In Islam the Prophetic tradition or Sunnah which can also be called as Tao of Islam, literally meaning Way to Divine Submission, includes abundance of solitude, contemplation and adoration of the Divine. While regular prayer remains as a well established principal in living Islam, the place of solitude and contemplation is often overlooked and hence neglected due to over ritualized way of looking at things when it comes to religious practices devoid of spiritual knowledge and understanding.
Spiritual foundation consists of the practice of solitude, contemplation and adoration. While this is true for every single religious tradition, but often we see from reality that this foundation gets ignored and undernourished. As a result, ritual focused religion erected upon no solid spiritual foundation, with time, crumbles and the entire religion become irrelevant, void of meaning and apparently dead.
Within the Islamic tradition, the practice of solitude goes back to the earliest period of the life of the Prophet, may Divine peace and blessings descend upon his noble soul and upon every occasion of remembering his blessed memory.
When the time drew near before finally the revelation broke to him, as we learn from his life, he started to take to solitude more and more. I quote here from the Martin Ling's biography:
.. he began to experience powerful inward signs, in addition to those of which he had already been conscious. When asked about these he spoke of "true visions" which came to him in his sleep and he said that they were "like the breaking of the light of dawn."
The immediate result of these visions was that solitude became dear to him, and he would go for spiritual retreats to a cave in Mount Hira' not far from the outskirts of Mecca. There was nothing in this that would have struck Quraysh as particularly strange, for retreat had been a traditional practice amongst the descendants of Ishmael, and in each generation there had been one or two who would withdraw to a solitary place from time to time so that they might have a period that was uncontaminated by the world of men. In accordance with this age-old practice, Muhammad would take with him provisions and consecrate a certain number of nights to the worship of God. Then he would return to his family, and sometimes on his return he took more provisions and went again to the mountain. During these few years it often happened that after he had left the town and was approaching his hermitage he would hear clearly the words "Peace be on thee, 0 Messenger of God",' and he would turn and look for the speaker but no one was in sight, and it was as if the words had come from a tree or a stone.
Ramadan was the traditional month of retreat, and it was one night towards the end of Ramadan, in his fortieth year, when he was alone in the cave, that there came to him an Angel in the form of a man..."
~ from Martin Ling's Muhammad, his life based on earliest sources (download as PDF)
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| Cave Hira, the location where Prophet used to spend many solitary hours and days |
The aforementioned glimpse at his blessed life inform us that it was solitude which characteristically marked the special period when his heart became ready to receive the direct revelations. By extension this also indicates that when sadhana (spiritual quest and devotion) matures for a seeker of God, solitude is a natural phenomena where the soul seek shelter in.
Taking the incidents of Prophet's taking refuge in the cave for solitude and contemplation by moving away from a busy city life (Mecca was at that time a major cosmopolitan city and a bustling trade hub of the region) some scholars of Islam also say that this is a forgotten Sunnah to get away from busy city or town life to deepen one's spiritual experience as well as deepen one's relationship with the Lord. With the right intention when one embraces solitude, that is the intention of getting close to one's Lord, to remember none but Him, just as revelation broke upon the heart of the habib-Allah, inward illumination breaks as dawn upon the horizon of the heart of lovers.
Solitude is for "ma fi qalbi ghayrullah" - to aspire towards having nothing within this heart except Allah - it is seeking forgiveness for those negligent moments of occupying the Heart with other than Allah and to cleanse the very heart from everything other than Allah (gharullah). Someone once said, "Prayer is not asking, it is the longing of the soul," practice of solitude is to increase that longing of the soul the Union, to beheld the Countenance, to be lost in the Presence.
The experience of Divine Revelation of the Qur'an began in the month of Ramadan while in solitude at the cave Hira outside the city of Mecca. As a continuation of this grand experience, the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam established the practice for the common people to observe solitude in the mosque during the last ten days of Ramadan every month. This practice in Islam is known as i'tikaf.
The arabic word means to stay in some place, to confine one's self to a particular space. In the context of Islam it means to stay in a mosque or even in house for a particular time period in the worship of Allah while maintaining certain conditions to give undivided attention in the remembrance and worship. Itikaf remains to be one of the great spiritual opportunities in the blessed month of Ramadan. During the month of Ramadan, for the last ten days, the Prophet exemplified and practiced solitary retreat at the mosque to guide and show a Path that can be practiced by all, not only an elite group of people or ascetics or monks alone. This is the spiritual democratization of the practice of solitude for common people to give them the taste of solitude.
On I'tikaf, or Spiritual Retreat Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah said:
"Since the hearts' rectitude and firmness upon the path towards Allah the Most High, rests upon directing it solely upon Allah and causing it to turn and give all its attention to Allah the Most High. Since the disorder of the heart cannot be rectified except by turning to Allah the Most High, and its disorder will be increased by eating and drinking too much, mixing with the people excessively, speaking profusely and sleeping too much. These will cause it to wander into every valley, and cut it off from its path to Allah, weaken it, divert it or put a halt to it.
From the Mercy of the Mighty and Most Merciful is that He has prescribed for them fasting, which will cut off the excesses of eating and drinking, and empties the hear of its desires which divert it on its journey to Allah the Most High. He prescribed it in due proportion as will be appropriate and will benefit the servant, with regard to this world and the Hereafter, and does not harm him, nor damage what is beneficial for him.
He also prescribed i'tikaf for them, by which is intended that the heart is fully occupied with Allah, the Most High, concentrated upon Him alone, and cut off from preoccupation with the creation. Rather it is engrossed with Him alone, the One free of all defects, such that remembering Him, loving Him and turning to Him takes the place of all anxieties of the heart and its suggestions, such that he is able to overcome them. Thus all his concerns are for Him. His thoughts are all of remembrance of Him, and thinking of how to attain His Pleasure and what will cause nearness to Him. This leads him to feel contented with Allah instead of the people, so that prepares him for being at peace with Him alone on the day of loneliness in the grave, when there is no one else to give comfort, nor anyone to grant solace except Him. So this is the greater goal of I'tikaf" (from Zaad al Ma'aad fi hadyi khairi al 'ibaab)
The practice of voluntary prayers at the dark watches of the night (Tahajjud) are also there so that solitude can be practiced within an established framework. The practice of experiencing solitude and contemplation is known as Qiyam al-Layl or standing at Night to worship the Lord is a well known tradition within Islamic Spirituality. This has root in the Qur'an: ""O you who is wrapped [in garments of God awareness], arise [to pray] the night, except for a little – half of it – or subtract from it a littleor add to it, and recite the Recitation with measured recitation." ~ Quran 73: 1-4
They are all means to strengthen sadhana or seeking of God. The Prophet said, "The closest one can be to Allah The Almighty, is during the last third of the night. If one can remember Allah at this time let him do so." [At-Tirmithi, An-Nasaa'i and Al-Haaqim]
The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) also said: “You should pray Qiyaam al-Layl, for it is the habit of the righteous people who came before you, and it will bring you closer to your Lord, expiate for bad deeds, prevent sin, and expel disease from the body.”[At-Tirmithi and Ahmad]
“The best of prayer after those prescribed (i.e. obligatory prayer) is that in the depth of night.” [Muslim]
"Indeed, the righteous will be among gardens and springs,accepting what their Lord has given them. Indeed, they were before that doers of good.They used to sleep but little of the night,and in the hours before dawn they would ask forgiveness." [Quran 51: 15-18]
"Is one who is devoutly obedient during periods of the night, prostrating and standing [in prayer], fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord, [like one who does not]? Say, "Are those who know equal to those who do not know?" Only they will remember [who are] people of understanding.''[Quran 39: 9]
The Prophet himself had the habit of getting up regularly at night and used to spend almost the entire night, sometime half of it, sometime one third of it in solitary and long prayer. There are many reports in the traditions on the authority that the Prophet was often found in deep prayer at night.
Even the Intention is rewarded
The Master of Mystics said, may Allah exalt him in the assembly of the illuminated souls in the Divine Court, "Whoever goes to his bed with the intention of getting up and praying during the night, and sleep overcomes him until the morning comes, he will have recorded for him what he had intended, and his sleep will be a charity for him from his Lord." [An-Nasaa'i and Ibn Maajah]
Khalwat and Ozlat: The Two Kinds of Solitude
Khalwat and Ozlat both are Arabic words meaning solitude. However the Sufis use these words in different context:
Khalwat (Empty Solitude) is Solitude when there is nothing in the Sufi’s heart and mind except the Beloved Creator.
Ozlat (Detached Solitude) is Solitude when the Sufi detaches himself from the people to protect them from his Self’s evil and does not protect himself against people. He does not embark upon Solitude to avoid people’s hurt and be at peace from them, in Sufism it is the other way around: To save people from his Self.
Neither of these two means to sit in a cave meditating for years. This is not to confuse the spiritual solitude with physical one. (credit)
Imam Qoshair said, “Khalwat (Empty Solitude) is the characteristic of the people of Safwat (Sufis or pure folk) and Ozlat (Detached Solitude) is the characteristic of people of Waslat (Seekers of reunion with Beloved). The beginner Morid (Avid Seeker) has no choice but to practice Ozlat (Detached Solitude) and travel towards the end, which is the Khalwat (Empty Solitude). When a servant of God willfully embarks upon the Ozlat (Detached Solitude) believes that people should be saved and at peace from his Self’s evil however seeks not his own safety from the evil of the people. First, one needs to humiliate the Self (by not defending against the people) and do not prefer himself or consider himself superior (avoiding the harm to people) to belittle his Self to avoid pomp and arrogance, instead be humble”.
Indeed Ozlat (Detached Solitude) is to tear apart from the Self’s shameful characteristics and Ozlat is the transformation of these into praiseworthy characteristics, not to forsake one’s home and daily life in some remote area. Some said Aref (Divine Cognoscenti) is with the people, on the surface of things, and afar within his depth.
I heard Abu Ali saying, “Wear that which people wear and eat that which people eat but within your hidden depth be afar from them”.
Again I head from Abu Ali, “Someone came to me saying I have traveled far to reach you and I told him this matter has nothing to do with the distance and travel, step beyond your Nafs (Self) and you have reached the desired destination (in a single step in a single moment)”. (That which you love and has been lost a woman a child… step out of your Self and you will find them eternal with Beloved)
Abu Yazid has been quoted, “I saw Allah in my dream and asked the Royal Highness how to reach It, The Majesty responded: Forsake your Self and come”.
Abu Othmaan Maqrebi (Moroccan) said, “Khalwat (Empty Solitude) is the state wherein all memories have been emptied except the remembrance of the Lord, all élan is emptied except the Divine Elan. If this is not the case, then the solitude is nothing but suffering and destruction”.
Yahyaa Mo-Oz said, “Make sure within your Khalwat (Empty Solitude) you have Ons (Divine Intimacy and Affability) with It. Since if in your Khalwat (Empty Solitude) you are affable and intimate with your Self, when you come out of this solitude you shall find your Self again (defeating the purpose). But if your affability was with It then within this Khalwat (Empty Solitude) all places become the same—desert, mountains, cities…
A man came to visit Abu Bakr Warraq asking for advice and he said, “I found the goodness of this world and the world after within scantiness of Khalwat (Empty Solitude) and I found the evil of this world and the world after in opulence and socialization”.
It has been said dignity, honor and greatness befalls the one embarking upon Ozlat (Detached Solitude).
It has been said that Khalwat (Empty Solitude) becomes easy if one eats Halal (Provision obtained through lawful means) and Halal eating does not come about unless by obedience and politeness towards the Lord.
Zan-noon said, “I have seen nothing to bring about sincerity and purity of intentions better than Khalwat (Empty Solitude)”.
Abu Abdallah Ramly said, “May your friend be Khalwat (Empty Solitude), your food the hunger and your conversations the soliloquies, either you die or shall reach the Lord”.
Zan-noon said, “There is no embarking upon Khalwat (Empty Solitude) away from the people unless one has been veiled against the people by Allah”. (Beloved is his veil against the people)
Jonaid said, “The hardship of Ozlat (Detached Solitude) is far less than suffering caused by mixing with people”.
Yahyaa Bin Mo-Oz said, “Solitude is the abode of the truthful”.
I heard Abu Ali quoting Shebly, “Warning People! (Impending) Poverty! Poverty!” People asked what is the sign for upcoming poverty? And he responded, “Sign for poverty is intimacy and affability with people”.
Yahyaa Bin Abi Kathir said, “Whomsoever mixes with people must compromise and whomsoever compromises is guilty of Ria (Arabic word for doing good for people’s eyes to admire)”.
Sa’ad came close by Malek Bin Ma’wal’s house and saw him all alone in there and he asked, “Are you not scared all alone?” and Malek replied, “Have never heard anyone scared aloof by their Lord”.
Jonaid said, “Whomsoever wishes his religion to be healthy and at peace, and his heart and body at comfort tell him embark upon Ozlat (Detached Solitude) since these are horrific times and the wise are aloof”.
Bu Ya’Qoob Soosy said, “Solitude is easy for the one with strong Din (religion) but for folk like us it is best to be in the society facing people and conducting affairs”. (Solitude is not for everyone; a person must have strong spiritual standing to embark upon it)
Abul-Abbas DaamQaany said Shebly advised him, “Embark upon Solitude and delete your name from people’s archives, turn your face to a wall and await your death”.
Someone came to Shoaib Bin Harb and he asked, “Why are you here?” the man responded, “To be close with you”. Bin Harb said, “Worship does not mix with Shirk (Associating equals to Almighty) since whomsoever has no Ons (Divine Intimacy and Affability) with the Lord has no Ons with anything else!” (Wow! And hundred times Wow! If you are not in love with Beloved you are not in love anyone else. If you are not close to your Lord you are not affable and close to anyone else)
Someone asked Zan-noon about the soundness of one’s Ozlat (Detached Solitude) and he replied, “True Solitude is Solitude from one’s own Self”.
Ibn Al-Mobarak was asked, “What is the medicine for the heart?” he replied, “Not seeing the people”.
Sufis have said, “Whenever Allah wishes to elevate someone from the humiliation of sins to greatness of acquiescence and worship, makes the Solitude easy for him enriching him with contentment and give him vision to see his own faults. And whomsoever has these attributes he is given the best of this world and the world after”.
~ from Untired with Loving: Qoshairi Manifest, translated by Dara O. Shayda
Within the impenetrable solitude of the unobservable unseen
Within the impenetrable solitude of Ghayb (Unobservable Unseen), Allah as a Shāhid (Observing Witness) willed a Huwiya (Who-ness, That-ness, IT-ness) and thus manifested ITself to ITself: Manifested with the Divine Attribute of Wahdat (Verbal Oneness) and thus the first primordial Ta’ayyun (Ocular Contrast) i.e. contrast between being absent and being present, caused the Huwiya (Who-ness, That-ness) to emerge (i.e. Hu). ~ Geometrization of Tauhid via Untired with Loving
May God, the Lord of Majesty and Generosity bestow upon us the taste of true solitude, help us to be truly alone with the Real Alone, even while within crowd or in a busy super market and may the Glorious One steal away from us that which steal our hearts away from Him. Indeed Allah has power over all.
Hasbi Rabbi JallaAllah
Ma fi qalbi ghayrullah
Nur Muhammad sallallah
La ilaha illaAllah
Enough is my Lord, glory be to Allah.
None in my heart except Allah.
O brilliant light bearing Muhammad, upon you be peace.
There is no deity except Allah.
# More from Technology of the Heart
* Solitude in the Crowd | Khalwat dar Anjuman
* On Solitude and Divine Name | Reading from In the Vision of God by Swami Ramdas
* Solitude in Sufi Tradition
* Desert Spirituality: From Meditations on the Sand by Alessandro Pronzato
# External Resources
* The Spiritual Retreat (i`tikaf) - The Fiqh of Itikaf
* The Three Types of Spiritual Retreat (i`tikaf)
* The Night Prayer
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