O son, woe unto us for wanting creations (that someone special perhaps) to remember us when we should be remembering the One who remembers us and never forget us. If He had forgotten us, we would have been vanished, died, maybe. But even then, dying and everything that befall us are all in His Knowledge and amr (management) so effectively speaking, He never leaves us in His remembrance. And yet our lower nafs is distracted from the real remembrance that we still think of someone else, wondering if 'he/she is thinking of me as I think of her/him'. While we may be thinking of him/her, we cannot be sure if it's reciprocated. However, the Creator has promised us: "So remember Me, I will remember you." (Qur'an 2:152)
When do we really remember Him earnestly? When illness overcomes us (hopefully) and when we receive unexpected bounties (perhaps). Oh then we would do the lipservice and proclaim Alhamdulillah out loud. But how much of that gratitude sinks in our deepest heart? Do we say it for people to hear? Perhaps, for a change we should say Alhamdulillah quietly in our hearts and whisper meaningfully to the Greatest One as often as possible and be grateful that we are still breathing. That is why Habib Yusuf al-Bakhour once said, "those who truly know and love Allah, they watch their breath. On each inhale and exhale, not a single breathing is wasted without mahabbah - a deep sense of love, bonding, remembrance and gratitude for Allah."
Al-Qushayri said in Principles of Sufism:
"Among the qualities unique to remembrance is that it is not limited to appointed times. Indeed, the servant is commanded to make remembrance of God, whether as a duty or as a recommendation, at all times. The daily prayers, however, even though they are the noblest act of devotion, are not permitted at certain times. Remembrance of the heart is continual, in all conditions. God Most High commends "Those who make remembrance of God standing, sitting, and lying on their sides" (Qur'an 3:191)
The prophet s.a.w said:
"O people, graze in the meadows of the Paradise."
We asked, 'what are the meadows of Paradise?'
He s.a.w replied:
"The gatherings formed for making remembrance of God.
Go forth, morning and evening, in remembrance of God.
Let he who desires to know his standing with God,
look at the rank he accords God.
The rank God Most High grants to His servant corresponds to the rank his servant accords Him."
Translator credit: V. Schlegell
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