God Consciousness
وَلِلَّهِ ٱلۡمَشۡرِقُ وَٱلۡمَغۡرِبُۚ فَأَيۡنَمَا تُوَلُّواْ فَثَمَّ وَجۡهُ ٱللَّهِۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ وَٲسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ۬ (١١٥)
And God’s is the east and the west: and wherever you turn, there is God’s countenance. Behold, God is infinite, all-knowing. (115)
Surah Al-Baqarah 2:115
In Islam, there is a concept called “‘taqwa”, translated by some as being conscious of God in every moment. To me, the above verse encapsulate that concept. Here, I interpret the phrase, “‘God’s face,” as His presence. That everywhere we turn, we see God in action and that He is always.
While that is the truth and reality, for many of us, it is often not the case. We are often too preoccupied, sleep walking through life and the land to really sense His presence. Thus the concept of “taqwa” remains an illusive ideal for most of us.
Mindful Walking and God’s Presence
I wrote about the art of mindful walking in the last three posts:
When I started writing, I realise why I feel so connected to God when I am walking. By walking mindfully, I am not only aware and connected to the natural world but also of and to God. In my mind’s map1, each interaction and sensation is me interacting with God.
An example of this is walking by the burn at the Hermitage of Braids. The soothing sound of the burn next to me reminds me that He
- has created a path for the water to flow at some point in the past
- continues to send His mercy in the form of the water
- continues to shape the path even as the water flows
- created the complex sound of flowing water
- sends me the sense of calm and peace of hearing the sound
all at the same time. That tells me that He has to be beside me at the point in time.
Yet simultaneously, the trees are swaying in the breeze above me, their branches and leaves rustling gently. So at that instance, He is also above me, sending the breeze through the trees. He lets the branches and leaves rustle, creating a beautiful melody.
My senses and I too are part of the natural world. As I take in these sensations, I realise that God is acting through me in my internal and external interactions. Each step I take is Him guiding me to make firm my step. Each breathe I take is Him prolonging my life and feeding my body with the necessary oxygen.
Silent Conversations
When you walk with a friend, it is natural to have a conversation. Similarly, I find myself having silent conversations with God and His beautiful creations around me. Conversations without words at times, just an acknowledgment of gratitude, respect, and/or even wonder. Answering the call of some and stepping away at the warning from others. These silent conversations reinforces God’s presence no matter where or when I am.
Like that field mouse who scolded me for sitting on his home amidst the tall grass. Did I not know that I do not belong in the grass? What gave me the right to sit willy-nilly and deprive him of his home and rest? God has given both of us shelters; do not be an oppressor and go to my own home.
Or the insect who stopped for a rest on my jacket. It kept me company as I sat admiring the view of the Cuillins on Skye. There, in the vast barren landscape, the two of us shared a silent companionship, the third being God.
Or meadow pippits who serenaded me to sleep in Glen Affric. They sang of the joys of spring, of gratitude for a good day’s catch, of hope for their young. God watched over all of us, me in slumber and them as they flitted about their business.
Or the linden trees who told me of their stress when weeks went by without any rain. When will God send rain this way? What can I do to help in the meantime?
All those conversations and more help me build that connection to God and becoming more aware of His actions.
Sensing God’s Presence in every moment
As human beings, we are by nature forgetful. Is there a way to be connected and sensing His presence all the time? The Qur’an gives several hints
AND UNTO GOD belongs the dominion over the heavens and the earth: and God has the power to will anything. (189) Verily, in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the succession of night and day, there are indeed messages for all who are endowed with insight, (190) [and] who remember God when they stand, and when they sit, and when they lie down to sleep, and [thus] reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth: “O our Sustainer! Thou hast not created [aught of] this without meaning and purpose. Limitless art Thou in Thy glory! Keep us safe, then, from suffering through fire! (191)
Surah Al-Imran: 189-191
and
[Hallowed be] He who has created seven heavens in full harmony with one another: no fault will thou see in the creation of the Most Gracious. And turn thy vision [upon it] once more: canst thou see any flaw? (3) Yea, turn thy vision [upon it] again and yet again: [and every time] thy vision will fall back upon thee, dazzled and truly defeated…. (4)
Surah Al-Mulk: 3-4
and
And the skies has He raised high, and has devised [for all things] a measure, (7) so that you [too, O men,] might never transgress the measure [of what is right]. (8) Weigh, therefore, [your deeds] with equity, and cut not the measure short! (9) And the earth has He spread out for all living beings, (10) with fruit thereon, and palm trees with sheathed clusters [of dates], (11) and grain growing tall on its stalks, and sweet-smelling plants. (12) Which, then, of your Sustainer’s powers can you disavow? (13)
Surah Ar-Rahman: 7-13
In the above verses, and others in the Qur’an, God reminds us to observe and reflect on His creations. Through observing and reflecting, we build a connection to them. And it is through our deep connection with His creations that we can truly develop God consciousness.
The Prophet s.a.w. exemplified what it means to be God conscious. A part of his seerah/history that often get overlooked is his connection to the natural world. In various hadiths (sayings of the Prophet s.a.w.) he was mentioned as to communicate with them.
Narrated Anas bin Malik :
The Prophet (ﷺ) once climbed the mountain of Uhud with Abu Bakr, `Umar and `Uthman. The mountain shook with them. The Prophet (ﷺ) said (to the mountain), “Be firm, O Uhud! For on you there are no more than a Prophet, a Siddiq and two martyrs.
(Sahih Al-Bukhari: 3675)
Narrated Ibn Umar: The Prophet ﷺ used to deliver his khutbah (religious talk) while standing beside a trunk of a date-palm. When he had the pulpit made, he used it instead. The trunk started crying and the Prophet ﷺ, went to it, rubbing his hand over it (to stop its crying).
(Sahih Al-Bukhari: 3583)
Abdullah bin Jafar said “I rode behind The Messenger of Allah(ﷺ) one day, and he told me secretly a thing asking me not to tell it to anyone. The place for hiding dearer to the Messenger of Allah(ﷺ) was a wall or host of palm trees by which he could conceal himself. He entered the garden of a man from the Ansar(Helpers).
All of a sudden when a Camel saw the Prophet (ﷺ) it wept tenderly producing yearning sound and it eyes flowed. The Prophet (ﷺ) came to it and wiped the temple of its head. So it kept silence. He then said “Who is the master of this Camel? Whose Camel is this? A young man from the Ansar came and said “This is mine, Apostle of Allah(ﷺ).” He said “Don’t you fear Allah about this beast which Allah has given in your possession. It has complained to me that you keep it hungry and load it heavily which fatigues it.”
(Sunan Abi Dawud 2549)
These hadiths give a glimpse of his deep connection to the world around him. They paint a picture of a person deeply loved and trusted by the creations. And in turn, he loved and cared for them all for God’s sake.
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