- Contemplation of the mighty works of Allah Most High; of the fleeting nature of this world, the terrors of the Hereafter and all that pertains to it; and of one’s own shortcomings so as to discipline the soul and guide it to uprightness.
Allah the Exalted says: “I admonish you with only one thing: stand for Allah, in pairs and singly, then reflect.” (Sabaʾ 34:46)
He also says: “Surely in the creation of the heavens and the earth and in the alternation of night and day there are signs for people of insight—those who remember Allah while standing, sitting, and lying on their sides, and who ponder the creation of the heavens and the earth, saying, ‘Our Lord, You have not created this in vain. Glory be to You! So protect us from the punishment of the Fire.’” (Āl ʿImrān 190–191)
And He says: “Do they not look at the camel—how it was created; at the sky—how it was raised; at the mountains—how they were set firm; and at the earth—how it was spread out? So remind them—for you are only a reminder.” (al-Ghāshiyah 17–21)
He further says: “Have they not traveled through the land and looked…?” (Muḥammad 47:10)
Verses on this subject are many.
Among the prophetic reports is the previously cited hadith: “The intelligent one is he who calls his soul to account…”
[Explanation]
Contemplation (tafakkur) means that a person engages his mind with a matter until he reaches a conclusion about it. Allah has commanded and encouraged such reflection in His Book because through it a person arrives at lofty objectives—faith and certainty.
Allah the Exalted says: “Say: I admonish you with only one thing…” (Sabaʾ 34:46). Say, O Muḥammad, to all people: I give you no exhortation except this single one; I present to you only this one admonition.