muraqaba

Muraqabah is a Sufi practice of contemplative awareness of God. The term comes from the Arabic raqabah, meaning watchfulness or vigilance. In muraqabah, the practitioner seeks to perceive the divine presence and to align intention, heart, and conduct with God.

In traditional usage, muraqabah emphasizes inward attention rather than outward ritual, though it may accompany dhikr (remembrance). The aim is to purify the heart (tazkiyah) and cultivate tawhid, the oneness of God, by maintaining constant awareness of God in thoughts, actions, and feelings. It is often described as a form of spiritual watching that transcends ordinary distraction.

Practices vary by Sufi order but commonly include a period of quiet seated meditation, focus on the heart or breath, and contemplation of divine attributes or names. Some forms emphasize silent, sustained attention; others use rhythmic breathing, visualization, or recitation of short formulas with the breath. Practitioners typically begin with intention (niyyah) and may conclude with gratitude and supplication.

Historically, muraqabah appears in early Sufi writings and remains central in many orders. It is especially associated with the Naqshbandi path, which emphasizes silent, inward vigilance, though it is also found in Chishti and Qadiriyya traditions. It is often described as part of a broader system of spiritual stations and states (maqamat and ahwal) rather than a standalone technique.

In contemporary contexts, muraqabah is sometimes presented alongside secular mindfulness practices, but its framing remains explicitly spiritual, aiming for experiential awareness of God’s presence and nearness.