Dhikr — the polish of the heart: Dhikr is the remembrance of Allah with the tongue and the heart. It is the daily polish that removes the rust of Ran. Even a few minutes after each prayer begin to change the heart. The masters taught simple daily formulas — beginning with "La ilaha illa Allah" and ending with "Ya Hayyu, Ya Qayyum" — repeated slowly, with the heart present.
Sincerity is the soul of Dhikr: Ikhlas is the state of performing every act of worship — every good deed, every word of Dhikr — for Allah alone. Its three enemies are Riya (showing off), Sum'ah (seeking fame), and 'Ujb (admiring oneself). Imam Sadiq (as) said: "Allah does not accept any act unless it is done with Ikhlas." Two rak'ats of prayer with genuine Ikhlas outweigh a whole night of worship without it.
Muraqabah — living under Allah's gaze: Muraqabah is the servant's response to Allah's name Al-Raqib, the Ever-Watchful. Since Allah watches every thought, word, and action, the traveller develops a continuous inner awareness: "Allah sees me right now. What am I showing Him?" Muraqabah is not anxiety or obsession. It is calm, continuous awareness — and choosing every moment accordingly.
Before you speak or act: Without Muraqabah, actions are decided by habit and the Nafs, words are spoken carelessly, thoughts are allowed to wander, and sins are committed when "no one is watching". With Muraqabah, every act is preceded by "Allah sees this", words are weighed before they are spoken, thoughts are noticed and turned back, and there are no "private" sins — because Allah is always the witness.
Worship as if you see Him: The Prophet (SAW) defined Ihsan as: "To worship Allah as if you see Him — and if you do not see Him, know that He sees you." That is the spirit of Muraqabah. The greatest barrier to perfect worship, said Imam Khomeini, is forgetfulness that Allah is present in each moment of the prayer.
Example
The honest shopkeeper: A shopkeeper is honest when customers are watching, but cheats when the shop is empty. Another shopkeeper is honest even alone at midnight — because he knows he is never truly alone.
Allah always watches: The believer is the second shopkeeper. Muraqabah means behaving the same alone and in company — because Allah is always watching.
Key Terms
- Dhikr (ذکر) — remembrance of Allah; repeating His names and praise with tongue and heart
- Ikhlas (اخلاص) — sincerity; doing every act for Allah alone
- Muraqabah (مراقبہ) — watchfulness; the continuous awareness that Allah sees everything
- Al-Raqib (الرقیب) — the Ever-Watchful; one of Allah's names
- Ihsan (احسان) — excellence in worship; worshipping Allah as if you see Him
Quran or Hadith
Quran 4:1 — "Indeed, Allah is always watching over you (Raqib)." — to be checked. The Quran names Allah "Raqib" — the One who watches over us always — and that name is the foundation of Muraqabah: to live knowing that we are always seen by Allah.
Fresh diagram to be drawn: Two panels side by side — on the left, a person acting carelessly with a closed eye above him; on the right, the same person acting carefully with a kind, open eye of light above him, labelled "Allah sees me right now".
- Dhikr is the daily polish that removes the rust of Ran from the heart.
- Ikhlas is doing every act for Allah alone; its enemies are showing off, seeking fame, and self-admiration.
- Muraqabah is the calm, continuous awareness that Allah sees every thought, word, and action.
- Ihsan means: worship Allah as if you see Him; and if you do not see Him, know that He sees you.