Muraqabah: Self-Awareness Before Allah

Muraqabah is the spiritual practice of maintaining constant awareness that Allah is watching over oneself at all times. It is derived from the Prophet's definition of ihsan: "to worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you do not see Him, then [know that] He sees you" (Sahih Muslim). The Quran repeatedly affirms that Allah is aware of every detail of His creation: "And He is with you wherever you are" (Quran 57:4) and "We are closer to him than his jugular vein" (Quran 50:16). Muraqabah is the internalization of this awareness into a living, transformative spiritual practice.

Quranic Foundations

The Quran establishes the basis for muraqabah through numerous verses about Allah's all-encompassing knowledge. "Does he not know that Allah sees?" (Quran 96:14). "And Allah is ever, over all things, an Observer (Raqib)" (Quran 33:52). "He knows the betrayal of the eyes and what the hearts conceal" (Quran 40:19). "Not a leaf falls but that He knows it" (Quran 6:59). These verses, when deeply contemplated, create in the believer a state of heightened God-consciousness (taqwa) where every action, word, and thought is considered in light of Allah's awareness. This is not a state of paranoia but of intimacy: the servant acts beautifully because they are conscious of being in the presence of the Most Beautiful.

Practice and Stages

The scholars of the heart describe muraqabah as having stages. The first stage is knowledge: intellectually knowing that Allah sees all. The second is reminder: actively reminding oneself of this fact throughout the day. The third is the state (hal): where the awareness becomes spontaneous and natural, requiring less conscious effort. The fourth is the station (maqam): where the awareness is permanent and shapes every moment. Practical steps include: beginning each action with "Bismillah" (In the name of Allah), performing regular dhikr (remembrance), doing muhasabah (self-accounting) at the end of each day, and choosing private worship (which no one sees) to strengthen sincerity.

Effects on Character

A person who has developed muraqabah naturally avoids sin, because they are aware that Allah is watching even when no human being is present. They naturally improve their worship, because they sense Allah's presence in their prayer and supplication. They become more honest, because they know that Allah hears every word. They become more content, because they trust in Allah's wisdom regarding their circumstances. Ibn al-Qayyim wrote: "Muraqabah is the fruit of the heart's knowledge that Allah is always watching it. When this knowledge becomes firmly established in the heart, the heart turns to Allah, and this turning is muraqabah." It is the inner dimension that gives life to all outward religious practice.