To gain self-awareness and awaken spiritual abilities, Muraqaba should be practiced consistently. Through Muraqaba, our hidden qualities slowly surface, and we eventually gain self-awareness. It is our daily observation that when we try to learn a new skill, any form of art, or to awaken any latent ability, we have to practice using its devised method. Continued practice results in gradual improvement in ability, and eventually, we acquire that skill. For instance, when we try to learn painting, at first, with the supervision of a teacher, we begin by drawing lines on paper, which end up in some kind of sketch. In the beginning, the pencil does not draw what we intend to draw. However, with practice, we are eventually able to draw what we are supposed to.
Example:
A newborn infant does not understand the environment in which he lives the way an adult does. He sees things but is not able to comprehend their meaning or use. Knowledge of the environment comes slowly in a systematic fashion, and intellectual maturity takes years. In the beginning, the child has difficulty utilizing his abilities. When he starts to walk, he first crawls. When he can stand on his feet, for a number of months, he is unable to balance. It takes the effort of many months before he is able to walk on his own.
Speaking starts with broken words, then progresses to incomplete sentences. Often the meanings of words get mixed up. However, with the passing of time, a child is able to converse using complete sentences. Together with individual efforts and the help of teachers and parents, the child is eventually able to read and write after spending years learning.
The point we are trying to make is that when any new ability grows, the consciousness absorbs it gradually. Just as a child goes through different stages of learning to acquire full knowledge about any subject, in the same manner, an adult also has to go through various learning levels to acquire any new skill. More or less, the same condition prevails when someone tries to activate (awaken) esoteric or hidden senses. Since learning hidden senses is a relatively new process for the consciousness, in the beginning, it faces some difficulties and challenges in understanding and using them.
It would be premature to assume that as we close our eyes for Muraqaba, within a day or two, all those observations and experiences would become known that are the essence of Muraqaba. With continued practice and enthusiastic interest, a person gradually journeys through the realm of Muraqaba.
In the beginning, mental focus is hard to achieve. However, with practice, it is eventually achieved. The more focus or concentration is enhanced, the more hidden senses are activated. Based on the consciousness’s strength, the person goes through the spiritual experiences and esoteric observations. Spiritual state and observation increase with time. Once fully achieved, the spiritual abilities can be used at will, just like other physical abilities.
During these stages, spiritual students need a spiritual tutor who can teach them almost as if they were kindergarten students until the student eventually masters his or her own spiritual skills.
The spiritual state and observation vary in every individual and depend on the spiritual and conscious level of that person. That is why only an experienced Spiritual Master (murshid) can analyze an individual’s spiritual strength. However, depending upon the conscious strength, the different levels or stages that any student goes through are more or less the same. Based on strength and ability, the different stages or levels are the following:
Drowsiness
Drowsiness is the earliest stage of Muraqaba. When someone begins the practice of Muraqaba for the first time, often he or she becomes drowsy and goes to sleep. After a few days, the condition that prevails in the mind can neither be called sleep nor wakefulness. This is an interim stage between waking and sleeping. However, the consciousness is not yet aware of that. That is why after the Muraqaba, one feels like he or she saw something but is unable to remember it.
- I did the Muraqaba at 10:17 pm. I was focused straightaway. Often I would go to sleep. I felt like I was washing someone’s feet. Then during the drowsy state, I saw a black shadow (which was not solid) leave out from my body and get absorbed into the front wall.
(Akmal, Lahore) - During Muraqaba, I visualize Qalandar Baba (founder of the Sufi order of Azeemiah). During Muraqaba, my mind remains focused. However, while doing it, I sometimes fall asleep. Then a very light image of Qalandar Baba appears, and when I try to focus on it, I fall asleep. On average, I do Muraqaba for 30 minutes daily. However, except for the initial visualization, nothing else registers in my mind. By the grace of God, my mind is much purified now.
(Tahir Jalil) - Under the influence of sleep, I saw that repentance was being taught. On one occasion during Muraqaba, while I was drowsy, I saw I was meeting with jinns. I felt a little fear. I could not remember the details of the encounter. All day I do the invocation (dhikr) of Ya-Hayyiyu Ya-Qayyumu, which makes me feel that God is always facing me. During prayers as well, the feeling that God is seeing me remains prevalent. Sometimes it leads to ecstasy, during which all I want to do is cry. Once the drowsiness was so strong that I felt that God is present in every piece of sand of this universe, and then I felt like I no longer exist.
(Nasreen)
Colorful Dreams
After a period of practicing Muraqaba, the student usually sees clearer dreams. Sometimes this starts right after going to sleep and continues the entire night. Different scenes come and go in which he sees trees, flowers, greenery, mountains, lush green valleys, lakes, rivers, buildings, birds, and so on. These dreams usually have more depth and detail. Even after waking up, their effect lasts for a while.
The student sees colorful dreams as well. In these dreams, the vision is more colorful compared to other dreams. After seeing colored dreams, the viewer feels joy, delight, and serenity. The reason behind seeing more and clearer dreams is that by practicing Muraqaba, a person’s link with the subconscious increases, and he is able to receive more and more of the flow of subconscious information. When dreams become deeper, the person starts seeing more and more true dreams, in which future outcomes are displayed in actuality rather than symbolically. Whatever that person sees in his dream usually manifests after awakening, or what he sees is proven after he wakes up. Dreams become so clear that interpretation is no longer needed. The person can draw conclusions on his or her own.
Whatever a student sees in his or her dreams, the spiritual master (murshid) gives lessons based on that. Much spiritual knowledge is transferred from the Sufi master to the student through dreams. Using his spiritual power, the master cleans the mind of the student. Impurity is washed and converted into subtlety.
This subtlety is gradually transferred from the dream stage to the awakened stage. Through dreams, the spiritual master has the student journey into the spiritual world. In the spiritual world, students glimpse and have an audience with prophets, saints, and other spiritual personalities. Such matters come before observation so that the student has no choice but to remember them. The images of Roya-e-Sadiqa (true dreams) are so deep that the mind is forced to repeat them.
That is how consciousness gains strength in maintaining the esoteric flow, and the fikr lateef (subtle cognition) flows in the student for a longer period. By seeing more and more dreams, the student’s interest in learning paranormal studies is also enhanced. He or she starts seeing dreams that help avoid future mishaps or ailments.
The following is a list of dreams sent by students and their interpretations given by the author of this book:
Dream 1
A female student reports:
I am very much interested in learning spiritual studies. Whenever I get a chance, I do Muraqaba. The following is a dream that I saw a couple of days ago.
Dream:
I saw a huge field. In the middle of that field, there is a hole similar to a grate. The field is lush green. However, in that grate, a red liquid seemed to be present. Within moments, that liquid turned into a huge flame of fire.
Interpretation:
The dream is reflecting high blood pressure. You need to check with a gynecologist to treat hypertension because it may endanger the life of your unborn baby.
Dream 2
In our busy life, I try to find time to do Muraqaba for 10–15 minutes. Following is a dream that I see very often. A goat is being slaughtered and skinned. However, it is still alive but shows no sign of pain or discomfort, though the eyes show sadness. In the same manner, I sometimes see a cow, and that cow as well shows no sign of pain, but its face reflects injustice. During the dream, I feel their pain and try to run away from it. In real life as well, I cannot see any animal being slaughtered (like during Eid-ul-Adha).
Interpretation:
When there is no hope in life and depression kicks in, it seems like there is no light of hope at all. The subconscious then shows those images during deep sleep.
The hopelessness and disappointment present these symbols in the form of gloomy and sad pictures. These are all the wishes that were not met, and the heart does not have enough strength to replace them with new hopes and wishes. Your dream also points to a weaker mind.
Advice:
During the pre-dawn hours, do brisk walking for at least half an hour. It helps overcome the weakness of the mind.
Dream 3
I went to sleep right after doing Muraqaba. I saw in the dream that a ball of spaghetti came out of my mouth and my mouth was full of them. Some of them were cooked. I shredded some sugar on them and took them back into my mouth. With the help of my fingers, I forced them inside my throat. Right then I saw myself on a mountain, and the rain started. I have seen this dream twice. After getting up early in the morning, I usually get feverish. I have lost my appetite. All day I obsess about that dream.
Interpretation:
The dream is pointing toward an ailment that has to do with the digestive system. The last part of your dream suggests that due to an unbalanced diet, your intestine has become over-sensitive. To see this dream twice suggests that this disorder has not gone away and hence it cannot be ignored. A consultation with your physician and a balanced diet is in order. Otherwise, this could lead to other complications.
Dream 4
After doing Muraqaba, I lay down and went to sleep right away. I saw that I was told by my parents to polish the cooking pot from the polish shop. I told the person doing the polish that I would be back with my cousin. When I got home, my mom gave me mangoes and instructed me to take them to my sister-in-law. Upon reaching my sister-in-law’s home, I was saddened to see her weak and sick. I gave her the mangoes and asked if she could go with me back home. She agreed, and we went back home. Then I saw myself strolling somewhere and I had a cooking pot with me. I also saw black stains on my clothes.
Interpretation:
Overindulgence in sugar is causing trouble. Proper treatment has not been done yet, which led to the outbreak of the disease that sometimes remains dormant. When the next outbreak occurs, please see your physician and follow his advice.
Dream 5
I am a retired government officer. I am 65 years old. I do Muraqaba every night for 15 minutes before going to bed. I saw in my dream that my son is getting married even though he is already married, and I saw that his wife is actively involved in his second wedding.
Interpretation:
You made a promise to someone but have not fulfilled it. Your conscience is reminding you of your obligation. Listen to your conscience, or else you may have a nervous breakdown eventually.
Dream 6
Last night after doing Muraqaba, I went to sleep right away. I saw that my neighbor’s house was on fire and the fire eventually reached our home and part of it was burning. I, instead of extinguishing the fire, was wishing that it would grow. My dad warned me not to inflame the fire; otherwise, the roof would fall and the entire house would be destroyed, and that would be a huge loss to us.
Interpretation:
This dream is a warning. The person who saw the dream should avoid behavior that led to a situation in his business and on which he is wrongly insisting. He should rethink and change his behavior.
Dream 7
I often go to sleep after doing Muraqaba. One night I saw in a dream that I have a 4-year-old daughter. My sister-in-law is insisting that I should beat my daughter because she is not pretty. I then grab her hand and my sister-in-law cuts her hand. After that, I sever my daughter’s hand. Then after a few moments, when I see her, I see that her hands are okay and are attached to her body. Then I see one of her hands is cut, and the other has only one finger and a thumb. I get frightened and start crying and I say to myself how bad I am that I cut the limb of my own daughter.
Interpretation:
Symbolic images of backbiting and uncontrolled anger were displayed in the dream. The subconscious is strongly protesting this behavioral pattern. If the guidance of the subconscious is not followed, the consequences will not be pleasant.
Dream 8
Since last Saturday, I have started practicing Muraqaba after the pre-dawn prayers. The other night I saw in my dream that I am going to Karachi. On my way to Karachi, I met several people who stabbed me. My whole body was bloodied. Then I saw that they locked me in a room. When I was stabbed, I shouted and cried; however, during crying, no tears were coming out of my eyes. The place where I was locked, there was another man who slaughtered a pony and gave me the flesh. Then I saw a huge jungle in which bears, lions, cheetahs, and dogs were roaming freely. They started following me, but I was able to run faster and started flying in the air. When I landed, I was surprised to see that there were no animals around. Then I started to climb a thorny tree, and all of a sudden, a bear started chasing me. I climbed a mountain and saw an elephant. The elephant ran away after seeing another man; however, the bear stood there. Then, after coming down from the mountain, I started attacking the bear with a knife. The bear ran away after that, and I returned to my city (Multan).
Interpretation:
All the different sketches of the dream point to anxiety, insecurity, worries, and ailing health. All these conditions came into being because the person who saw the dream is overly emotional. There is no balance in life. Consumption of food is improper as well.
Dream 9
I usually do Muraqaba daily and try not to miss it. I saw a dream, which I would like you to interpret for me. I saw that it was nighttime. The sky was light blue. When I looked up at the sky, I saw bright stars. In the middle of the stars was a big moon. Near the moon, there was a fairy standing, wearing a glittery dress. She was wearing a shiny crown and had a white stick in her hand. There were stars in that stick as well, and she was smiling at me.
Interpretation:
Ever since early childhood, you have had a habit of thinking and daydreaming. Due to the overindulgence of that behavior, you have become ultra-sensitive. Because of this, you have become unhappy and depressed. Life seems like a collection of unhappy events. When that condition became serious and the nervous system itself was being affected, it showed you this pleasant dream so that you may feel lighthearted. The dream you saw must have been quite a while ago because it does not reflect anything about the practice of Muraqaba that you have been doing.
Dream 10
Ever since I started Muraqaba, I have been seeing geometrical figures in my dreams often. Whenever I see them, I get scared. These figures sometimes evolve into a tree.
Interpretation:
These figures represent close friends who spend most of their time in each other’s company. Either they spend time together every day or at least several times a week. There are a total of six or seven friends. Three of them are naive, down-to-earth, and nice. However, the others are the bad seeds. They are the kind of friends who give you wrong advice and are bad influences.
Advice:
You have to be very cautious of these friends who give you intentionally wrong advice. Otherwise, you could end up in big trouble.
Dream 11
I have always been interested in learning paranormal sciences. I have seen some dreams in the past few days whose interpretation I am seeking.
- I was standing at the window of my room and heard Prophet Muhammad ﷺ reciting the Qur’an in the basement. I said to myself how beautiful the voice of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ really is.
- I saw myself donning white clothes and standing at my school. Standing beside me was the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, who was wearing white clothes as well. There were some people around too. Nearby, a big candle was glowing. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ then said that the time of his death was approaching and angels were descending from heaven. I started sobbing and said to him not to talk like that, and I held his forearms and took him to another room. Two other men also accompanied us. They were standing to his right and left.
- During the month of Sha‘ban (the 8th Islamic month), I saw myself strolling on the terrace of my home after bathing. All of a sudden, a white cloud started emitting light and fell on the front wall. The light started writing the Kalima on the wall. I then started reciting the Kalima myself. I called my mom and sister to come, but when they arrived, the light went off.
- A few days ago, I saw in a dream that it was nighttime and a full moon was on the horizon. All of my family was on the roof of my house. Everyone said how lovely the moonlight was. I too liked the moon, and the moment I raised my hand towards it, it came into my hand.
Interpretation:
From early childhood, your ability to learn spiritual sciences was activated. Nature wants to use your spiritual abilities to assist the mission of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, and God willing, you will be able to help spread his mission. The best thing would be for you to select a spiritual master who has gone through the ups and downs of the spiritual path to assist you in your spiritual endeavors.
I pray that God makes you a source of peace and serenity for His creatures and a medium through which the spiritual mission of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is spread across the globe. (Ameen)
The interpretation of all the dreams that you have seen is what I just stated above.
Dream 12
I went to sleep after performing Muraqaba. I saw in my dream that my husband and I, along with another man and woman, were going somewhere. This woman took us to a desert, took my hand, and started running. We were running in a circular formation, and I felt like we were sinking in the sands while running. Then I felt as if we were not the only ones—instead, there were thousands of men and women. Everyone was holding each other’s hands, and though the sand was up to their necks, they kept running. I could not tell how exciting it was. Suddenly I felt like we were circling the Holy Kaaba. It was very dark, but I knew that my family was there too. Though I could not tell which members of my family were there, I did know that my aunt was there. Then a white pigeon came and the entire place lit up. In the dark, I could only see that pigeon; then I heard the voice of my aunt asking, “Did you know who that pigeon was?” I asked her who it was, and she said it was Sufi Master Muhammad Zachariah. I woke up right then. This is the second time in six months that I have seen him. In the first dream, I saw his tomb.
Interpretation:
Sufi Master Zachariah was a Qutb (see glossary). Since you have seen him in your dream, you are definitely going to receive spiritual blessings (faith) from him. Please arrange for Qur’an Khawani and lungar for his soul.
Dream 13
I have been doing Muraqaba twice: first before going to bed and second at the pre-dawn hour. I saw in my dream that I am running up the stairs, which are going all the way up the hill. At the hilltop, there is a tomb of some Sufi master. A few days later, I saw a similar dream of running up the stairs. When I reached the top, there was a shrine of some Sufi master. I was spiritually overwhelmed at the scene. I wanted to enter the shrine, but then I woke up.
Before seeing these dreams, I saw a long time ago that some Sufi saints were descending from the sky in a jeep. Their faces were glowing. They saw me and then went away, then came back and returned toward the sky in the same jeep.
A couple of years ago, when I was in Karachi, I saw a dream after performing the pre-dawn prayers and taking a nap. I saw a huge serpent coming toward me. I quickly put a basket made of wood on top of it. Right away, a bright light started coming from that basket.
Interpretation:
You have genuine interest in learning spiritual sciences, and your soul is telling you that if you practice with persistence, you will eventually succeed. During the period when you saw the dream about the snake and the basket, you had tonsillitis. If you get that again, make sure you complete the treatment and the full course of medicine. Chronic tonsillitis could result in other complications. My experience shows that chronic tonsillitis could cause polio as well. Using color therapy oil made from yellow light is the best cure for tonsillitis.
Dream 14
Every night before going to bed, I do Muraqaba of “visualization of the Sufi master.” One night I saw that a Sufi master (author) called on us at our home. I was so happy that I wished I could tell the whole city. On our roof, there is a pot of roses whose branches extend to our terrace. We all were chatting. Then I informed all my friends that our Sufi Shaykh was visiting, and they all came to see him. My mom expressed the desire to visit Karachi, and the Sufi Shaykh invited us as well and said he would send his men to pick us up from the station. Their sign would be that they would be carrying olive oil. Then my younger sister and I went to see the Sufi Shaykh with our relative, and then I shouted, “Look who is here!” After seeing the dream, my mom woke me up. It was the time of dawn prayers.
Interpretation:
The dream will manifest in reality exactly the way you have seen it. In fact, your devotion has activated your inner eye in your dream. May God grant you immense spiritual improvement. (Ameen)
Dream 15
I went to sleep right after doing Muraqaba and saw in my dream that two lions are sitting in a tall tree. I asked my uncle to bring a gun. While he was searching for the gun, the lions came out of the tree and went into the woods. My two cousins were going toward the woods, and I warned them about the lions, but they ignored my advice and went anyway. One of them was attacked by the lion, and it took her feet into its mouth. People were gathered at the scene; however, no one had the courage to intervene. I went ahead and saved her from the clutches of the lion. She looked at me thankfully. I took her into my arms and sent her home.
Interpretation:
Man is composed of elements. These elements are in order. God makes the decision of their quantity. Balance is kept in creation, and there is a system of values. In this sense, sexual thoughts are also a gift of nature. There are ways to accommodate them. However, to indulge in erotic thoughts way ahead of time and to focus on them constantly is a waste of time and injurious to health as well. Things that come with time and appropriate conditions should be accepted. Man is entitled to desire but is not authorized to impose his will on others. This is what the Qur’an teaches. Values are based on that, and we nevertheless surrender to this Divine Rule. All aspects of the dream are pointing toward this.
Dream 16
After doing Muraqaba, I went to bed immediately. I saw in my dream that in the sky, the words Allah and Muhammad were written. Surrounding these were flowers in a cloudy way. On my right hand, there was a man, and I said to him that if the people or the government asked me to testify about this, then I would testify. I have seen these two names with my own eyes. I often see myself praying or performing wudu in my dreams.
Interpretation:
Beholding the glorious written names of God and Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in the sky points to the pure and honest beliefs of the beholder. On the other hand, it also refers to success in life and a better future.
Dream 17
I am a student in the eleventh grade. It has been three months since I started doing Muraqaba. One night I saw a strange dream whose interpretation I am seeking from you. The dream is as follows:
I am returning home from the house of my tutor. On my way back, I looked toward the northeast side of the sky and saw many moons, and each of them had verses written on them. I became ecstatic by looking at it. At that moment, as I turned back to return to my tutor, I saw on the southeast side of the sky a verse of Surah al-Rahman of the Qur’an. I went straight to my tutor’s home. I informed him about it, and he came along with me to see it. However, he could not see it. Right then, I woke up. I tried to go back to sleep to see that writing one more time but could not.
I related this dream to my tutor the next day, and he said it shows that my future is bright. Please interpret the dream for me.
Interpretation:
The rule of giving dream interpretation is that once an interpretation is given, any other interpretation of the same dream should not be given. Because after listening to the interpretation, the subconscious registers it. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ instructed that dreams should only be shared with a person who has some knowledge of the technicalities of giving interpretation. Dreaming is one of the branches of Divine Knowledge (‘Ilm-e-Ladunni). This Divine Knowledge is not something that can be learned in academies. It is a gift from Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and is received only through his blessings.
Dream 18
I went to sleep right after Muraqaba. In the dream, I saw that I am in the residence of my maternal grandmother and watching the sky glittering. One of the stars, which is red, suddenly falls under my feet. Everyone was surprised. Then that star became a grey-colored bowl. It seemed like that bowl was ancient and sacred.
Interpretation:
The dream is about your future. Your married life will be happy and good. In addition, from your maternal side, a spirit will take a physical form and will be a source of pride for the whole family. I pray to God that what this dream is informing us is fulfilled and no family dispute ruins it.
Dream 19
For the last month, I have been doing Muraqaba before going to bed. I have seen many dreams so far. Someone donning a white dress came to see my father, silently fetched some documents from the drawer, put them in his pocket, and left. My father did not ask him any questions either. Then I woke up.
I saw in my dream that in my city a huge market near the main road had been constructed and was now ready for business. I was taken aback by this market. I wished that I could climb to the top of the building, then I woke up. The next morning I turned to see if there was anything out there, but there was nothing.
Interpretation:
In the first dream, those papers symbolize money which you are about to receive unexpectedly. It is going to be a large amount. The second dream is also similar to the first, suggesting how money will bring more prosperity.
Dream 20
I performed Muraqaba one night. The other night, I saw in a dream that my four friends and I were sailing. I was the captain of the ship. Suddenly the ocean dried up, and the ship came to rest on a mountain on an island. We were all perplexed about how to continue our journey. One of them suggested that after rainfall, there would be enough water for the ship to sail again. Shortly afterward, the rain clouds came, and with thunder and wind, heavy rain started to fall. There was enough water afterward that I took the ship out of there and started sailing again.
Interpretation:
The four friends are symbols of many plans and ideas that are stuck in the mind. These plans are for one purpose only, because all the friends are on the same ship. In order to fulfill the plans, there were some obstacles that caused hopelessness. Then help came from a hidden source, and things started getting better. This has been going on for a while. Rain is the symbol of Divine Help. In the end, the sailing of the ship symbolizes eventual triumph.