Mushāhadah
مشاهدةDefinition
Spiritual witnessing — a level of nearness to Allah in which the heart perceives His presence with a clarity approaching that of physical sight. The definition of Ihsan — 'to worship Allah as though you see Him' — points toward this station. Ibn al-Qayyim presents mushahada as the destination toward which consistent dhikr is travelling: each moment of genuine remembrance brings the heart incrementally closer to this experience of divine proximity. It is not a mystical achievement reserved for an elite few but the natural culmination of a heart that has made dhikr its constant companion over a sustained period of dedicated practice.
As understood in the classical tradition of Ibn al-Qayyim and the scholars of his school.
How the scholars use Mushāhadah.
-
"I am the Perpetual Forgiver of whoever repents and believes and does righteous deeds and then remains guided. And He also says: "Indeed, the mercy of Allah is near to the doers of good. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "Ihsan [excellence] is to worship Allah as though you see Him. This hadith of Ihsan is unanimously agreed upon, reported by Ibn Umar. Allah also says: "By time, indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and exhorted each other to truth and exhorted each other to patience."
— Imam al-Ghazali, Book 30: The Condemnation of Self-Delusion
Appears in
1 book in the library
Hear the term in context.
Every book above uses Mushāhadah the way the classical scholars meant it. Listen with the full Study Kit in the app.