Lost in the cave

Islam is generally discussed in terms of its visible forms: the daily five prayers, fasting and adhering to Islamic Shariah. Although these are essential parts of deen, we have forgotten another important dimension: khalwah (seclusion) and tafakkur (contemplation).

Reflective silence and solitude were fundamental to the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He spent days in isolation in the Cave of Hira, searching for the meaning of life and pondering the existential questions. It was in that very cave that the Qur’an was first revealed. To me, this cannot be mere coincidence.

Some aspects of this practice closely resemble what contemporary psychology calls mindfulness. It involves being aware of our thoughts and emotions without judgment or reaction. Nowadays, we are so used to escapism, the notion of sitting quietly with ourselves makes us uneasy and restless. We try to escape our thoughts mainly because we have not yet emotionally processed something very heavy and heartbreaking. But in order to find peace within ourselves and not be governed by our wounds or trauma, we must first detach ourselves from the external world and our automatic thoughts — allowing the space to think and reflect.

Try this: Sit alone and allow your thoughts and emotions to arise naturally for 15 to 20 minutes a day (you may increase the time period gradually). Set a timer and put your phone aside. No matter how uncomfortable it gets, don’t move. Observe your thoughts without any criticism or judgement. Do it for two weeks, you feel the positive changes in life.

Zona Naz, Karachi, Pakistan