On Increasing Our Awareness of Allah

Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)

How do we increase our awareness of Allah in a place in which we are surrounded by those drowning in heedlessness and good company is rare?

We do this by reading the works and biographies of the pious, following their online lessons and connecting your heart to them are all types of companionship. Even if you are in a place where you are surrounded by the heedless and by disbelievers, you may attain some of the secrets of this company.

Also, if Allah allows for you to have presence when you are remembering Him, then you are sitting in the presence of the One you are remembering. Allah says in the hadith qudsi: “I am the companion of the one who remembers Me.”

You may also enter into the company of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ by truly loving him, bestowing abundant blessings upon him, by intending to follow him in everything you do, by reading his biography and by realising his greatness in the sight of Allah. Through keeping the company of the pious you prepare yourself to keep the company of the most pious of them (the Messenger of Allah) and then you are ready to be in the company of Allah through pure sincere servanthood.