Mindfulness is everywhere—from therapy rooms to meditation apps, it’s become a go-to strategy for managing stress and staying grounded. But in Islam, a deeper form of mindfulness has existed for over a millennium. It’s called muraqabah, and while it shares some surface-level similarities with secular mindfulness, its roots, goals, and spiritual depth are entirely distinct.
What Is Mindfulness?
In contemporary psychology, mindfulness is defined as “paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, nonjudgmentally” (Jon Kabat-Zinn). It helps calm the nervous system, reduce anxiety, and cultivate awareness of one’s thoughts and sensations without reacting to them.
Mindfulness practices—often derived from Buddhism or stripped of spiritual context—focus on attention regulation and acceptance. The goal is often internal balance, clarity, and mental resilience.
What Is Muraqabah?
Muraqabah is an Islamic spiritual practice that means “to observe” or “to watch over.” It stems from the idea of being constantly aware that Allah is watching you, and in turn, you watch your own heart and actions. It’s deeply tied to taqwā (God-consciousness) and the pursuit of inner purification (tazkiyah).
The Prophet ﷺ defined iḥsān—the highest level of faith—as:
“To worship Allah as though you see Him, and if you do not see Him, know that He sees you.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Hadith Jibrīl)
This state of muraqabah isn’t just a mental exercise. It’s a continuous orientation of the soul toward Allah. Classical scholars like Imam al-Muḥāsibī, Imam al-Ghazālī, and Ibn al-Qayyim treated muraqabah as essential to spiritual development.
Key Differences
| Mindfulness | Muraqabah |
|---|---|
| Present-moment awareness | God-conscious awareness |
| Neutral, observational | Spiritually intentional |
| Often secular or Buddhist-derived | Deeply embedded in Islamic tradition |
| Goal: reduce suffering, increase well-being | Goal: draw closer to Allah, purify the soul |
| Focus on thoughts/sensations | Focus on the state of the heart and actions |
Where mindfulness helps us notice, muraqabah helps us return—to Allah, to truth, to purpose.
Can We Use Mindfulness in an Islamic Way?
Yes—with intention. The external techniques of mindfulness (such as breath awareness or body scanning) can become meaningful spiritual practices when paired with Islamic intention (niyyah) and remembrance (dhikr).
For example, noticing the breath becomes a way to remember al-Ḥayy, the Ever-Living. Scanning the body can become a moment of gratitude for the trust we’ve been given over our limbs.
Practical tips
- Start with Intention
Before any mindfulness practice, silently say: “I intend to be present for the sake of Allah.” Let that reframe your attention. - Use the Name of Allah in Breath
Inhale with “Allāh,” exhale and release attachment. This method, drawn from the Sufi tradition (see al-Qushayrī’s Risālah), anchors the heart in remembrance. - End with Muhāsabah
At the end of your day, ask: Where was my heart today? Did I remember my Lord, or forget?
(Inspired by ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb: “Take account of yourselves before you are taken to account.”)
Final Thought:
Mindfulness can center you—but muraqabah transforms you. While both involve awareness, only one is rooted in the reality that Allah sees you—and calls you back to Him with every breath.
Sources & Further Reading:
- Al-Ghazālī, Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn, Book 38: Kitāb al-Murāqabah
- Ibn al-Qayyim, Madarij al-Salikin
- Al-Qushayrī, Risālah al-Qushayriyyah
- Rothman, A. (2021). Developing a Contemporary Islamic Psychology
- Haque, A., & Keshavarzi, H. (2014). “Integrating Islamic Traditions in Modern Psychology”
- Kabat-Zinn, J. (1990). Full Catastrophe Living
- How to be a Mindful Muslim – Yaqeen Institute
- How to be a Mindful Muslim
- A Beginner’s Guide to Islamic Meditation
