Introspection

Salam Rajab and Happy New Year 2025 to all. I hope everyone had a meaningful 2024 and may this new year be a better one God willing.

I’d like to take the opportunity this new year to remind myself and share with all to look inwards. Let us practice introspection to self-reflect and be more self-aware of our actions. To awaken and actualize our authentic Soul.

Allah mentions in the Quran Surah Fussilat (Q41:53) “We shall manifest Our signs for them all over the cosmos and in their own Souls until they see clearly that this is God’s universal truth. Does it not suffice that your Lord is witness unto all things?”

Allah in His wisdom created us with eyes that naturally see-out with the ability to see His signs and truth that are external to us. Introspection however allows us to see-in, to know our Souls, to reflect upon His signs and truth within us. Seeing-in is to perceive and understand things beyond material and physical senses. It is using our inner faculties to contemplate and ponder upon the subtleties of the Soul. The Soul, the core substance to our being.

In the Quran, Allah often addresses the Soul. The Soul has various stages and states. The lowest stage or state is the ever-commanding Soul that tempts to evil. It calls to the demands of lust, uncontrollable desires and immoral behavior. It entertains and feeds the ego, a corrupted Soul. Then, there is the self-reproaching or self-conscious Soul that is corruptible but is accountable to its actions. Lastly, there is the tranquil Soul. The incorruptible Soul that has arrived at a state of calmness and constant peace forever content with Allah and Allah is content with it.

Thus, introspection allows us to identify, rectify and purify the state of our Soul. It is to hold ourselves accountable to our actions and behavior. It is an endless practice and process of cultivation of the Soul with a constant battle against ill-thoughts, evil-desires and the ego. It is a quest to be aware of our own shortcomings and the opportunity to improve.

Introspection is a reminder that our external actions are contingent on and beholden to the Soul. Our speech, conduct and character are a reflection of the qualities of our Soul manifested outwardly. The problems of the world is an extension of an egoistic society devoid of Soul. 

On the Day of Judgement, it is the Soul that is questioned and held accountable. Therefore, knowing our Soul and nurturing it is essential. Hopefully, this year I am able to practice introspection and awaken my Soul. God forbid, may I never forget Him that He makes me forget my own Soul.