Mindfulness

Say Assalamu Alaykum before Athan

Have someone make Athan

START YOUR KHUTBAH WITH THE FOLLOWING

Indeed, all praise is due to God. We praise Him, we seek His assistance, and we ask for His forgiveness. We seek refuge with God from the evils within ourselves and from the consequences of our deeds. Whoever God guides, there is no one who can misguide them, and whoever God lets  sstray, there is no one who can guide them.

I bear witness that there is no deity except Allah, alone, without any partners, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.

Today, I would like to discuss a topic that is both relevant to our modern lives and deeply rooted in the teachings of Islam: mindfulness, or muraqabah. In a world filled with distractions and constant noise, mindfulness has become a vital skill that can help us strengthen our connection with Allah and enhance our overall well-being.

Mindfulness in Islam is the state of being fully aware of oneself in relation to Allah. It is the opposite of heedlessness, negligence, and forgetfulness (ghaflah). In a world where our attention is often scattered and our minds are preoccupied with various concerns, mindfulness offers us the opportunity to center ourselves, focus on the present moment, and strengthen our connection with our Creator.

We are all aware of the importance of being mindful in our prayers and acts of worship, but mindfulness goes beyond these specific moments. It is about carrying this awareness into our daily lives, making every action, every thought, and every breath an act of devotion. It's about aligning ourselves with the teachings of Islam in all aspects of our existence.

In our busy lives, it's easy to get lost in the whirlwind of tasks, worries, and desires. Our minds are often clouded with the noise of the world, making it challenging to maintain a strong connection with Allah. Mindfulness offers us a way to clear away this mental clutter and create a space where we can truly experience the presence of Allah in our lives.

Mindfulness is a skill, much like any other skill, that requires practice and dedication to develop over time. The core tool for nurturing mindfulness should be accompanied by an understanding of the nature of our thoughts, enabling us to better manage our reactions to them.

The great scholar Al-Ghazali elaborated on meditation. He suggested that one should seclude themselves, focusing solely on the religious obligations and supererogatory acts. During this time of seclusion, the goal is to empty one's heart of worldly concerns and distractions, allowing only thoughts of Allah to occupy the mind. By consistently practicing this form of meditation, one becomes more adept at maintaining a continuous awareness of Allah's presence.

This practice is not about forcing thoughts out of the mind but redirecting them towards Allah. It's about fostering a sense of mindfulness where we are aware of ourselves in relation to our Creator, Allah. By dedicating just a few minutes each day to this exercise, we can gradually become more accustomed to this state of mindfulness.

I say these words of mine and I ask Allah for forgiveness

SIT DOWN FOR A FEW MOMENTS FOR MIDDLE OF KHUTBAH BREAK

My thanks and gratitude belong to Allah the Lord of all mankind, I ask Allah to bless and bestow peace on Prophet Muhammad.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) himself demonstrated the importance of maintaining mindfulness. At times, he would ask Allah for forgiveness, not due to wrongdoing, but as a way to anchor his awareness and restore his connection to Allah.

Anas ibn Malik reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

"Verily, at times there is fog over my heart, so I seek the forgiveness of Allah one hundred times in a day."

Islamic scholars have elaborated many times on the concept of cognitive diffusion. Cognitive defusion involves detaching ourselves from our thoughts, allowing us to observe them from a more objective perspective. This practice is grounded in the realization that we are not defined by our thoughts; they come and go like passing waves. This understanding aligns with the Quranic guidance that Allah knows our innermost thoughts and whispers.

Allah says in the Quran:

"We have created humanity and We know what his soul (nafs) whispers to him. We are closer to him than his jugular vein." 

This insight offers us freedom from the undue burden of negative self-judgment due to our passing thoughts. Thoughts arise naturally, sometimes from the ego (nafs), and at other times influenced by external factors such as the devilish jinn or angelic inspiration.

The great scholar Ibn al-Qayyim likened random thoughts to pedestrians on a road – if you ignore them, they will pass by and depart. Therefore, in mindfulness meditation, we practice observing our thoughts without engaging or suppressing them. We allow them to drift away as we gently bring our attention back to Allah. This practice develops our cognitive defusion, allowing us to see our thoughts as separate from our essence.

When we learn to establish this separation, we empower ourselves to make choices that align with our values and principles, regardless of the thoughts that arise. It grants us a moment of reflection before reacting, enabling us to respond more thoughtfully in various situations.

Anchoring our mindfulness in this way is akin to doing mental push-ups. Just as physical exercise strengthens our muscles, anchoring reinforces our mindfulness, allowing us to be more resilient when facing distracting thoughts.

When we cultivate mindfulness, we engage in a continuous remembrance of Allah. Our thoughts, actions, and intentions align with His guidance, fostering a sense of tranquility and purpose.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) exemplified mindfulness in its purest form. He lived in constant awareness of Allah's presence, seeking His guidance, and responding thoughtfully to every situation. His mindfulness was a reflection of his deep connection to Allah, a connection we too can nurture through our daily practices.

So, how can we incorporate mindfulness into our lives?

We should Approach each day with the intention to be mindful of Allah's presence. We should remind ourselves  that every action we take can be an act of worship when done with awareness and sincerity.

We should Engage in the remembrance of Allah throughout your day. Whether we’re walking, working, or resting, recite simple phrases like "SubhanAllah," "Alhamdulillah," and "Allahu Akbar" to anchor awareness in His name.

We should approach prayers with mindfulness, focusing on each word and movement. We should take time to reflect upon the meanings of the verses and supplications we recite.

END OF KHUTBAH DUA

May Allah make us mindfull of the things we do and say.

May Allah help us stay keep us on the right path.

I say these words and ask Allah to forgive me and you all, wa aqimu asalah.

The one who made Athan should now make Iqama

SAY: Make sure there are no gaps. Stand straight, shoulder to shoulder.

START PRAYER