How Can a Muslim Achieve Spiritual Presence Like What Christians Claim to Have?
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
Christians claim they feel the holy spirit’s presence when their body feels a burning sensation. This is one reason they strongly believe in their religion because this is something they can physically feel.
What is the Muslim response to this burning sensation? I know Christianity has many flaws, but this is the one thing that confuses me.
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your question.
Islam and Muslims have a rich tradition of spirituality, and it is a continuation from Prophet Adam (peace be upon him) until now and will remain till the last day. However, Islam is the final religion and combines all the previous prophets’ teachings into our beloved Prophet’s beautiful ways (sunnas) (Allah bless him and give him peace). In these ways, one can gain tremendous spiritual openings and feelings of closeness to Allah and His Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace).
These examples have been shown and followed by the companions, then by the followers, then by the followers of the followers, then the worshippers, ascetics, Sufi saints, and righteous Muslims until now and will do so until the last day.
Attend Circles of Knowledge and Remembrance
I would like you to attend circles of seeking knowledge with righteous scholars, attending local circles of remembrance, and befriending mindful believers; in this way, you will increase in faith (iman), actions, and mindfulness (taqwa), and return, you will gain an increase in deep spirituality, feeling of closeness with Allah and His Prophet. and true inner tranquility.
Allah Most High says, “O believers! Be mindful of Allah and be with the truthful.” [Quran, 9:119]
In another verse, “There will certainly be no fear for the close servants of Allah, nor will they grieve.” [Quran, 10:62]
Abu Hurayra (Allah be pleased with him) said that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Allah Most High said: ‘Whosoever shows enmity to someone devoted to Me, I shall be at war with him. My servant draws not near to Me with anything more loved by Me than the religious duties I have enjoined upon him, and My servant continues to draw near to Me with supererogatory works so that I shall love him. When I love him, I am his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes, and his foot with which he walks. Were he to ask (something) of Me, I would surely give it to him, and were he to ask Me for refuge, I would surely grant it to him. I do not hesitate about anything as much as I hesitate about (seizing) the soul of My faithful servant: he hates death, and I hate hurting him.’” [Bukhari]
Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Whoever travels a path in search of knowledge, Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise. People do not gather in the houses of Allah, reciting the book of Allah and studying it together, but that tranquility will descend upon them, mercy will cover them, angels will surround them, and Allah will mention them to those near him.” [Muslim]
Read and watch the links below, also subscribe to the many courses on spirituality along with attending physical circles of knowledge and remembrance. In time, you will gain what others have achieved and are gaining in sha Allah.
Related:
- Drawing Closer to Allah – Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad
- What is Islamic Spirituality? A Reader
- How to Have Spiritual Openings and See With the Light of Faith
- Can I Achieve High Spiritual Aspirations If I Work In a Worldly Sector?
- How Spiritual Transformation Is Achieved
- Spirituality Archives
- Purification of the Heart for Youth: Diseases of the Heart and Their Cure [Video]
- The Path of Muhammad: Birgivi’s Manual of Taqwa Explained [Video]
- Purification of the Heart: Signs, Symptoms, and Cures of the Spiritual Diseases of the Heart: Hamza Yusuf [Book]
Why not begin your search for knowledge by signing up for one of the following courses:
- Ibn’ Ata’Allah’s Key Aphorisms- The Quest for Spiritual Awakening
- Wisdoms for Youth: Aphorisms of Imam Haddad
- On Spirituality: Living the Sunna, Leaving Sin, and Acquiring Good Character
I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Mawlana Ilyas Patel is a traditionally-trained scholar who has studied in the UK, India, Pakistan, Syria, Jordan, and Turkey. He started his early education in the UK. He went on to complete the hifz of the Quran in India, then enrolled in an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied the secular and ‘Aalimiyya sciences. He then traveled to Karachi, Pakistan. He has been an Imam in Rep of Ireland for several years. He has taught hifz of the Quran, Tajwid, Fiqh, and many other Islamic sciences to children and adults onsite and online extensively in the UK and Ireland. He taught at a local Islamic seminary for 12 years in the UK, where he was a librarian and a teacher of Islamic sciences. He currently resides in the UK with his wife. His interest is a love of books and gardening.
