Topics
To gain self-awareness and to awaken
spiritual abilities, Muraqaba should be practiced consistently. Through
Muraqaba, our hidden qualities slowly surface and we eventually gain
self-awareness. It is our daily observation that when we try to learn a new
skill or any form of art or to awaken any latent ability we have to practice
using it devised method.
Continued practice results in gradual improvement in ability and eventually we
acquire that skill. For instance when we try to learn painting, at first with
the supervision of a teacher we begin with drawing lines on a paper, which ends
up in some kind of a sketch. In the beginning the pencil does not draw what we
intend to draw. However, with practice we are eventually able to draw what we
are supposed to.
Example:
A
newborn infant does not understand the environment in which he lives, the way
an adult person does. He sees things but is not able to comprehend their
meaning or use. Knowledge of the environment comes slowly in a systematic
fashion and intellectual maturity takes years. In the beginning, the child has
difficulty in utilizing his abilities. When he starts to walk, he first crawls.
Moreover, when he can stand on his feet then for number of months he is unable
to balance. It takes the effort of many months before he is able to walk on his
own.
Speaking starts with broken words then
progresses to incomplete sentences. Often the meanings of words gets mixed up.
However, with passing of time a child is able to converse using complete
sentences. Together with individual efforts and the help of teachers and
parents, the child is eventually able to read and write after spending years learning.
The point we are trying to make is that
when any new ability grows, the consciousness absorbs it gradually. Just as a
child goes through different stages of learning to acquire full knowledge
about any subject, in the same manner, an adult also has to go through various
learning levels in order to acquire any new skill. More or less the same
condition prevails
when someone tries to activate (awaken) esoteric or hidden senses. Since
learning hidden senses is it relatively new process for the consciousness, in
the beginning it faces some difficulties and challenges in understanding and
using them.
It would be premature to assume that as
we close our eves for Muraqaha within a day or two all those observations and
experiences would become known that are the essence of Muraqaba. With continued
practice and enthusiastic interest, a person gradually journeys through the
realm of i luragaba.
In the beginning, rental focus is hard
to achieve. However, with practice it is eventually achieved. The more focus or
concentration is enhanced the more hidden senses are activated. Based on the
consciousness strength the person goes through the spiritual experiences and
esoteric observations. Spiritual state and observation increase with time.
Once fully achieved the spiritual
abilities can be used at will just as other physical abilities.
During these stages, spiritual students
need a spiritual tutor who can teach them almost as if they were kindergarten
students, until the student eventually masters his or her own spiritual skills.
The spiritual state and observation
varies in every individual and it depends on the spiritual and conscious level
of that person. That is why only an experienced Spiritual Master or (murshid)
can analyze an individual's spiritual strength. However, depending upon the
conscious strength, the different levels or stages that any student goes
through are more or less the same. Based on strength and ability the different
stages or levels are the following.
Drowsiness
Drowsiness is the earliest stage of
Muraqaba. When someone begins the practice of Muraqaba for the first time,
often he or she becomes drowsy and goes to sleep. After few days the condition
that prevails in the mind can neither be called asleep or awake. This is all
interim stage between waking and sleeping. IIowever, the consciousness is not
vetaware of that. That is why after the; Muraqaba, one feels like he or she saw
something but are unable to remember it.
1. I did the Muraqaba at 10: 17 pm. I
was, focused straightaway. Often I would go into sleep. 1 felt like 1 was
washing someone's feet. Then during the drowsy state, 1 saw a black shadow
(which was not solid) left Out from my body, and was absorbed into the front
wall.
(Akmal, Lahore)
2. During Muraqaba, I visualize Qalandar
Baba (founder of Sufi order of Azeenria). During Muraqaba my mind remains
/ircuscel. However while doing it I sornetimes.fall asleep. Then a very light
image of Qalandar Baba appears and whenI try to focus on it. I fall asleep. On
average I do Muraqaba .for orinutes daily. However, except for the initial
visualization nothing else registers in my mind. By the grace of God, my in nd
is much purified now.
(Tahir
Jalil)
3.Tinder
the influence of sleep, I saw
that repentance was being taught. On one occasion during Muraqaba, while I was
drowsy I saw I was meeting with jinns. I felt a little fear. I could not
remember the details of the
encounter. All day I do the invocation (dhikr) of Ya-Hayiyo- Ya- Qayumu which makes me feel that God is always facing me.
During prayers as well, the feeling that God is seeing remains prevalent.
Sometimes it leads to ecstasy during which all I want to do is to cry. Once the
drowsiness was so strong that I felt that God is present in every piece of sand of this Universe and then I felt like I no longer
exist.
(Nasreen)
Colorful Dreams
After
a given period of starting Muraqaba the student usually sees clearer dreams.
Sometimes this starts right after going to sleep and continues the entire
night. Different scenes come and go in which he sees trees, flowers, greenery,
mountains, lush green valleys, lakes, rivers, buildings, birds and so on. These
dreams usually have more depth and detail. Even after waking up their effect
lasts for a while.
The
student sees colorful dreams as well. In these dreams, the vision is more
colorful compared to other dreams. After seeing colored dreams, the viewer
feels joy, delight and serenity. The reason behind seeing more and clearer
dreams is that by practicing Muraqaba, a person's link with his subconscious
increases and he is able to receive more and more of the flow of subconscious
information. When dreams become deeper,then the person starts seeing more and
more 'true dreams' in which future outcome is displayed in actuality rather
then symbolically. Whatever that person sees in his dream usually manifests
itself after awakening or whatever he sees is proven after he wakes up. Dreams
become so clear that interpreting is no longer needed. The person can draw
conclusions on his or her own.
Whatever
a student sees in his or her dreams, the spiritual master (murshid) gives his
student lessons based on that. Much spiritual based knowledge is transferred
from the Sufi master to that student through dreams.
Using
his spiritual power the master cleans the mind of his student. Impurity is
washed and converted into subtlety.
This subtlety is gradually transferred
from dream stage to awakened stage. Through dreams the spiritual master has his
student journey into the spiritual world. In the spiritual world, the students
glimpse and have audience with prophets, saints, and other spiritual
personalities. Such matters come before observation so that the student has no
choice but to remember them. The images of roya sadiga (true dream) are so deep
that mind is forced to repeat them.
That is how consciousness achieves
strength in keeping the esoteric flow and the fikr
lateef (subtle cognition) flows in the student for a longer period. By
seeing more and more dreams, the interest of the student in learning
paranormal studies is also enhanced. He or she starts seeing the kind of dreams
that enabled them to avoid future mishaps or ailments (sickness)
The following is a list of dreams sent
by students and their interpretations given by the author of this book.
A female student reports:
I am very much interested in learning
spiritual studies. Whenever I get a chance, I do Muraqaba. The following is a
dream that I saw a couple cif clays ago.
Dream:
I saw a huge. field. In the
middle of that field there is a hole similar to a grate. The field is lush
green. However, in that grave a red liquid seemed to be present. Within
moments, that liquid turned into a huge. lame fire.
Interpretation
The
dream is reflecting high blood pressure. You need to check with it
gynecologist in order to treat hypertension because it may endanger the life of
your unborn baby.
Dream
2:
In our busy life, 1 try to find/ time to
do Muraquba for 10-1 5 mu?-tilt's. Following is ti dream that I see very often
A goat is being slaughtered and skinned. However, it is still cilive but shuu's
no sign 0f'pain or discomfort, though the eyes show sadness. In the same'
manner, I sometimes see ct cow and that cow as well shows nu sign of pain but
its firce reflects injustice. During the dream, Ifeel their pain cnui by to run
atuay front it. In real life as well I could not ser any animal being
slaughtered (like during Eid-ul-Adha)
Interpretation
When there is no hope in life and
depression kicks in, it seems like there is no light of hope at all. The
subconscious then shows those images during deep sleep.
I
opelessness and disappointment present these symbols in the form of gloomy and
sad pictures. These are all the wishes that were not ttiet and the heart does
not have enough strength to replace them with new hopes and wishes. Your dream
also points to a weaker mind. Advice
During the pre-dawn hours of the morning
for at least half an hour do brisk walking? It helps overcome the weakness of
the mind.
Dream
3
I went
to sleep right after doing Muraqaba. I saw in the dream that a ball of
spaghetti came out of my mouth and my mouth was full of them. Some of them were
cooked. I shredded some sugar on them and took them back into my mouth. With
the help of my fingers, Iforced them inside my throat. (light then I saw myself
at a mountain and the rain started right after that. I have seen this dream
twice. After getting up early in the morning, 1 usually get feverish. I have
lost my appetite. All clay I obsess about that dream.
Interpretation
The dream is pointing towards an ailment
that has to do with the digestive system. The last part of your dream suggests
that due to unbalanced diet your intestine has become over-sensitive. To see
this dream twice suggests that this disorder has not gone away and hence it
could not simply be ignored. Needless to say a consultation with your physician
and a balanced diet are in order. Otherwise, this could lead to other
complications.
Dream
4
After
doing the Muraqaba, I lay down and went to sleep right away. I saw that I was
told by my parents to polish the cooking pot from the polish shop. I told the
person doing the polish that I would be lack with my cousin. When I got to
home, my rnont gave me mango and
instructed me to take them to my sister in law. Upon reaching illy
sister-in-law's home, I was saddened to see her weak and sick. I gave her the
mangoes and asked ff she could go with me back home. She agreed and we went
back home. Then I saw myself strolling somewhere and I have a cooking pot with
me. I also saw black stains in my clothes.
Interpretation
Overindulgence of sugar is causing
trouble. Proper treatment has not been done yet which led to the outbreak of
the disease which sometimes remains dormant. When the next outbreak occurs
please see your physician and follow his advice.
Dream
5
I am a
retired government officer. I am 65 years old. I c/a Muraqaba every night for
15 minutes before going to bed. I saw in my dream that my son is getting
married even though he is married and saw that his wife is actively involved in
his second wedding.
Interpretation
You made a promise to someone but have
not fulfilled it. Your conscience is reminding you of your obligation. Listen
to your conscience or else you may have a nervous breakdown eventually.
Dream
6
Last
night after doing the Muraqaba I went to sleep right away. I saw that my
neighbor's house was on fire and the fire eventually reaching our home and
part of it was being burnt. I, instead of extinguishing the
fire, was wishing that it would grow. My dad warned me not to inflame the fire
otherwise the roof would fall and the entire house would be destroyed and that
would be a huge loss to us.
Interpretation
This dream is a warning. The person who
saw that dream should avoid a behavior that led to a situation in his business
and on which he is wrongly insisting. He should rethink and change his
behavior.
Dream
7
I
often go to sleep after doing Muraqaba. One night I saw in a dream that I have
a 4-year-old daughter. My sister-in-law is insisting that I should beat my
daughter because she is not pretty. I then grab her hand and my sister-in-law
cuts her hand. After that, I sever my daughter's hand. Then after few moments
when I see her, I saw that her hands are okay and are attached to her body.
Then I saw one of her hands was cut and the other had only one .finger
and a thumb. I got frightened and start crying and I said to myself how bad I
am that I cut the limb of 'my own daughter.
Interpretation
Symbolic images of backbiting and
uncontrolled anger were dispI,ivcd in
the dream. The subconscious is strongly protesting this behavurral pattern. If
the guidance of the subconscious is not followed, the consequences will not be
pleasant.
Dream
8
Since
last Saturday, I have started practicing Muraqaba after the pre-drawn prayers.
The other night I saw in my dream that Jam going to Karachi. On my way to
Karachi, I met several people who stabbed inc,. My whole body was
blooded. Then I saw that they locked me in a room. When I was stabbed, I
shouted and cried, however during crying no tears were coming out of my eyes. The place where I was locked there was
another man who slaughtered a pony and gave me the flesh. Then I saw that there
was a huge jungle in which bears and lions, cheetahs and dogs were roaming
freely. They started following me but I was able to ran faster and started
flying in the air. When I landed, I was surprised to see that there were no
animals around. Then I started to climb a thorny tree and then all of a sudden a bear starts chasing me. Then I climbed a
mountain and saw an elephant. The elephant ran away after seeing another man;
however, the bear stood there. Then after coming down from the mountain I
started attacking the bear with a knife. The bear ran away after that and
returned to my city (Multan).
Interpretation
All the different sketches of the dream
point to anxiety, insecurity, worries, and ailing health. All these conditions
came into being because the person who saw the dream is overly emotional. There
is no balance in life. Consumption of food is improper as well.
Dream
9
I
usually do Muraqaba daily and try not to miss it. I saw a dream, which I would
like you to interpret for rile. I saw that it was nighttime. Vie sky was of light blue color. When I looked up to see the sky
I saw bright stars. In the middle of stars was a big
moon. Near the moon, there is a fairy standing, wearing a glittery dress. She
is wearing a shiny crown and has a white stick in her hand. There are stars in
that stick as well and she is smiling at me.
Interpretation
Even since early childhood, you have a
habit of thinking and daydreaming. Due to the overindulgence of that behavior
you have become ultra-sensitive. Because of which you have become unhappy and
depressed, life seems like a collection of unhappy events. When that condition
became serious and the nervous system itself was being a effected then it
showed you this pleasant dream so that you may feel lighthearted. The dream
you saw must have been quite a while ago because it does not reflect any thing
about the practice of Muraqaba that you have been doing.
Levels 69
Dream 10
Even since I started Muraqaba, I have been seeing
geometrical frgures in my dreams often. Whenever I see them, I get
scared. These figures sometimes evolve into a tree.
Interpretation
These figures represent the close friends who
spend most of their time in the company of each other. Either they spend time
together every day or at least several times in a week. There are a total of
six or seven friends. Three of them are naive and down to earth and nice, however
the others are the bad seed. They are the kind of friends who give you wrong
advice and are bad influence.
Advice
You have to be very cautions of these friends who
give you intentionally wrong advice. Otherwise, you could end up in big
trouble.
Dream 11
I have always been interested in learning
paranormal sciences. I have seen some dreams in the past few days whose
interpretation I am seeking.
1. I was standing at the window of my room and heard Prophet Muhammad reciting the Qur'an
(Koran) in the basement. I said to myself the how beautiful the voice of
Prophet Muhammad really is.
2. I saw myself donning white clothes and standing
at my school. Standing beside me is the prophet Muhammad who is wearing white
clothes as well. There are some people around too. Nearly a big candle is
glowing. The prophet Muhammad then said that the time of his death is
approaching and angels are descending from heaven. I then started sobbing and
said to him not to talk like that and! hold his forearms and look him to
another room. Tire other two men also accompanied us. 'Ther/ were standing
right and left of hint.
3. During the month of Shahan (the Nth Islamic
month) I saw myself strolling in the terrace of my home after bathing. All of a sudden, a white
cloud starts emitting light and falls on the front wall. The light starts
writing the Kalania on the wall. I then started reciting the Kalanla myself. I
then called to my moot and sister to come but when they arrive the light goes off.
4. A fete dogs
ago, I saw in a dream that it was a nighttime and a firll moon was on
the horizon. All of my family was on the roof of my house. Every one said how
lovely the moonlight was. I too liked the moon and the moment I raised my hand
towards it, it came into my hand.
Interpretation
From early childhood,
your ability to learn spiritual sciences was activated. Nature wants to use
your spiritual abilities to assist the mission of Prophet Muhammad and, God
willing, you will be able to help spread his mission. The best thing would be
for you to select a spiritual master who has gone through the ups and down of
the spiritual path to assist you in your spiritual endeavors.
I pray for you
that God may make you the source of peace and serenity for His creatures and
the medium through which the spiritual mission of Prophet Muhammad is spread
across the globe (Amen).
The interpretation
of all the dreams that you have seen is what I just stated above.
Dream 12
I went to sleep after performing Muraqaba. I saw in
my dream that my husband and I, along with another man and woman were going
somewhere. This woman took us to a desert, took my hand, and started running.
We were running in a circuIarf'orrnation and Ifelt like we were sinking in the
sands while running. Then I felt as if we were not the only ones instead there were
thousands of men and women. livery one was holding each others hand and though
sand was up to their neck, they kept running. I could not tell how exciting it
was. Suddenly I felt like we were circling the Holy Kaaba. It was very dark but
I knew that my family was there too. Though I could not tell which members of my family were
there, I did know that my aunt was there. Then a white pigeon came and the
entire place was lit. In the dark I could only see that pigeon; then I heard
that voice of my
aunt asking, "did (page 29) you know who that pigeon was?" I then
asked her who it was and she said it was Sufi Master Muhammad Zachariah. I woke
up right then. This is the second time in the six months that I have seen him.
In the first dream, I sate his tomb.
Interpretation
Sufi Master Zachariah was a Qutb (see glossary).
Since you have seen him in your dream, you are definitely going to get the
spiritual blessing (faidh) from him. Please arrange for his soul, Qur n
khuwcuii and lungar (see glossary).
Dream 13
I have been doing
Muraqaba twice: first before going to bed and second, at the predawn hour. I
saw in my dream that I am running up the stairs, which are going all the way up
the hill. At the hill top there is a tomb of some Sufi master. A few days
later, I saw a simiral dream of running up the stairs. When I reached the top,
there was a shrine ofsome Sufi master. 1 was spiritually overwhelmed at the scene.
1 wanted to enter the shrine but then I woke up.
Before seeing
these dreams I saw a long time ago that some Sufi saints were descending from
the sky in ajeep, their faces were glowing. They saw me and then went away.
Then came back and returned towards the sky in the sale jeep.
A couple of years ago when I was in Karachi 1 saw
a dream when after performing the pre-dawn prayers I took a nap.I saw a huge
serpent coming towards me. I quickly put a basket made of wood on top of it.
Right away, a bright light started coming of that basket.
Interpretation
You have genuine
interests in learning spiritual sciences and your Soul is telling you that if
you practice with persistence you will eventually succeed. During the period
when you saw the dream about the snake and the basket, you had tonsillitis. If
you get that again make sure you complete the treatment and the entire course
of medicine. A chronic tonsillitis could result in other complications. My
experience shows that a chronic tonsillitis could cause polio as well. Using
color therapy oil made of yellow Lights is the best cure for tonsillitis.
Dream 14
Every night before
going to bed, l do Muraqaba of "visualization of Sufi master. '• One night
I saw that a Sufi master (author) called on us at our home. I was so happy that
1 wished I could tell the whole city. On our roof, there is a pot of roses
whose branches extend to our terrace. We all are chatting. Then I informed all
my friends that our Sufi shaykh is visiting and they all came to see him. My mom
expressed the desire to visit Karachi and the Sufi shaykh invited us as well
and said he would send his men to pick us up from the station. Their sign would
be that they would be carrying Olive oil. Then my younger sister, and I went to
see Sufi Shaykh with our relative and then I shouted, "Look who is
here" after seeing the dream my morn woke me up. It was the time of dawn
prayers.
Interpretation
The dream will
manifest in reality exactly the way you have seen it. In fact, your devotion
has activated your inner eye in your dream. May ( god give you spiritual
improvement immensely (Amen)
Dream 15
I went to sleep
right after doing Muraqaba and saw in my dream that two lions are sitting in a
tall tree. I asked my uncle to bring a gun. While he was searching for the
gtln, the lions came out of the tree and gent
into the woods. My two cousins were going towards the woods and I warned them
about the lions but they ignored my advice and ivent anyway. One of them was
attacked by the lion and took her feet into its mouth. People were gathered at
the scene however no one had the courage to intervene. I went ahead and saved
her from the clutches of the lion. She looked at me thankfully. I took her
into my arm, and sent her home.
Interpretation
Man is composed of
the elements. These elements are in order. God makes the decision of their
quantity. Balance is kept in the creation and there is a system of values. In
this sense, sexual thoughts are also a gift of nature. There are ways to
accommodate it. However to indulge in erotic thoughts way ahead of time and to
focus on it constantly is a waste of time and injurious to health as well.
Things that come with time and appropriate condition should be acceptable. Man
is entitled to desire but is not authorized to impose his will on others. This
is what the Quran (Koran) teaches. Values are based on that we nevertheless
surrender to this Divine Rule. All aspects of the dream are pointing towards
this.
Dream 16
After doing Muraqaba, I went to bed immediately. 1
sate in my dream that in the sky words of Al-Lah and Muhammad were written.
Surrounding these areflowers in a cloudy tvay. On
niy right hand there is a guy and I said to him that if the people or the
government asked me to testify about this then 1 will testify about this. I
have seen these two names with lny own eyes. I often see myself praying or
performing wudu in my dreams.
Interpretation
Beholding the glorious written names of God and the
prophet Muhammad in the sky points to the pure and honest beliefs of the
beholder. On the other hand, it also refers to success in life and a better
future.
Dream 17
I am a student in
eleventh grade; it has been three months since 1 started doing Muraqaba. One
night 1 saw a strange dr•eam whose interpretation I am seeking from you. The
dream is as follows:
I am returning
home from the house of my tutor. On my way back 1 looked towards the northeast
side of the sky and 1 sate many moans in the sky and each of them had verses written on
them.
I became ecstatic
by looking at it. That moment as I turned back to return to my tutor, 1 saw on
the southeast side of the sky the verse of ,Surah al-rahman of the Quran (Koran).
I went straight to my tutors home. 1 informed him
about it and he came along with me to see it. However, he could not see it.
Right then I woke up. I tried to go back to sleep to see that writing one pore
time but could not.
I related this
dream to my tutor the other day and he said it shows that my fixture is bright.
Please interpret the dream for me.
Interpretation
The rule of giving
dream interpretation is that once an interpretation is given, any other
interpretation of the same dream should not be given. Because after listening
to the interpretation the subconscious registers that interpretation. The
prophet Muhammad has instructed that dreams can only be related to a person who
has some knowledge of the technicalities of giving interpretation. Dreaming is
one of the branches of Divine Knowledge (ilm ladani). This Divine Knowledge is
not one that can be learned in academies. This branch of knowledge is a gift
from the prophet Muhammad and is received only through his blessings.
Dreams about the future
Dream 18
1 went to sleep
right after Muraqaba. In the dream saw that I am in the residence of my
inaternal gr•andinother and watching the sky glittering. One of the stars which
is red suddenly falls under rny_feet. Everyone was surprised. Then that star
became a grey color bowl. It seemed like that bowl was ancient and sacred.
Interpretation
The dream is about
your future. Your married life will be happy and good. In addition, from your
maternal side a spirit will take a physical form and will be a source of pride
for the whole family. I pray to God that what this dream is informing us, is
fulfilled and no family dispute will twin it.
Dream 19
For the last month, I have been doing Mur•agaba
before going to !u d. 1 have seen many dreams so far. Someone donning a white
dress carne to see my father and silently fetched some documents from the
drawer and put them in his pocket and left. My father did not ask him uny
questions either; then I woke up.
I saw in my dream that in my city a huge market
near the main road has been constructed and is now ready for business. I am
taken aback by this market. 1 was wishing that I could climb to the top of the building when I wokeup. The next morning I
tuent to see if there was
anything out there but there was nothing.
Interpretation
In the first dream
those papers symbolize money which you are about to get, out of nowhere. It is
going to be a huge amount. Second dream is also similar to the first, which
suggests how the money will bring more prosperity.
Dream 20
I Performed Muraqaba one night, the other• night I
saw in a dream that my four friends and 1 were sailing. I was the captain of the ship. Suddenly the ocean dried up and the ship
came to rest on a mountain on an island. We were all perplexed about how to
continue our•jour•ney. One of them suggested
that after• rainfall there would be enough rvater for the ship to sail away.
Shortly afterwcn•ds the rain clouds came and tuitlt thunder• arid wind, heavy
rain started to•fall. There was enough wetter• afterwards that I
took the ship out of there anal
started sailing again.
Interpretation
Four friends are the symbols of many plans and ideas
that are stuck in the mind. These plans are for one thing only because all
friends are in the same ship. In order to fulfill the plans there were some
obstacles, which had caused hopelessness. Then the help came from a hidden
source and things were getting better. This is going on for a while. Raining is
the symbol of Divine Help. In the end the sailing of ship symbolizes eventual
triumph.
KHWAJA SHAMS-UD-DEEN AZEEMI
In the current information age, the very question of what Man
is, and to what extent his abilities
go, has gained prominence. Metaphysical knowledge tells us
that Man is not just a mass of muscles and bones but in fact is a living
universe or microcosm (a'lam asghar) itself. His life is primarily relying on
information. As a matter of fact his life is nothing but a collection of
thoughts and imagination. His every movement is influenced by information and
thoughts. Every human achievement is circled around the unseen world of
cognition, imagination and creative thoughts. By giving new meaning to this
idea, Man creates and invents new things out of nothing.