By Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saalih
al-’Uthaymeen (d.1421H)
Standing and prostrating have been
(specifically) mentioned because standing in
prayer is better than prostration with respect
to the remembrance of Allaah, and prostration is
better with respect to its appearance and
condition.
Standing and prostrating have been
(specifically) mentioned because standing in
prayer is better than prostration with respect
to the remembrance of Allaah, and prostration is
better with respect to its appearance and
condition.
Chapter: Contemplation [Muraaqaba]
Allaah says,
"Who sees you when you stand up (for prayer),
and your movements along with those who fall
prostrate." (26:218-219)
"He is with you wheresoever you may be." (57:4)
"Truly nothing is hidden from Allaah, in the
earth or in the heavens." (3:5)
"Indeed your Lord is Ever-Watchful (over them)"
(89:14)
(89:14)
"Indeed your Lord is Ever-Watchful (over them)"
(89:14)
"Allaah knows the fraud of the eyes and all that
the breasts conceal." (40:19)
(40:19)
(40:19)
The verses concerning this are many and well
known.
After mentioning the chapter concerning
Truthfulness and the verses and ahaadeeth
pertaining to it, the author follows this up
with the chapter concerning Contemplation. There
are two aspects to contemplation:
1.
That you contemplate Allaah, Azza wa Jall
2.
That you know that Allaah is watching you as He
says, "and Allaah is Ever a Watcher (Raqeebaa)
over all things."
As for your contemplating Allaah then this is
that you know that Allaah, the Exalted, Knows
your every saying, action, or belief, as He
said, "and put your trust in the All-Mighty, the
Most Merciful – Who sees you when you stand up
(for prayer) and your movements along with those
who fall prostrate." (26:216-218)
"Who sees you as you stand" meaning at night,
when the person stands in a place in seclusion
from others such that no one would see him, but
Allaah, Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa, sees Him even if
he be in the darkest and most intense of
darkness.
meaning at night, when the person stands in a
place in seclusion from others such that no one
would see him, but Allaah, Subhaanahu wa
Ta’aalaa, sees Him even if he be in the darkest
and most intense of darkness.
"And your movements along with those who
prostrate" meaning: and you move along with all
those who prostrate to Allaah in this hour, for
indeed Allaah sees a person when he stands and
prostrates. Standing and prostrating have been
(specifically) mentioned because standing in
prayer is better than prostration with respect
to the remembrance of Allaah, and prostration is
better with respect to its appearance and
condition. As for the standing being better than
the prostration with respect to remembrance then
this is because the legislated remembrance in
the state of standing is the recitation of the
Qur’an and the Qur’an is the noblest of speech.
As for the prostration being better than the
standing with respect to its appearance and
condition then this is because the person in the
state of prostration is closest to His Lord,
Azza wa Jall, as is established from the
Prophet(sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) when he
said:
meaning: and you move along with all those who
prostrate to Allaah in this hour, for indeed
Allaah sees a person when he stands and
prostrates. Standing and prostrating have been
(specifically) mentioned because standing in
prayer is better than prostration with respect
to the remembrance of Allaah, and prostration is
better with respect to its appearance and
condition. As for the standing being better than
the prostration with respect to remembrance then
this is because the legislated remembrance in
the state of standing is the recitation of the
Qur’an and the Qur’an is the noblest of speech.
As for the prostration being better than the
standing with respect to its appearance and
condition then this is because the person in the
state of prostration is closest to His Lord,
Azza wa Jall, as is established from the
Prophet(sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) when he
said:
"The closest a person is to His Lord is when he
is in prostration." [Muslim]
This is why we have been commanded to increase
our supplications while in prostration.
Also from your contemplating Allaah is that you
know that Allaah hears everything single thing
that you say as He said, "or do they think that
We Hear not their secrets and private discourse?
(Indeed We do) and Our Messengers are by them,
to record." (43:80)
And along with this, that you know that every
good or evil thing that you say, be it openly or
secretly then it is written – for or against
you. Allaah, the Blessed and Exalted says, "not
a word does he utter, but there is a watcher by
him ready (to record it)" (50:18)
Know this, and beware! Beware that their emit
from your tongue a saying which will count
against you on the Day of Judgement. Make sure
that your tongue is continuously articulating
the truth or that it remains silent as the
Messenger of Allaah(sallallaahu ’alayhi wa
sallam) said, "whosoever believes in Allaah and
the Last Day then let him speak only good or
remain silent." [Bukhaaree]
(Also from your contemplating Allaah) is that
you do so with regards to your secrets and what
is in your heart. Look to what is in your heart!
Associating partners with Allaah, showing off,
deviations, jealousy, hatred and dislike
displayed towards the Muslims, love of the
disbelievers and other such things that Allaah
is not Pleased with. Supervise and be attentive
to your heart for Allaah has said, "indeed We
created man, and We know what his own self
whispers to him." (50:16)
So contemplate Allaah in these three places, in
your actions, your saying and your heart so that
your contemplation may be complete. This is why,
when the Prophet(sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)
was asked about Ihsaan, he replied, "that you
worship Allaah as if you see Him, and if you do
not see Him, then indeed He sees you."
Worship Allaah as if you see Him and witness Him
with the eye, and if you do not see Him then go
to the next station below this: then indeed He
sees you.
So the first station is to worship Him out of
hope and desire. The next is to worship Him out
of fear and awe this is why he said, "and if you
do not see Him, then indeed He sees you."
So it is necessary for the person to contemplate
His Lord and that he know that Allaah is
Watching over you. Anything that you say or do
or keep secret, Allaah, Exalted is He, Knows it.
The author has mentioned a number of verses that
prove this and began with the verse
that we have already mentioned, "and put your
trust in the All-Mighty, the Most Merciful – Who
sees you when you stand up (for prayer) and your
movements along with those who fall prostrate."
(26:216-218)
