In this episode of For All Humans, we talk about spirituality, a key element in Islamic teachings. The Quran, the fundamental source of Islamic teaching, is composed of 114 surahs, or chapters. The first group of chapters revealed in Mecca during the earliest part of Muhammad’s career is mostly concerned with ethical and spiritual teachings, as well as the Day of Judgment. The chapters revealed later in Medina are primarily focused on social legislation and politico-moral principles for ordering the community.

When teaching and building a community, it’s crucial to start by cultivating their spirituality and ethos. Islam places great emphasis on the purification of the heart and soul. God tells us in the Quran, “Verily, he truly prospers who purifies himself and glorifies the name of the Guardian Lord.” As explained in an article on spiritual awakening, we are created in a very complex fashion, and our minds, hearts, and physical bodies are in constant fluctuation, vulnerable to imbalance. Thus, it’s an ongoing struggle to engage in contemplation and self-examination, continually striving to perfect our manners in relationships with ourselves, others, and above all, with our Lord.

Spirituality is a key component of any Islamic ritual. A precondition at the beginning of, and for the duration of, any act of ibadah (worship) is niyyah (intention). Niyyah is considered the spiritual core of an Islamic ritual, located in the heart, and the value of any act of worship— even if performed in accordance with the law—depends on the intention behind it. If the intention is sinful, the act becomes valueless.

Now, let’s look at the work of two professors of religion, Paul R. Powers and Frederick Denny, who have studied and published on the topic of Islamic spirituality. Paul R. Powers, an assistant professor of religious studies at Lewis and Clark College, presented his research on niyyah at the American Academy of Religion. In his article entitled Interiors, Intentions, and the Spirituality of Islamic Ritual Practice, he examines the fundamental role of spirituality in Islam. He emphasizes that Islam is about purifying one’s intention, rather than performing repetitive rituals with no spiritual component.

Frederick Denny, Professor Emeritus at the University of Colorado and editor of the University of South Carolina Press Scholarly Book Series Studies in Comparative Religion, highlights the centrality of niyyah, calling it the ethical and spiritual core of Islam. He cites the hadith, “Works are in the intentions,” which serves as a universal ethical principle among Muslims. Without niyyah, any act would be devoid of ethical meaning.

Both Powers and Denny agree that niyyah has been misunderstood by outside observers. Denny continues by describing niyyah as a form of communion with God. He explains that niyyah places one in the presence of the Creator, giving acts of Islamic ritual law their spiritual value.

Dhikr, or remembrance of God, is another key spiritual practice in Islam, and it serves as a means of drawing closer to God. God says in the Quran, “Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of God. Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah, hearts are assured.” In a study of Islamic spiritual teachings, Dr. Joachim Wach, a German religious scholar, referred to dhikr as the cultivation of divine presence within oneself. He explained that remembering God revives His image in one’s heart. A divine saying further assures Muslims of this spiritual relationship with God: “I am present in my servant’s thought of Me, and I am with him when he remembers Me.”

A study by German psychologists at the universities of Saarland and Mannheim found that prayer, in the form of dhikr, can reduce the likelihood of developing non-productive habits while carrying out mentally exhausting tasks. The meditative powers of dhikr are explored further in another episode of For All Humans.

Finally, spirituality in Islam is a lifelong endeavor—opening the heart, focusing the mind, and becoming conscious of God. Ralph Waldo Emerson, the American philosopher, once summarized spirituality as the relationship with God, nature, and humanity.

At For All Humans, we encourage you to make room in your busy life to cultivate these key relationships. We hope you enjoyed this episode. Let us know what you think in the comments section, and don’t forget to share this with your friends. Stay tuned for the next episode.