The Seeker's Focus

 


Surah An Najm describes the Prophet's manners when he approached the limits of the holy perimeter in the 7th heaven during the Meraaj. He exerted utmost focus, attention and adab to learn whatever her was being shown of the wonders of the heavens. 

The ˹Prophet’s˺ sight never wandered, nor did it overreach.

His sight was not distracted by attractions around him, nor did it exceed the object of focus that he was made to see. When he learned from Gibraeel (AS) he did so sitting right in front of him, neither to the right of him, nor to the left. He took the Quran directly and with full attention form him so that there were no mistakes or forgetfulness in his acquisition of its knowledge.

Focus is an essential element of learning that is so elusive in our lives. In an age of distraction filled with media, smartphones, gadgets, appointments, intrusions and responsibilities, it is very difficult to focus. Yet focus is an essential ingredient of learning. We need to simplify our lives to remove distractions which make concentration difficult. Reducing the distractions from TV, audios, videos, the internet, social media, and nonessential appointments is vital to focus.

The ability to sacrifice things in order to develop focus regularly and for prolonged periods is essential for success for a serious student of knowledge.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Got the Dunya. What About the Deen?

Image
In Surah An Najm, Allah says So turn away from whoever turns his back on Our message and desires not except the worldly life. That is their sum of knowledge. Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who strays from His way, and He is most knowing of who is guided. It is often worldly knowledge and achievements that give us honor, status, and prestige in the community. We become people of influence who make decisions. We are sought after for advice and financial support. This situation might be a trap if we are not careful. We may become complacent about our shortcomings and deficiencies. When we "make it" in the world, it does not mean that we know everything there is to know. It does not give us a license to become an authority in every subject. This is especially true for the deen. People who have expertise in the dunya, as well as the deen, are exceedingly rare. There are many fields of study in which they ask us to leave the deen at the lecture room door. It is advisable to n...
Read more

Divine Favors

Image
Busy with work... Busy with studies... Busy with family... We keep moving like clockwork from one task to the next, never pausing to sit down and reflect on higher issues that really matter. Just why am I doing what I am doing? What meaning will it give me in my life? How will that cause me to develop holistically? Try to stop and think about the significance of so many phenomena that are transpiring around you. It is a large jigsaw puzzle that we need to put together around our striving to understand our struggle in the proper context on the bigger canvas, Without attempting to do so, it is easy to stress out, living lives lacking meaning and wisdom.  If we realize that we worship Ar-Rahman -- the Most Merciful -- we will understand that whatever situation He puts us in, it is best for us. Regardless, if we lose that job, lose our spouse, or suffer financial loss, it is meant to be the best for us. Alhamdulillah ala kulli haal . There are no whys in life, there is only acceptin...
Read more

Rizq min Allah

Image
  Whatever is to be given to us / held back from us has already been preordained in the skies. When we used to visit Pakistan in summer vacations, our paternal aunt was very fond of bathing in the monsoon rain showers. We used to wait for the heavens to pour down the blessings so that we me become wet in the privacy of our courtyard. Indeed, the skies open up with blessings that are a source of our joy, sustenance and growth for mankind.  Prophet Ayob (AS) was sent a swarm of locusts, from Allah, made of gold when he recovered from his illness, which he eagerly collected as wealth. Allah asked him about this eagerness and he replied that should be not gather all the bounty from his Lord eagerly? In Abu Dhabi, I moved away from the department I had worked in for 8 years, but was officially tied to them. The next year, I received a salary increment due to my performance at the new position. The old department manager called me to his office and told me "Rizq min Allah" (provisi...
Read more