Meditation

Cont’d from page 3

Prostration, as all believers are blessed to experience, is one of the body positions in the powerful Contact Prayer (Salat), where we put out foreheads down on the floor while glorifying our Lord that He is the Most High (Subhaana Rabbiyal A’laa). Prostration is a very humble pose of supplication and possibly assists us in ‘feeling’ the prayers and repentance we make to God in this position (19:58).

[25:64] In the privacy of the night, they meditate on their Lord, and fall prostrate.

Meditate on what?

The answer is probably the most obvious and abundant, yet Satan manages to stall us into wondering about even this. God is Omniscient and Omnipresent. Everything that we see around us and within ourselves is a sign from Him. It is His and is because of Him. There is absolutely no limit to His beau-tiful names and attributes (7:180, 20:8), or His beautiful creations (67:3-4, 40:57), or His Infinite Grace (8:29, 57:21), or the endless blessings He showers upon us (14:34, 16:18), or the innumerable times He has mercy upon us

(18:58, 22:65) and so on. The meditation content is already there in front of us and around us without limits (3:190, 51:20). Just make your intention to meditate on Him and you may be surprised to find how quickly you will be on your way. Here are some starters from the Quran.

[59:23] He is the One GOD; there is no other god beside Him. The King, the Most Sacred, the Peace, the Most Faithful, the Supreme, the Almighty, the Most Powerful, the Most Dignified. GOD be glorified; far above having partners.
[23:116] Most exalted is GOD, the true Sovereign. There is no other god beside Him; the Most Honorable Lord, possessor of all authority.

The 99 names of God

God has given us several of His names and attributes in the Quran. Popular among traditional Muslims is a set of names referred to as ‘The 99 names of Allah’ which they may use for their zikr or in their supplications. While it is good to have a list of God’s names and attributes, it is a misleading idea to stop at only 99 names. God tells us that we can never fathom His greatness (39:67) while to

Him belong all the best names and ascend all the good words (7:180, 17:110, 20:8, 59:24). Therefore, to advocate only these 99 names as a standard set of names for God is suggesting a limitation to His greatness. Believers are entirely free to perceive and meditate on God as they wish.

[17:110] Say, "Call Him GOD, or call Him the Most Gracious; whichever name you use, to Him belongs the best names." ...
[59:24] He is the One GOD; the Creator, the Initiator, the Designer. To Him belong the most beautiful names. Glorifying Him is everything in the heavens and the earth. He is the Almighty, Most Wise.

Indeed, meditation is another great and powerful way to worship God. So God willing, let us hasten to take advantage of all the ways He has created for us to worship Him, and relax in His assurance that He will look after us.

[26:217-220] And put your trust in the Almighty, Most Merciful. Who sees you when you meditate during the night. And your frequent prostrations. He is the Hearer, the Omniscient.

Kais R.