It's all Hocus Pocus!

And before you think I'm going to 'Trick or Treat' y'all, I'm not - keeping it strictly 
halal-oween! :D

Today's post is about our 'Inner Awareness'.

Have YOU ever had that feeling deep inside where you just know?

Gut feeling - Inner knowing - Hunch - Sixth sense - Intuition?

We've all experienced those moments at some point (in our lives) and they defy logic and reason. 

So what and why are they?

These are feelings - from our inner core - from the depths of our soul. They are feelings which either warn us about something or guide us towards something. They are signs for us to ponder, reflect and take action upon.

But most times we're just so busy that we don't even realise they are there. We don't even listen to them (until, probably its too late).

It's not all 'hocus pocus' or new age woo-hoo, its our spiritual side.

We are spiritual beings. We don't just have a body - there's something inside it - our soul.

"You say that you are just a body, but inside of you is something greater than the Universe." Imam Shafi (rahimullah)

Just like we nourish our body to keep it healthy we have to nourish our soul to keep it healthy.

When both the body and soul are nourished and aligned, we are in a state of awareness. Otherwise we're just looking after the one - usually the body and ignoring the other (usually the soul).

There's nothing to be afraid of or scared of these feelings. Its Allah's way of guiding us.

Do we not recite in Surah Fatiha in every Salah; 'Guide us to the Straight Path.' And then does not Allah answer us in Surah Baqarah; 'This is the Book (Qur'an) in which there is no doubt, in it is guidance for those who fear (Allah).'?

So, its Allah's way of guiding us. We ask and He gives. Simple :)

But how does it all happen really? Why are some people more aware and in tune to their inner core and others completely oblivious of it? Do only some people have it? Do we have to be special to have these feelings?

Well, yes - in a way we do have to be special and YOU are special. Why? Because YOU listen to the Most Gracious and follow His commands so therefore He is there for you, guiding you.

Most people may be oblivious of it because they are busy doing x, y and z in their lives that they just don't have 'time' to focus on their inner core.

But developing inner awareness is essential for us. We have been given the choice between right and wrong and we can only make the right decisions when our inner core is aware.

That doesn't mean if you choose the wrong path you're not a good person. No! That time it was a lesson for us to learn and lessons are good! :)

This inner awareness, this gut feeling, intuition etc happens when we devote our all to Allah that Allah becomes our hearing, our seeing etc and gives us the abilities within us to tune into these natural instincts. Its Allah's way of guiding us to our answers - no hocus pocus or magic. 

"Whosoever shows enmity to someone devoted to Me, I shall be at war with him. My servant draws not near to Me with anything more loved by Me than the religious duties I have enjoined upon him, and My servant continues to draw near to Me with supererogatory works so that I shall love him. When I love him I am his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes and his foot with which he walks. Were he to ask [something] of Me, I would surely give it to him, and were he to ask Me for refuge, I would surely grant him it. I do not hesitate about anything as much as I hesitate about [seizing] the soul of My faithful servant: he hates death and I hate hurting him."

(Hadith Qudsi)

So, what now?

Follow these steps to develop YOUR inner awareness.

Tips and Action Points:

Using the above Hadith Qudsi as a guidance;

1. Pray all your five daily prayers in their earliest and fixed time. Read Qur'an daily. Pray extra night prayers. Try to fast Sunnah fasts on Monday and Thursday. Read your daily adhkaars.

2. Increase in your dhikr and tasbee, for its in the remembrance of Allah that hearts find rest. Concentrate on the dhikr and its meaning. Use your imagination. The mind is a powerful tool. Use it and use it wisely.

3. Spend time in quiet contemplation, alone, just you and Allah. Do dhikr in this time. Talk to Allah. He's your best friend. He created you. Just talk to Him. Become aware of the silence, the space, the quietness, the beat of your own heart.

By following these steps we can become more aware of our inner core. We won't be afraid to listen to our soul. Because the answers are all there - lying dormant, waiting to be awakened. We will become more closer to Allah (swt) our best friend who will become our sight, our hearing and we'll be able to make better choices and decisions insha'Allah! :)

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