presence (Body/Mind/Heart)
Zakat: On Doership, Giving, the True Doer, and the one who is purified through selfless service (khidma)
Sawm: On Emptying for God, and Transparency before God (Body/Mind/Heart). Three Levels of Fasting.
Hajj: Journeying to the Heart, and Living From the Heart. Reflecting on the Inner Meanings of the Outer Rituals and the Return from the Journey.

Learning Objectives

The course aims to:

Introduce you to the Islamic tradition of Muraqabah, Historic relevance and Islamic position.
Assist you in gaining control over your thoughts, emotions and mind.
Help you to practice presence in prayer and remember Allah with utmost dedication.
Understand the relevance of Muraqabah based on the Quran and Sunnah.
Employ the Five Pillars of Islam in practising Muraqabah.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Al Balagh courses recognised or accredited?

Al Balagh courses do not provide an externally accredited or recognised qualification. Our own expert team works at the course content. With over 5000+ learners, we are continuously growing and our vision is to make Al Balagh qualifications renowned worldwide through our expert team, without seeking formal accreditation or recognition from external institutional bodies.

How is this online course structured?

Our online course comprises live interactive online sessions, pre-recorded videos, online course material that include, presentations, reading material & online learning activities. Students may ask questions and get their doubts cleared from their respective lecturers, if any. Our dedicated academic support team will assist you as required.

When will I have access to the online course material?

Upon successful enrollment, you will get access to myAlBalagh (our online learning portal) within 24 hours.

Will I get notification for live sessions?

All students will receive notification for their course live sessions via email and/or course WhatsApp group. You may also check the Course Schedule tab on your dashboard after logging in on our website or Mobile App.

Is it mandatory to attend live sessions?

We always encourage attending live sessions among students, but it is not compulsory for technical course progress of the students.

I missed a live session. Can I get the video recordings?

If you are unable to attend a live session or have missed it, you can view recorded sessions on your course dashboard. You can access all the completed Recordings, PPT and assessments anytime.

Can I download the recordings and watch it offline?

You can download recordings and PPT of the course sessions from the myAlBalagh mobile App for all the enrolled courses.The recordings will be available for students after 48 hours of the live session.

Do I get marks for watching course recordings and presentations?

There are no additional marks for watching the course recordings. Only the module Assessments and the final exam add up to the final score.You can check the individual scores of your Assessments under the Progress tab of myAlBalagh.

I have doubts but I cannot attend the live session. Any other way to ask my questions?

You can discuss your doubts via Course WhatsApp Group dedicated for student discussion or access the Discussion Board on myAlBalagh. It is a platform for you to ask questions, discuss and get your doubts cleared.

When will the final exam be held?

The Final Exam will be held at the end of the course and will be a Graded And Timed Exam.

How do I interact with my classmates?

You can interact with your classmates on our Whatsapp Group exclusive for the course students. Furthermore, you can use the Discussion Board to connect with other course students as well.

How long will I have access to the online course?

You will have access to the online course content for up to 2 years. If you want lifetime access, contact our admin team via Email at [email protected].

I am facing trouble signing into the “myAlBalagh” Online Student portal. What should I do?

In case you find any trouble accessing your account, then please contact us immediately. Our dedicated support team will ensure that your problem gets resolved at the earliest.

How can I apply for the Al Balagh Scholarship?

Al Balagh Academy values seekers of knowledge more than anything. Please visit here to apply for a scholarship. Our team will assess your application and respond in 2-3 working days.