Members of the religious establishment often declare Muraqaba (meditation) to be something outside of religion. They also claim that it could not be found in the Scriptures. This whole argument may impress someone with a marginal mind, but when we look at this matter with wisdom and depth, the earlier notion simply melts away. When we look into the teachings of Scriptures including the Qur’an, we find that their main message is for us to contemplate.
Contemplation means to explore with all the mental capabilities the numerous signs scattered all over the Universe. The second main institution of religion is prayer (salat).
Salat is a very broad term that literally means to form a connection. Here it means that through contemplation a person is able to form a connection with the Divine. Contemplation is Muraqaba.
Muraqaba could not be limited to a specific pose because Muraqaba, in essence, is a mental activity or state. The system of rules and regulation put forth by religion has room for both outward and inward inspirations. Every pillar and activity has its outward (zahir) form as well as an inward (batin) or meaningful state. Both sides are equally important.
Through obligatory religious acts, the most desired inward state is the station of ihsaan (higher awareness). The prophet Muhammad has defined ihsaan in these words:
“When you perform salat, do it in such a way as if you were beholding God or that He were watching you.”