Question Summary:
Is meditation permissible?

Question Detail:

A sister has spend some years in a war torn country as a teacher. She has been tramartised  by all the evens there but now she is leaving in here home country but she does seems to remember some of the stuff thou she  never saw blood nor she was in the front line of the fighting but she did hear some gun shots.
 After that event she did stay at a much peacful country in Asia for a while where she was introduced to meditation over there. I have recomanded here to see a doctor but she says she feels better after doing meditation.
Can you please tell me if meditation is allowed in Islam or is there something else she could do to benefit her.

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
Meditation is a rather broad term, which includes a variety of techniques and practices depending on its religious or traditional roots. It is used for a number of reasons ranging from disciplining ones inner self to being a mode of worship. Therefore, the word ‘meditation’ carries different meanings in different contexts.
Sharī’ah also supports meditation. It is referred to as Murāqabah in the Arabic language. It refers to inspection and introspection of one’s Nafs (inner self) with certain forms of silent dhikr in an attempt to bring the Nafs in line with the injunctions and commands of Allah. It is also used for other benefits, such as creating the consciousness of death, increasing ones concentration during ‘Ibādah, etc. However, it should be noted that Murāqabah itself and gaining solace and comfort from it is not the objective. The main objective is to create a bond with Allāh and discipline one’s inner self. The peace of mind, comfort, serenity, and solace one gains from Murāqabah are a bonus.
One should intend to gain the greater benefits when carrying out Murāqabah, and the smaller benefits will automatically be achieved. As Murāqabah includes Dhikr of Allāh and He states in the Qur’ān:
أَلَا بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوبُ
“Lo! In the remembrance of the name of Allāh do the hearts find peace”
therefore, through Murāqabah, one will certainly attain peace and comfort.
Generally, Muraqaba is carried out by clearing one’s thoughts of everything besides Allah. Thereafter, a person turns his spiritual gaze and attention completely and exclusively towards Allāh. He meditates upon the fact that Allāh is constantly watching every single move he makes and every thought that crosses his mind. Similarly, one can also focus his/her mind on death, the burial process and the questioning of the grave, etc.
Meditation that is linked to any religious or cultural group general contains acts, positions or chants that reflect that particular religion or culture. Such practices mostly contravene the laws of Shari’āh. Hence, any such type of meditation that reflects any aspect contrary to Sharī’ah or has links to another religion, such as yoga, will be impermissible in Sharī’ah. It is necessary to stick to the Islamic method of meditation. Another remedy that may help the sister is recitation of the Qur’ān. Allāh mentions in the Qur’ān:
وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ مَا هُوَ شِفَاءٌ وَرَحْمَةٌ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
“We are revealing the Qur’ān which is a cure and mercy for the believers.”
We advise that the sister establish a spiritual connection with a Shaykh (spiritual mentor) and follow his guidance. We make du’ā Allāh grant her solace and peace and alleviate her anxiety.
 
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Nabeel Valli
Student Darul Iftaa
Lusaka, Zambia
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
www.daruliftaa.net