The Garden of Knowledge

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

05 Rabi ul Awwal 1447/29 August 2025

All praise is due to Allah ﷻ, the Cherisher, Sustainer, Nourisher and Provider of the entire creation. May peace, blessings and salutations be upon our Beloved Prophet Muhammed ﷺ.

Alhamdulilah in this series we will be looking at our conduct in dealing with Allah with reference to a book authored by Habib Umar bin Hafiz called “خلقنا – Our Moral Constitution”. This work provides guidelines on how ones character should be with Allah, and the creation. The first chapter deals with how our conduct should be with Allah.

1. Vigilant Awareness of Allah (مراقبة الله في جميع الأحوال كأننا له نشهد)

The concept of vigilance towards Allah, known as muraqabah, is rooted in the Quran and Sunnah. It involves being constantly aware of Allah’s presence as though one witnesses Him. This is emphasized in the hadith of Jibril, where the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ defined ihsan as “to worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you do not see Him, then [know] He sees you”.

• Quranic Perspective: Allah reminds believers of His constant awareness in verses such as “And He is with you wherever you are” (Quran 57:4) and “Indeed, Allah is ever watchful over you” (Quran 4:1). These verses encourage believers to live with mindfulness of Allah’s omnipresence.
• Sunnah: أَنْ تَعْبُدَ اللَّهَ كَأَنَّكَ تَرَاهُ فَإِنْ لَمْ تَكُنْ تَرَاهُ فَإِنَّهُ يَرَاكَ – to worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you do not see Him, then [know] He sees you – Sahih Muslim 8

Habib Umar emphasizes developing love for Allah through knowing His attributes and reflecting on His creation. He teaches that this awareness deepens one’s connection to Allah, leading to sincerity both inwardly and outwardly.

2. Daily Litany of the Qur’an with Reflection (نتخذ وردا يوميًا من كتابه العزيز مع المحافظة على التفهم والتدبر)

Engaging with the Quran daily through recitation and reflection (tadabbur) is a practice deeply rooted in Islamic tradition. It allows a believer to internalize divine guidance and strengthen their faith.

• Quranic Emphasis: Allah commands reflection upon His Book in verses such as “Do they not reflect upon the Qur’an?” (Quran 47:24) and “A blessed Book which We have revealed to you that they might reflect upon its verses” (Quran 38:29). Reflective recitation transforms mere reading into an act of spiritual nourishment.
• Sunnah: The Prophet ﷺ would review the Quran with Jibril during Ramadan, demonstrating the importance of regular engagement with its meanings. Ibn Abbas (R.A) narrated that this review took place at night, highlighting the significance of nighttime recitation for contemplation.

Habib Umar encourages consistent Quranic recitation coupled with reflection. He teaches that pondering its meanings increases knowledge, faith, and spiritual insight. He advises repeating verses that resonate deeply to cure one’s heart and strengthen one’s connection to Allah.

3. Presence of Heart in Prayer and Congregational Worship (نحرص على حضور قلوبنا في الصلاة له، ولا نصلي إلا جماعة ما لم تتعذر)

Maintaining presence of heart (khushu’) during prayer and observing congregational prayer are essential aspects of devotion. (For more info on how to maintain concentration in Salah: https://the-garden-of-knowledge.com/2025/02/14/maintaining-concentration-during-salaah/ )

Presence of Heart in Prayer

• Quranic Guidance: Allah says, “Successful indeed are the believers who humble themselves in their prayers” (Quran 23:1-2). This humility reflects a state where one’s heart is fully engaged with Allah during prayer.

Congregational Prayer

• Quranic Instruction: Allah commands collective worship in “Bow down your heads with those who bow down” (Quran 2:43), emphasizing unity in prayer.
• Sunnah: The Prophet ﷺ said, “Prayer in congregation is twenty-seven times better than praying alone” (Bukhari,,649).

These three practices—vigilance towards Allah, daily engagement with the Quran through reflection, and maintaining presence in prayer—are interconnected pillars that nurture a believer’s relationship with their Creator. Rooted firmly in Quranic teachings, prophetic traditions, and the wisdom shared by scholars like Habib Umar bin Hafiz, they guide Muslims toward achieving sincerity (ikhlas), mindfulness (khushu’), and steadfastness (istiqamah) in their faith.

May Allah accept our efforts from us and grant us understanding In Sha Allah!