Nevertheless, if we cannot attain such perception of the heart, that we see Allah Ta’ala with our hearts, then we should strive to attain the stage of ‘Ihsaan’. In a very famous Hadith,
known as Hadith-e-Jibraeel, Hazrat Jibraeel (‘Alaihis Salaam) asked Nabi صلئ الله عليه وسلم :
“WHAT IS IHSAAN ?”
Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم replied:
“THAT YOU WORSHIP ALLAH AS IF YOU ARE SEEING HIM, AND IF YOU CANNOT SEE HIM, THEN HE SEES YOU (ANYWAY).”
To reach such a stage we need to develop a conscious awareness of Allah Ta’ala. We should meditate on the fact that He is Aware of us, He is Seeing us and He is Hearing us. Our every movement, our every word, our every thought and our every feeling is in His Knowledge, Sight and Hearing.
The Mashaa'ik have prescribed that we reflect, ponder and keep before us the Ayaah (verses of the Qur'aan Sharief):
“…AND HE IS WITH YOU WHERESOEVER YOU MAY BE…”
[SURAH HADEED 57 : 4 ]
and :
“DOES HE NOT KNOW THAT ALLAH IS WATCHING ?”
[SURAH ‘ALAQ 96 : 14]
When Nabi صلئ الله عليه وسلم was asked : “How can one purify and develop himself ?”
Rasulullah صلى الله عليه answered : “He should always remember that Allah is with him wherever he is.”
Insha-Allah, with this muraqabah (meditation), we will develop that conscious awareness of Allah Ta’ala and, as such, reach the station of Ihsaan.