Be Mindful: How to Practice Mindfulness in Your Daily Life

Radiant Teachings of Islam

Be Mindful

Mawlana Sayyid Samar al-Huda Yamani

Islam address the spiritual and material needs of human beings, offering them divine guidance for living peacefully in this life and the next. A perfect system which resonates with human nature, Islamic teachings lay the foundations for healthy social interactions and a positive personal life. By giving consideration to these teachings, we can improve our lives and the lives of others. One such teaching is that of mindfulness. Although we need to be mindful in general, some areas of life demand a greater degree of mindfulness.

Mindfulness in Thinking

Be mindful of your thoughts and do not make baseless assumptions about others. Assuming the worst about people is destructive and will poison your peace of mind. Allah Almighty states:

یٰۤاَیُّہَا الَّذِیۡنَ  اٰمَنُوا اجۡتَنِبُوۡا کَثِیۡرًا مِّنَ الظَّنِّ ۫  

“O believers! Avoid much suspicions.”^[1]

For example, if two people are talking and start laughing, then without any proof, a third person should not think that they are speaking about or laughing at him. Similarly, if you called someone and he did not answer your call, you should not have a bad opinion of him by assuming that he is intentionally not answering your call. It is possible that he might be in prayer, he might be driving or engaged in some important tasks.

Similarly, judging someone to be worthless on account of his outward physical appearance and clothing, is a wrong manner of thinking. It is possible that the person whose capability you are attempting to judge based on his outward appearance and clothing is more capable and skilled than you.

Mindfulness in Interactions

In social life we face many interactions with others, such as dealing with new people, travelling, business dealings, and weddings. One has to be mindful to carry out these interactions in the best manner possible. Just as the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said:

 اِلْتَمِسُو ا الْجارَ قَبْلَ شِرَاءِ الدَّارِ وَالرَّفِیْقَ قَبْلَ الطَّرِیْقِ

“Seek a ˹good˺ neighbour before purchasing a house and a ˹good˺ companion before travelling.”^[2]

After all, friends and environment have major impacts on us. When you wish to get married and start a family, investigate before you join ties because a new chapter will begin in a person’s life from this point. Similarly, before lending and borrowing, engaging in a partnership or business, or buying and selling, one should think deeply before making a decision to prevent regret later. Therefore, if you lend or borrow, do so whilst putting it in writing in the presence of witnesses. When making a business transaction, do so under the legal framework and take all precautions, because having reliance without implementing the means is not intelligence and opposes a religious mindset. It is for this reason that the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said to the camel owner, “Tie it (the camel) first, then put your trust in Allah.”^[3]

Mindfulness in Living

Be mindful of your diet, choosing healthy foods and not overeating. Eat on time, do not blow on food, and avoid very hot food. Resting on time allows your body to recover and promotes physical health. From time to time, review the state of your body. We should be mindful in everything we do. Even our walk should be firm and dignified, not sluggish.

Our conversations should be articulate, appropriate, and productive. Unmindful discourse is a sure way to humiliate oneself and cause great loss in this world and the next. Be a mindful citizen, observing the law for it protects society.

Mindfulness in Worship

Make sure that water flows over all the limbs that are obligatory to wash in wudu and ghusl. Also, take care in properly performing all the pillars of the prayer, such as bowing and prostration. The one who does not perform the pillars of the prayer correctly has been termed the “thief of prayer.”

Sayyidunā Abū Qaṭāda رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ narrates that the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, “The worst of thieves amongst the people is the one who steals in his salah.” It was asked, “O Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم! How does a person steal in his salah?” He صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم replied, “That a person does not complete bowing and prostration.”^[4] Likewise, we have been taught to take precautions in protecting our acts of worship from being ruined through ostentation, arrogance, etc.

The renowned spiritual guide and leader of Ahl al-Sunnah, Mawlana Ilyas Attar al-Qadiri دَامَـتْ بَـرَكَـاتُـهُـمُ الْـعَـالِـيَـهْ says, “A mindful person always remains at ease.”^[5] Therefore, to attain ease, wholeheartedly act upon the precautions laid down by Islam and adopt its illuminated teachings; by the mercy of Allāh Almighty, you will never grieve due to this. اِنْ شَــآءَالـلّٰـه