What is the true meaning of tafakur? In Arabic, tafakur refers to the act of contemplating or thinking deeply to understand the essence of something. Simply put, it is the profound process of using both reason and the heart to reflect on the signs of Allah’s greatness, His endless blessings, and our own personal shortcomings.
In Islam, tafakur is not a passive activity; it is a dynamic spiritual practice that directs the mind and heart to draw closer to the Creator, solidify the six pillars of faith, and elevate one’s spiritual awareness. In the Qur’an, Allah frequently commands humanity to reflect, such as in Surah Ali ‘Imran, verse 191, which praises those who deeply contemplate the creation of the heavens and the earth.
This article will thoroughly explore what contemplation (tafakur) entails in Islam, its specific categories, and how to practice it correctly based on classical Islamic texts.
Understanding Tafakur in Islam
Tafakur is an active contemplation that harmonizes the intellect with the soul. In Islam, it is a primary pathway to knowing Allah through His vast creation, recognizing His grace, and engaging in sincere self-introspection.
According to the classical text Kāshifat as-Sajā (page 12), Islamic scholars categorize tafakur into five main aspects, each producing a distinct and profound spiritual impact. Tafakur is considered an act of worship that actively increases piety and softens the heart. The virtues of this practice are immense: it transforms a person to become deeply grateful, mindful of divine accountability, and highly motivated to perform righteous deeds. Through sincere contemplation, one discovers true inner peace and a crystal-clear purpose in life.
The 5 Types of Tafakur in Islam
Based on the explanations found in Kāshifat as-Sajā, here are the five essential types of contemplation in Islam:
1. Contemplating Allah’s Creation (Tafakur Alam)
Tafakur alam means reflecting upon the magnificent creations in the universe—the majestic skies, the vast oceans, and the intricate biology of living creatures—to recognize Allah’s absolute majesty. This form of reflection is heavily encouraged in the Qur’an, such as in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 164, which highlights the signs of Allah in the alternation of day and night. Observing nature inevitably leaves one in awe of divine power, motivating a deeper faith in Allah and a desire for obedience.
2. Reflecting on the Blessings of Allah
Pondering over the countless blessings Allah has bestowed—such as health, a loving family, or daily sustenance—nurtures a profound sense of love (mahabbah) and immense gratitude. This reflection prevents us from taking life for granted and encourages us to utilize these blessings solely in the path of obedience.
3. Reflecting on Allah’s Promises
Contemplating the divine promises mentioned in the Qur’an—such as Paradise (Jannah) and the beautiful rewards awaiting the righteous—ignites a passionate longing (raghbah) to attain His infinite grace. It serves as powerful motivation to perform good deeds and live strictly in accordance with Islamic teachings.
4. Reflecting on Allah’s Warnings
Reflecting on divine warnings—such as the reality of the Hellfire or the punishment for deliberate sins—evokes a healthy spiritual fear (rahbah). This reverent fear acts as a vital shield, protecting a believer from wrongdoing and maintaining a high state of spiritual vigilance.
5. Self-Reflection and Introspection
This involves scrutinizing one’s own flaws, mistakes, and negligence in fulfilling religious duties. True self-reflection produces a profound sense of modesty and shame before Allah, which becomes the catalyst for self-improvement.
To preserve the academic trust (amanah ‘ilmiyyah), here is the verbatim explanation from Kāshifat as-Sajā (page 12) regarding these five types:
فائدة : قال جمهور العلماء : إن التفكر على خمسة أوجه : إما في آيات الله ويلزمه التوجه إليه واليقين به , أو في نعمة الله ويتولد عنه المحبة , أو في وعد الله ويتولد عنه الرغبة , أو في وعيد الله ويتولد عنه الرهبة , أو في تقصير النفس عن الطاعة ويتولد عنه الحياء بالفتح والمد وهو الانقباض والانزواء .
Translation: An Important Note: The majority of scholars have stated that tafakur is of five types: Contemplating the signs of Allah, which necessitates turning to Him and having certainty; contemplating the blessings of Allah, which generates love; contemplating the promises of Allah, which generates longing; contemplating the warnings of Allah, which generates fear; and contemplating the soul’s shortcomings in obedience, which generates ‘Haya” (shame/modesty)—which is defined as shrinking back and distancing oneself from error.
The Signs and Benefits of True Reflection
Contemplation is intimately tied to the life of the heart. According to Kāshifat as-Sajā, the renowned Sufi master Ibn ‘Ata’illah al-Iskandari noted in his Al-Hikam:
من علامات موت القلب عدم الحزن على ما فاتك من الطاعات وترك الندم على ما فعلته من وجود الزلات
Translation: “Among the signs of the death of the heart is the absence of sadness over the acts of obedience you have missed, and the abandonment of regret over the mistakes you have committed.”
Self-reflection increases self-awareness and motivates sincere repentance (tawbah). By acknowledging personal shortcomings, a believer becomes deeply cautious in their daily actions.
How to Practice Tafakur Daily
Tafakur means training the mind and soul to reflect routinely. It can easily be implemented through practical daily habits:
- During Worship: Taking a moment to evaluate whether your daily prayer (salah) is performed with true presence and devotion (khushu’).
- Nature Observation: Looking at the night sky and reflecting on the vastness of the cosmos compared to human insignificance.
- Morning Gratitude: Acknowledging the blessing of waking up healthy and expressing it through morning dhikr or charity.
- Qur’anic Reflection: Grounding your thoughts by reading and deeply understanding the verses, fueled by a firm belief in Allah’s books.
However, reflection must lead to action. Sheikh Nawawi al-Bantani quotes another profound wisdom from Ibn ‘Ata’illah:
الحزن على فقدان الطاعات في الحال مع عدم النهوض أي الارتفاع إليها في المستقبل من علامات الاغترار
Translation: “Sorrow over missing acts of obedience in the present, without actively striving to rise towards them in the future, is a sign of delusion.”
True reflection is never passive; it demands concrete efforts to improve one’s character and worship.
Conclusion
Tafakur is a simple yet profoundly transformative act of worship. By understanding its essence and actively practicing the five types of contemplation—reflecting on Allah’s creations, blessings, promises, warnings, and our own shortcomings—we can drastically improve our spiritual quality.
Start small. Dedicate five minutes tonight to reflect on the blessings you received today or evaluate your recent actions. Let us make tafakur a daily habit to cultivate a vibrant heart that is intimately close to Allah.
Reference
Muḥammad bin ʿUmar Nawawī al-Jāwī al-Bantānī, Kāshifat as-Sajā fī Sharḥ Safīnat al-Najā, digital version (Maktabah al-Shāmilah ad-Dzahabiyyah, accessed via Ketabonline), p. 12.
