By Ustad Ahmad Zaburlah
Humans are the greatest creation and the part of the body that has the greatest value is the brain – the ability to think, to reflect, and to realise. Those who reflect or contemplate tend to be more pious as they will come to realise the reason for creation and their limitations. Allah (SWT) has put signs everywhere in this world. More often it is the smallest signs that move the heart of believers. We need contemplation (tafakkur) and this is what will sharpen our intellect and help us become God-fearing.
A worm is so soft that one could crush it between the fingers. Despite its softness, a worm can dig better than the fingers. How such soft creature digs so well that if we were to try, only our fingers will hurt! These are lessons of limitations that only the pious will realise. Men of excellence like Abu Bakkar Siddeeq (RA) and Umar ibn Khatthab (RA) have taught us how contemplation on little things moved them to tears.
One day, as Abu Bakkar Siddeeq (RA) was looking at the clear atmosphere, he saw a bird chirping on a tree. He said in a very painful voice, “Fortunate you are, O bird! I wish that I were like you, perched on a tree, picking all its fruits and flying away. You will not be called to reckon and never be punished”.
Similarly, Umar (RA) picked up a blade of grass. He observed it carefully and fear of Allah (SWT) struck his heart. He expressed “How I wish I was like this grass! Were I never born! Would that I was nothing!”
Many ask on what to contemplate on. There are three things we should contemplate on:
1) About ourselves – our sins, limitations and ignorance.
2) About this world – its beauty and its illusions.
3) About the hereafter – the rewards and the punishments.
The Prophet (saw) has said that “Whosoever knows himself knows his Lord”. We have so much faults in us that we need to take care of. Each of us have gifts granted by Allah (swt) and there are also weaknesses. So everyone is foolish in at least one thing in comparison to others. There are so much limitations in us that if a person spend his entire life correcting his own faults, it may still not be enough. The time we have in this world is very short, like passing by a door and exiting at the next. We should try to utilise all our time for Allah (swt) and contemplation allow us to do that.
A key attribute needed for contemplation is being present at all times (hadir). Being present
in front of Allah (swt). Regardless of where we are, at whatever time, we should always
remember that we are present before Him. If we can develop that presence, then our
worship and contemplation will become easier.
Profile: Ustaz Ahmad Zaburlah has been teaching Islamic studies for the past 40 years to youth and adults in Singapore. He completed his formal Islamic education in Singapore and also studied in Mahlara Arabic College, India. He is known for his flair in delivering jurisprudence and tasawwuf with great compatibility to develop enhanced understanding on subtle topics. He is an avid reader and delivers lectures with interesting anecdotes and practical advice. He is currently teaching Fardhu ‘Ain at Masjid Darussalaam (Clementi) on Fridays and Sundays.
