Contemplation is one of the greatest deeds performed by the heart; it is the key that opens the door that allows the light of guidance to enter; it is the initial step in the direction of correct understanding and comprehension; many people know its virtue but are unaware of its reality, essence and its fruits. Allaah Has commanded us to contemplate, but few do so. He also praises the few who actually do. Allaah says:
الذين يذكرون الله قياماً وقعوداً وعلى جنوبهم ويتفكرون في خلق السموات والأرض ربنا ما خلقت هذا باطلاً
which means: “[Those] Who remember Allaah while standing or sitting or [lying] on their sides and give thought to the creation of the heavens and the earth, [saying], 'Our Lord! You did not create this aimlessly…'”
[Aal ‘Imraan: 191]
‘Ataa’, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said: “‘Ubayd ibn ‘Umayr and I once went to visit ‘Aa’ishah, may Allaah be pleased with her, and when we arrived she spoke to us from behind a veil saying:
‘O ‘Ubayd! What stops from visiting me?’ He, may Allaah be pleased with him, replied: ‘The narration in which the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam said: “Visit at intervals, people would therefore like and miss you more.”
Then he asked her: ‘Tell us the most amazing thing that you experienced with the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam; she then wept and said:
‘All his affairs were amazing, but one night he came to me (i.e., it was her turn to spend the night with) and said to me:
“Do not interrupt me, for tonight I wish to worship my Lord.”
Then, he performed ablution, stood up in prayer, and cried until his beard was soaked; then, he went down into prostration and continued to cry until he soaked the floor, then, he concluded his prayer and laid down on his side until Bilaal, may Allaah be pleased with him, came to inform him that it was time for the Fajr prayer, and when Bilaal, may Allaah be pleased with him, saw his condition, he inquired: ‘O messenger of Allaah! Why do you cry so much when Allaah has forgiven all your past and future sins?’ He sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam replied:
“Some verses were revealed to me last night; woe to the one who recites them and does not contemplate over them!”
Then he sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam recited:
الذين يذكرون الله قياماً وقعوداً وعلى جنوبهم ويتفكرون في خلق السموات والأرض ربنا ما خلقت هذا باطلاً
which means:
““[Those] Who remember Allaah while standing or sitting or [lying] on their sides and give thought to the creation of the heavens and the earth, [saying], 'Our Lord! You did nor create this aimlessly…'”
[Aal ‘Imraan: 191]
